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A cancer diagnosis can be traumatic. As treatment begins,
your personal and family life may undergo a major disruption.
It is normal to feel stress, anxiety, sadness, anger or a
sense of a loss of control.
Finding someone to talk to is important – someone you
can trust and who can help you sort through your thoughts
and feelings. Our Supportive
Care staff provide confidential counseling and supportive
care to cancer patients and their families, free of cost.
We can Help
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Our counsellors are available to help you adjust to living with
cancer, develop strategies for managing your reactions and
the responses of those around you, address family issues,
confront practical problems and learn other ways to cope.
Our counsellors have backgrounds in psychology, social work
and pastoral care, and are trained in individual, family,
and group counseling. A number of support groups for patients,
families and friends are offered throughout the year. |
Our counsellors can also
help you:
- Find information
- Make travel arrangements
- Secure drug coverage
- Apply for income replacement benefits
- Manage an array of other concerns and issues
- Deal with past losses and grief
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The Supportive Care team also includes a dietitian, a smoking
cessation counsellor and a consulting psychiatrist.
Making an Appointment
Patients, family members and friends are encouraged to make
an appointment by calling Supportive Care at (807)
684-7310 or Toll-Free at (877) 696-7223.
Your family physician can call and make a referral, or you
can place the call yourself and request an appointment. The
secretary will be pleased to arrange one for you.
Counselling is free and available at any time during initial
diagnosis, treatment, and during the months and years following
treatment. Sometimes people come to us years after experiencing
the loss of a loved one.
A number of support groups for patients and families are held
weekly. You are very welcome to join us. The groups are kept
small and the support and camaraderie are wonderful.
Sometimes people simply want to talk on the phone for a few
minutes to see whether the services that are available might
suit their needs. Please don't hesitate to call and leave
a message. One of us will get back to you and will speak with
you over the phone. An appointment can then be made if necessary.
Additionally, through our North Network connectivity, if
you are from the region, we can set up a videoconference with
one of our counsellors to ensure that you are still receiving
the care and support you need without having to leave your
home town. We can also provide you with information about
TBayTel Tamarack House, our
lodge for regional residents who need to stay in Thunder Bay
for cancer treatment.
Meet our Staff
There are a number of people in our department who can help
you with your cancer journey. Click on a name below to learn
more about them.
Nicotine Dependence Centre
Cancer patients undergoing treatment at Regional Cancer Care
can find the support they need to quit smoking at the Nicotine
Dependence Centre. This successful program is free for cancer
patients and their immediate family, and of only minimal cost
to the general public. Click
here to learn more.
Where to find Us
Supportive Care is located on the third floor of the cancer
centre, just down the hall from main reception. For more information
please call 684-7310 or toll free (877)
696-7223.
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