princess margaret cancer centre patient & family … · 2016-11-04 · a guide to survivorship...

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Library Corner: By Michelle Snow, Librarian, Patient & Family Education, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Connect with us about your health information needs Do you need information about your cancer, an upcoming test or treatment, healthy living tips, or about resources available in the hospital or in your community? The Patient & Family Library has a collection pamphlets, books, videos and DVD’s aimed at helping you to learn more about, and improve, your health. Reach out to us – we’re here to help.

New books from the library collection:How to Help Your Friend with Cancer by Colleen Dolan Fullbright

Cooking through Cancer Treatment to Recovery by Lisa A. Price

and Susan Gins

The Art of Calm by Rebecca Ascher-Walsh

Hysterectomy: Exploring Your Options by Edward E. Wallach,

Esther Eisenberg, Isabel Green and Stacey A. Scheib

The Modern Laryngectomee by Katrina M. Jensen

A Guide to Survivorship for Women Who Have Ovarian Cancer

by Robert E. Bristow, Terri L. Cornelison and F. J. Montz

New UHN Pamphlets:

Library Corner

Lunch and Learn Health Talk: Ovarian Cancer Screening

Understand when to get blood work done before you have Systemic Therapy (including Chemotherapy) at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Patient & Family Education NewsP R I N C E S S M A R G A R E T C A N C E R C E N T R E

Know about your blood work

Read this resource to learn:

• Why you need blood work before chemotherapy

• When you need to have your blood work done

• Where you can have your blood work done

For patients getting chemotherapy at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Please visit the UHN Patient Education website for more health information: www.uhnpatienteducation.ca© 2016 University Health Network. All rights reserved. This information is to be used for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for non-commercial personal use only.

Author: Systemic Therapy GroupCreated: 09/2016Form: D-8635

Princess Margaret

What you need to know about travelling if you have a brain tumour


• What you need to know before you decide to travel

• What are the medical risks of travelling with a brain tumour

• What you need to do if you decide to travel

• Questions to ask your health care team

For people affected by a primary brain tumour


Authors: Ilyse Lax, Cheryl Kanter and Maureen DanielsCreated: 09/2016Form: D-8634

Princess Margaret

Support to help children and youth cope with the death of a loved one

Books

You can find all the books listed below at the Magic Castle or at Princess Margaret Patient and Family Library on the main floor.

Children all ages

Lifetimes by Bryan Mellonie and Robert IngpenLifetimes is a book that parents and family members can use to explain life and death. The book talks about beginnings and endings. The book helps children understand that dying is as much a part of living as being born.

When Dinosaurs Die by Laurie Krasnie Brown and Mark BrownThis book helps young children understand what death means and how to cope with their feelings. This book can help parents and family members find the right words to use when talking to children about death.

Children ages 2-5

Good bye Mousie by Robie Harris, Illustrated by Jan OrmerodThis picture book helps young children understand about loss and grief through the story of a young boy whose pet mouse died.

This resource has information for parents and other family members to support children and youth with feelings of grief.


Author: Alketa Kumbaro and Michelle SnowCreated: 06/2016Form: D-8595

Princess Margaret

Visit the library: Hours: Monday to Thursday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Fridays 8:30 am – 4:00 pm

Location: Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Main floor, Atrium

Phone: 416-946-4501 x 5383

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.library.theprincessmargaret.ca

Youtube: www.youtube.com/uhnpatienteducation

Lunch and Learn Health Talk: Ovarian Cancer ScreeningSummary by Aileen Trang, Cancer Education and Research

Coordinator

On September 27, 2016, Cailey Crawford, Ontario Regional Director of Ovarian Cancer Canada, spoke at the Lunch and Learn Health Talk about the risks, symptoms and screening for Ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancerOvarian cancer is when cancer forms in the ovaries, the reproductive glands found in women.

Ovarian cancer is commonly diagnosed lateThe reason why Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed late is because:

1. There is no reliable screening test Did you know, 44% of Canadians believe a PAP test can detect ovarian cancer? Truth: PAP tests detect changes in your cervix.

2. There is no vaccine to prevent ovarian cancer Did you know, 24% of Canadians believe the HPV vaccine protects them against Ovarian cancer? Truth: The HPV vaccine protects against some Cervical cancers.

3. Ovarian cancer can spread quickly and suddenly

4. Diagnostic tests are not always accurate

5. Symptoms are vague

Symptoms of Ovarian cancerThe most common symptoms include:

• Bloating

• Feeling full quickly or loss of appetite

• Abdominal or pelvic pain/discomfort

• Urinary changes, like peeing more often or feeling the need to pee more urgently

Other less common symptoms include:

• Fatigue or tiredness

• Gas, nausea and indigestion

• Changes in bowel habits

• Irregular menstrual periods

• Weight loss or gain

Cailey says that women are used to their bodies undergoing change, from menstrual cycle to menopause. That is why it can be difficult to tell when the symptoms are part of normal changes and when women should see their doctors. Cailey advises that you should check with your doctor if the symptoms are:

• New

• Frequent

• Persistent (about 3 weeks)

Increased risk of Ovarian cancer and what you can doThere are certain things that can increase your risk of Ovarian cancer:

• Being over 50 years in age

• Strong family history of Breast, Ovarian, Uterine or Colorectal cancers.

• Being of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, as this increases your chances of having a BRCA gene mutation

• Having a BRCA1 or 2 gene mutation or Lynch Syndrome

If you have a strong family and/or personal history of Ovarian or Breast cancer, consider seeing a genetic counsellor to test for BRCA1/BRCA2. If you have a strong family and/or personal history of Ovarian, Uterine or Colorectal cancers, consider seeing a genetic

counsellor to test for Lynch Syndrome. These genetic mutations increase your risk of Ovarian cancer but there are things you can do to greatly reduce your risk of developing Ovarian cancer.

Recent research has shown that the most common form of Ovarian cancer (high grade serous epithelial ovarian cancer) may come from the fallopian tubes. Health care providers have suggested that women who are getting gynecologic surgery for non-cancer reasons (like tubal ligation or removal of the uterus) should talk to their doctor about removing the fallopian tubes as a preventative measure for ovarian cancer.

Missed the talk? Want to hear more information from the talk?Visit www.thePrincessMargaret.ca/LunchAndLearn to watch this presentation and past Lunch and Learn Health Talks.

Thank you to Cailey for such an interesting and informative talk.

Thank you to Starbucks for providing coffee and tea.

Understand when to get blood work done before you have Systemic Therapy (including Chemotherapy) at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre is dedicated to offering the highest level of patient safety and quality of care. Patients coming to Princess Margaret for Systemic Therapy (including

Chemotherapy) will need to have their blood work done two (2) days before their treatment appointment or one (1) day before treatment for weekly chemo. Read this article to learn more about what this means for you.

Why do I need to have blood work done before every systemic therapy appointment?It is important that you have blood work done before every systemic therapy (including chemotherapy) appointment. This is to make sure it is safe for you to have your treatment. Your healthcare team will review your blood work before you are given your treatment. If your blood counts are too high or too low, it may not be safe to get your treatment.

Why do I need my blood work done either one (1) day or two (2) days before my treatment?When you have your blood work done one (1) or two (2) days before your treatment appointment, your health care team can review your blood counts. They will be able to tell you if it is safe to proceed with your treatment or if your treatment needs to be booked for another day. Having your blood work done early:

• will improve flow in the clinic

• may reduce your wait time

• will help you better plan your daily activities around your treatment

Do I need to come to the hospital to have my blood work done?You can have your blood work done at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre’s Blood Lab (located on the main floor). The blood lab is open Monday to Friday 7:00am – 5:00pm. For your ease, you may also be able to have your blood work done at a community lab close to your home. Speak to someone on your healthcare team to find out if this option would work for you.

Where can I get more information about getting blood work done before treatment at Princess Margaret?For more information about what this means for you, read the pamphlet “Know about Your Blood Work”. You can also speak to someone on your healthcare team if you have questions.

Know about your blood work


• Why you need blood work before chemotherapy

• When you need to have your blood work done

• Where you can have your blood work done

For patients getting chemotherapy at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre


Author: Systemic Therapy GroupCreated: 09/2016Form: D-8635

Princess Margaret

The information contained in this newsletter is to be used for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for non-commercial personal use only.

© University Health Network - Princess Margaret Hospital - Patient and Family Library - 2016

Patient & Survivorship Education Editor: Grace Salmon, Administrative Assistant, Patient Education | Editorial Board: Nazek Abdelmutti, Daniela Fierini, Janet Papadakos, Michelle Snow, Aileen Trang | Graphic Artist: Kristin Foster | Please forward comments, questions or submissions to [email protected] Patient Education and Survivorship Programs are supported by the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.

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“When you’ve had cancer, every day is a gift.”

“ Thanks to the groundbreaking research, the care of Dr. Messner and the compassion of the whole team at The Princess Margaret, I’m here today.”

See Chris Taylor’s story at www.thepmcf.ca

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–Chris Taylor

princess margaret cancer centre patient & family … · 2016-11-04 · a guide to survivorship...

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