Cancer Care (Oncology)

If you are concerned about your health, please talk with your family physician or primary health care provider. You may then be referred to us for testing and follow-up treatment if needed.

Cancer can be a difficult and stressful illness. Many people experience distress during their cancer experience. This is because cancer affects more than just your body – it can affect many parts of your life such as your emotions, your work, your finances, and your relationship with your family and friends. Distress can be described in many ways. Some people describe stress as a general feeling of discomfort or upset.

To better understand how you are feeling and coping with your cancer, your health care team will ask you to complete a short survey between your first visit with the oncologist and your first cancer drug treatment or radiation treatment. Your answers will help us provide you with the best care possible. This information will become part of your health record. It will be available to your health care team.

Most people meet the oncologist for the first time in an oncology clinic. A few people may meet the oncologist for the first time as an in-patient. It helps to be prepared for your first visit to the oncology clinic. Please bring the following with you:

• your Medicare card
• all your medications, so that the nurse can review them with you
• the names and telephone numbers (work and home) of two personal contact people
• your health history, such as surgeries and medical conditions
• a list of any allergies that you may have
• any questions you may have (we suggest writing these down)
• a friend or family member (Note: If requested, an interpreter may be booked when contacted by the oncology clinic with your appointment.)

Please contact your health care provider at any stage of your cancer care journey should you have any questions or concerns. This is applicable for patients who are part of the Oncology Service. Once patients are discharged from the Oncology Service, they would go through their primary health care provider (family physician, nurse practitioner, etc.). If you have an urgent health need, the following options are available:

If you have a medical emergency, please call 911 or proceed to your nearest Emergency Department.

Call Tele-Care 811 for health advice from a registered nurse.

Clinical Trials:

• Canadian Cancer Trials
• Find a Clinical Trial at Horizon

When consulted to the oncology program, you will have the opportunity to meet with the facility’s patient educator. Education can be provided one-on-one or in a group setting depending on availability. During this time the patient educator will go over typical treatment side effects, what to expect when undergoing treatment, and life during/after your cancer journey.

Types of Cancer:

• Breast (bccancer.bc.ca)
• Gastrointestinal Cancer (bccancer.bc.ca)
• Genitourinary Cancer (bccancer.bc.ca)
• Gynecology (bccancer.bc.ca)
• Head and Neck Cancer (bccancer.bc.ca)
• Horizon’s Stem Cell Transplant 
• Lung Cancer (bccancer.bc.ca)
• Lymphoma, Chronic Leukemia, Myeloma (bccancer.bc.ca)
• Neuro-Oncology (bccancer.bc.ca)
• Primary Unknown (bccancer.bc.ca)
• Skin Cancer (bccancer.bc.ca)
• Musculoskeletal and Sarcoma (bccancer.bc.ca)