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Welcome
The Chemotherapy Treatment Unit at The Ottawa Hospital offers systemic therapy to patients living with cancer.
About systemic therapy
Systemic therapy is a term to describe several different kinds of cancer therapy:
Chemotherapy
Uses medicines to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. Many different kinds of medicines are used to cure or control the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Immunotherapy
Uses your body’s immune system to fight cancer. It tells your body’s immune system to attack and get rid of cancer cells.
Hormonal therapy
Can kill cancer cells or slow their growth by using medications that stop the body’s ability to make hormones or change how hormones work in the body.
Systemic therapy is given in cycles
A cycle includes days of treatment and days of rest. Treatment days allow the medicine to target and fight cancer cells, while the rest days allow your body time to build new healthy cells and regain strength before receiving another cycle of treatment.
Which treatment is right for me?
The kind of treatment you get depends on the kind of cancer you have and if your cancer has spread to other parts of your body, if you have had surgery or other cancer treatment before, and your overall health.
Your appointments
How to cancel or change your appointment
Due to high patient volumes, we may not be able to accommodate your request for appointment changes.
Your first appointment
If this is your first treatment, a clerk will contact you for your first treatment appointment.
If you have ongoing treatment, your nurse will give you an After Visit Summary, which should include your next appointment date and time. If it does not, a clerk will contact you with details of your next appointment.
You can see booked appointments on MyChart.
How long will my appointment be?
- Each person is different, so each treatment plan is unique. Treatment appointments can range between 30 mins to eight hours long.
- Some drugs can be prepared ahead of time, while others must be prepared at the time of your appointment. Preparing your drug in the pharmacy can take up to two hours.
- Because your dose is specific to you and your type of cancer, the pharmacy technicians must make sure that they prepare your drugs exactly as your doctor ordered.
How should I prepare for my appointment?
1. Watch this video
We will also email the link to this video to you when you are scheduled for your first treatment appointment.
2. Do blood tests
Blood tests need to be done one to two days before your treatment appointment. This gives your health-care team enough time to check if it's safe to give you the treatment your doctor ordered. If your blood tests are not done, your treatment appointment may be delayed or cancelled.
You can get your blood tests done at the following lab locations at The Ottawa Hospital.
General Campus, Cancer Centre Lab
Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Riverside Campus, Main Floor
Monday to Friday, 7:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Civic Campus, Parkdale Clinic
Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Irving Greenberg Family Cancer Centre, Main Floor, next to Module F
Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
You can also get your blood test done at a lab in the community (such as LifeLabs and Dynacare). Ask your doctor or nurse for a requisition if you plan to have blood tests done outside of the hospital.
3. Arrange for a ride home
Getting a ride home can be helpful, especially for after your first treatment appointment.
4. Drink six to eight glasses of water the day before your appointment
Remember to limit coffee and tea.
5. Fill your prescriptions and bring medications to your treatment appointment
You may be given prescriptions for medications to take at home (such as anti-nausea pills or steroids). Bring these medications with you to each treatment appointment.
If you have questions about how to take these medications, call the Patient Support Line
613-771-5444, option 4
On the day of your appointment
- Bring your new prescriptions and any medications you usually take during the day (e.g.: pain medicine or insulin) to your appointment.
- Bring your OHIP card or other health card.
- Wear loose fitting and comfortable clothing.
- Avoid scented products like perfume.
- Bring a refillable water bottle.
- Bring snacks or a lunch, but avoid foods with strong smells as they may bother others.
- Bring personal items to pass the time, like a book or tablet/laptop with headphones. Free Wi-Fi is available (no password needed).
- Bring up to one support person (no children under 16).
- Review Visiting the Hospital for more information.
After your appointment
Go to your clinic follow-up visit
You will have regular follow-ups with your cancer doctor and nurse in the clinic. These follow-ups should be scheduled up to a week before your treatment appointment.
At your clinic follow-up visit, remember to:
- Report any new or worsening side effects to your doctor or nurse. They will monitor how your body is responding to treatment and adjust the plan of care if needed.
- Ask for prescriptions or refills.
- Go over your upcoming appointments, scans and blood test results.
- Ask any questions you have.
We recommend keeping a notebook with you to take notes. You will not see your cancer doctor during your treatment appointment.
Help with side effects
Cancer Care Ontario maintains series of symptom guides to help with various side effects.
Contact us
Patient support line
613-771-5444, option 4
Leadership team
Natalie Smith, RN, Clinical Manager
613-737-8899 ext. 25328
Gillian Purdy, RN, Clinical Leader
343-543-0044