Areas of Care

Cancer Program

Cancer Program

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Welcome to the Cancer Centre

Your first visit to the Cancer Centre is an important step in your care. You’ll meet members of your health-care team, learn about your diagnosis and begin planning treatment. We know this can feel overwhelming, so we’ve prepared information to help you feel ready, supported and informed before you arrive.

Things to do

It’s important for your health care team to know about any medicines you are using. Your local pharmacist can help you make a complete list.  This list should include:  

  • Prescription drugs.  
  • Any over-the-counter drugs you take, like cold medication or pain relievers.  
  • Vitamins or mineral supplements.  
  • Herbal and natural health products.

Your family physician or other referring doctor might give you a package with a CD or DVD of your medical images (like x-rays, CT scans, MRIs or ultrasounds). If you have this package, it is very important to bring it to your first appointment.

This includes information about past surgeries, heart attacks, strokes and allergies. 

Check the directions to the hospital to feel confident about your trip before you leave for your appointment. 

This can help you understand your situation better.  Here are some examples of questions you may want to consider.  Not all will apply to you, but they should help get you started.  

  • What kind of cancer do I have?  
  • Where is the cancer located? 
  • Has the cancer spread beyond where it started?  
  • What’s the cancer’s stage? What does that mean?  
  • Will I need other tests before deciding on treatment?  
  • What are my treatment choices?  
  • What treatment do you recommend and why?  
  • What’s the goal of my treatment?  
  • What is my prognosis (long-term outcome)?  
  • Should I think about genetic testing?  
  • Should I think about taking part in a clinical trial?  

You may be asked to be at the Cancer Centre up to 30 minutes before your appointment begins to complete any necessary paperwork and to be assessed by a nurse prior to seeing your physician. This process helps us collect important information and ensures your visit runs smoothly.

Things to bring

  • Your health card (OHIP) or another government-issued photo ID.  
  • Contact information for your pharmacist and family doctor or nurse practitioner.  
  • Any medical documents or images your doctor gave you.  
  • A complete list of medications, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and herbal products.  
  • A list of questions you want to ask your health-care team.  
  • A snack or drink, and something to read in case you are asked to wait.
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Checking in

When you arrive at the Cancer Centre, please register at the reception desk of the department where your appointment is taking place.

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Our volunteers

Volunteers in blue jackets are at the Cancer Centre to greet you, guide you through check-in, help you find your way and offer a calm, friendly presence. 

During your first visit

Your first visit to the Cancer Centre will be a consultation.  Your doctor will review test results, examine you and talk to you about your treatment options.  

A specially-trained cancer nurse will talk to you about your health history, check your height and weight, and teach you how to manage things like medications and side effects.    

The length of your visit may vary depending on whether additional tests are needed and how many members of your health-care team you meet.  

It’s uncommon to receive treatment during your first visit, but if your doctor recommends it, they will discuss it with you at your appointment.  

A team of health-care professionals will care for you, including doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists and others. The number and type of professionals on your health-care team depends on your individual needs.  

We are a teaching hospital

The Ottawa Hospital is a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Ottawa. You may receive care from students or trainees who are learning under the supervision of experienced staff. A cancer doctor (oncologist) oversees your care and assigns responsibilities based on each team member’s level of training. While your oncologist may not attend every appointment, you can always ask to speak with them about your care.

Being treated at a teaching hospital means you benefit from the latest research, access to new treatments and a team committed to advancing cancer care through education and clinical trials.

Learn More About our Cancer Research

Two individuals wearing white lab coats work together in a busy laboratory setting.

MyChart

At your first visit, your health-care team will explain how to register for MyChart—a free, secure website and app where you can view your medical records, appointment details and test results. You may also receive questionnaires to help guide your care.  

Test results often appear in MyChart as soon as they’re available. You can adjust your settings to delay results or hold specific ones until you’ve discussed them with your health care team. Choose the preferences that support your comfort and understanding.  

For more information, visit the MyChart page.

During treatment

The treatment phase of your cancer experience will be tailored to the type of cancer you have, the stage of cancer, and your specific needs.  Remember that no two experiences are the same.  Your care team will guide you through each step and provide the information you need based on the type of treatment you are prescribed.

Appointments and tests

Before starting treatment and throughout your cancer journey, you will need to undergo various tests and attend multiple appointments. These are essential to help your health-care team confirm your diagnosis, determine which treatments are most appropriate for you, monitor how well your body is responding, and adjust your care as needed. While it may feel overwhelming at times, each step is important to ensure you receive the safest and most effective care possible. 

Blood work

If you need blood work as part of your cancer treatment, there is a dedicated blood lab in the Cancer Centre at the General Campus specifically for cancer patients.

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