Psychosocial Oncology Team
The diagnosis and treatment of cancer can be very difficult and overwhelming. You and your family member/partner-in-care will have questions and concerns. It may be helpful for you to talk to a member of the Psychosocial Oncology Team. Click here to watch a video to learn about the support the Psychosocial Oncology Team can offer you.
Dietitian
Eating is not always easy when you are undergoing cancer treatments. Nutrition is an important part of your cancer care. A dietitian can work with you to meet your individual needs and preferences.
We can help you:
- Manage symptoms or side effects that affect your eating.
- Maintain your weight and muscles.
- Stay hydrated.
- Find foods you enjoy and tolerate.
- Answer questions and concerns about nutrition, diet and supplements.
Nutrition can be a confusing topic. A dietitian can offer you nutrition advice based on research. Ask any member of your healthcare team for a referral to a dietitian.
Speech Language Pathologist (SL-P)
Swallowing problems can be caused by your cancer diagnosis affecting your ability to eat. You may also have changes to your voice and ability to talk.
A speech language pathologist can help you:
- Answering your questions and concerns.
- Offer information on how to manage swallowing problems.
- Finding foods and liquids you can safely eat and drink.
- Referring you to other members of the healthcare team if needed.
Social Worker
A social worker is a trained counsellor. We can help you and your family member/partner-in-care with challenges during your cancer care and treatment.
This includes how to:
- Cope with your diagnosis
- Manage your feelings of fear, anxiety, sadness, anger or sense of loss
- Support your sexual health concerns
- Manage changes in your relationships because of cancer
We can also provide you with information on:
- Advance care planning
- Financial supports
- Community programs
We want to help you and your family member/partner-in-care take an active role in adjusting to life with cancer.
The BETTER Clinic
Are you feeling anxious or depressed? Do you have worries or concerns that are hard to manage? It can be very difficult and overwhelming for you to live with a diagnosis of cancer. You may be unsure of what to expect or do next.
To support you with the changes in your emotions, we have the BETTER Clinic (Building Emotional Therapies Through Education and Relationships). At this clinic, you will first speak with a social worker. The social worker will talk with you about how you are feeling and give you information on what you can do to manage your worries and concerns. Together, the social worker and psychiatrist will work with you to plan for the next steps in your care. You will be given information about supports and resources in the community that may help you.
Ask a member of your healthcare team for a referral to the BETTER Clinic.
Our contact information
To make an appointment with a dietitian, speech language pathologist or social worker call: 905-576-8711 or 1-866-338-1778 at extension 33282.
To learn more about the BETTER Clinic please talk to a member of your health care team.