Cancer Patient Navigation

This service supports clients and their families by:

• providing accurate information for patients so they can make informed decisions about their next steps
• helping patients prepare for tests and cancer treatments by explaining test results and treatment choices or by referring patients to other resources or services
• improving coordination of care by working with other healthcare providers
• helping patients prepare for medical visits by explaining ahead of time what to expect
• helping patients access financial resources and community supports

Cancer Treatment and Care - Cancer Care Centres

Cancer centres are located within local regional hospitals / health centres. They deliver a range of treatments and care options to cancer patients as close to home as possible, including outpatient chemotherapy, education, navigation, and support.

Contact a centre for information or educational material related to cancer.

Chemotherapy / Systemic Cancer Locations

This service uses systemic treatment (anti-cancer medicine) to treat cancer. This may include:

• immunotherapy
• chemotherapy
• targeted therapy
• hormonal therapy
• radiation therapy

Classes and / or resources are available.

Lymphoma Diagnosis Program

The Lymphoma Diagnosis Program's role is to support patients with presentations that have a high likelihood of being a lymphoma diagnosis and expedite their care from the point of suspicion through diagnostic work-up, staging, definitive diagnosis and eventual consult with an oncologist.

This program works to ensure people with lymphoma get faster access to treatment. The program seeks to improve the patient journey, patient outcomes and standardize care delivery across the province.
Services provided by the program include:

• coordination of diagnostic and staging investigations
• care coordination by nurses who are specialized in lymphoma
• timely consults with oncologist / hematologist
• patient education and supportive care to assist with decisions about treatment options

Nutrition Counselling - Cancer

Nutrition plays a key role in providing the best care to cancer patients for prevention, symptom control, treatment and quality of life. Registered Dietitians provide patients and their families with expertise in the field of nutrition care including:

• nutrition assessment
• counselling and education available in individual and group formats
• nutrition classes

Related services:

• Power of Nutrition During Cancer Treatment
• Nutriton Myths and Cancer

Outpatient Cancer Drug Benefit Program

Cancer drugs are provided, without charge, to registered Alberta cancer patients through specific locations in the province.

Please refer to the Alberta Health Services Cancer Drug Benefit Program.

Psychosocial Oncology

This service provides help for patients and their family with coping with the stress that often comes with a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Taking care of your emotional, social, spiritual and practical well-being is an important part of your treatment plan and coping.

We are a part of your oncology treatment team. We offer different types of programs and services to support your wellbeing;

• Individual, couple and family counselling
• Professionally-led support groups
• Practical support for your finances and other basic needs
• Classes and programs

Availability of programs and services changes depending on the cancer centre.

Services may be available via telephone, online platform (Zoom) or at your healthcare centre through Telehealth.

Pamphlets:

• Adolescent & Young Adult (AYA) Patient Navigation
• Cancer Care Drug Coverage
• Counselling and Support
• Indigenous Cancer Patient Navigator
• Oncology and Sexuality, Intimacy & Survivorship (OASIS)

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These services include:

• answering incoming telephone calls
• transferring telephone calls and
• giving out authorized telephone numbers