What does a psychologist do?

• A psychologist is trained to assess, diagnose and treat mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
• Health psychologists have training in helping manage the emotional and psychological challenges of coping with illness and its treatment, such as cancer.
• Psychologists are trained in using psychological treatments such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT).
• CBT is a type of therapy that helps people change thoughts (cognitions) and behaviour to help overcome stress or mental health issues.
• A Neuropsychologist is a type of psychologist who looks at how the brain is working treats cognitive (thinking) and psychological challenges having to do with to do with cancer and its treatment.

Why use a psychologist?

• You might be sent to a psychologist if you are having challenges coping with a cancer and need emotional support.
• You might also be sent to a psychologist if you need assessment or treatment of a mental health issue like anxiety or depression or sexual issues.
• Referrals are often made to psychologists for non-drug treatments such as Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT).
• CBT is a type of therapy that helps people change thoughts (cognitions) and behaviour to help overcome stress or mental health issues.

What social workers do:

• Social Workers can help you and your family deal with the psychological, emotional, social and practical concerns of cancer.
• A social worker can help you get financial support, connect with government programs and services or other supports you may need.

Why use a social worker?

• You may be sent to a social worker if you need financial help, help accessing government programs, or other community supports.
• Social workers can also give emotional support and counseling for yourself or your family.

What oncologists do:

• A medical doctor who focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.
• There are three types of oncologists: surgical, medical, and radiation.
• They can also help manage symptoms related to your cancer diagnosis and treatments.

Why use an Oncologist?

• You might be sent for a possible diagnosis of cancer, for treatment, and follow-up care.
• You can also be sent for the management of cancer-related symptoms like pain and nausea.

What radiation therapists do:

• Radiation therapists give the actual radiation treatment to cancer patients.

Why use an radiation therapist?

• Radiation therapists are seen during radiation therapy for cancer.

Who is my primary care?

• A medical doctor who is often your first medical contact.
• Family doctors give annual physicals, and can help you with a range of medical issues.
• They can send you to a specialist when needed.
• You may talk to your family doctor during cancer treatment for other health concerns or to help you manage your cancer symptoms.
• Your family doctor may also be involved in your follow-up care once you have finished cancer treatment.

Why use a primary care?

• Anyone can self-refer (send themselves) to a family doctor.
• Your family doctor is often the first medical contact when there is any medical concern or question.

What is a nurse?

• Nurses work in many healthcare settings like walk-in clinics, family doctors’ offices, and hospitals.
• They are work in the delivery of patient care.
• They may work closely with your oncologist in cancer care settings, and help manage your care and help you connect to medical services.

Why use a nurse?

• Nurses are part of most healthcare teams, including those in cancer clinics and other treatment settings.
• Nurses can help you manage treatment side-effects, give emotional support and help you cope with day to day issues in the hospital and at home.

What is a dietitian?

• Dietitians can help you learn which foods are the best to eat to help keep you healthier during your illness and treatments.
• They can suggest foods, and provide strategies to help you manage symptoms such as nausea, constipation and diarrhea.  

Why use a dietitian?

• You might be sent to dietitians when you are having troubles getting enough calories or vitamins due to illness symptoms or treatment side effects.

What is an occupational therapist?

• Occupational therapists work in many different settings like hospitals, rehabilitation centers, private clinics, and long term care.
• They can help you get back to previous activities like work, exercise, or activities of daily living such as cleaning your home, or other activities like bathing that may be more challenging after an illness.

Why use an occupational therapist?

• A referral to an Occupational Therapist is made when someone has experienced cancer and the symptoms have made activities harder to do.
• OT can help you find simpler ways to do activities of daily living using special aids and other tools.

What is a psychiatrist?

• A psychiatrist is a medical doctor focused on mental health.
• Psychiatrists can help find out what is causing distress, can diagnose, and treat mental health issues. Treatments can include both therapy (supportive therapy, CBT, etc.) and medication (medications for anxiety, depression, sleep problems or other mental health conditions).
• A psychiatrist who works in ‘psychosocial oncology’ has special training in the examining and treatment of mental health issues among patients living with cancer.

Why use a psychiatrist?

• You may be sent to a psychiatrist if your family doctor, surgeon, or oncologist feels it would be helpful to have a better  look at your mental health issues (such as anxiety, depression or sleep problems). You might also see a psychiatrist if you are feeling so stressed that it is hard to cope with illness and its treatment.
• Patients are often sent to psychiatrists when mental health issues are long lasting, complicated, or if medication and therapy might help.

What is a physiotherapist?

• A physiotherapist can help treat and help you recover after an injury or illness that has caused troubles with pain or movement. They can help build strength and movement to stop future injury. They can also help in treating lymphedema (a build up of fluid in your body).

Why use a physiotherapist?

• You may be sent to a physiotherapist to help manage or help you get stronger and recover after surgery or illness.
• Physiotherapists in cancer settings often give special treatments for issues like lymphedema (a build up of fluid in your body) or urinary incontinence (troubles with your bladder).

What is a spiritual care professional?

• Spiritual care professionals help patients and families with their spiritual health
• Spiritual care professionals are multi-faith, non-denominational health care professionals focused on helping patients and families discover and/or draw on their spiritual resources
• Spiritual care professionals helps patients and families explore life’s ‘big questions’ (meaning, purpose, legacy) that often arise when facing a cancer diagnosis
• Spiritual care professionals provide emotional support to patients and families.
• Spiritual care professionals have advanced training in helping patients and families address spiritual distress

Why use a spiritual care professional?

• Spiritual care professionals are a part of your healthcare team and can be found at most cancer centres.
• Spiritual care professionals You can also request to be connected with a spiritual care provider.
• Cancer diagnosis often effects our sense of meaning and purpose, you may want to seek out the support of a Spiritual Care Professional

What is an SLP?

• A Speech Language Pathologist can help assess and treat challenges with speech or swallowing.

Why use an SLP?

• You may be sent to a Speech Language Pathologist if you are having challenges with spoken or written communication, or with swallowing.

What is a volunteer?

• A volunteer can play many important roles in hospitals, cancer clinics or other organizations.
• They give their time to support individuals touched by cancer.

Why use a volunteer?

• Volunteers often serve as greeters,   give basic information about services or directions, can spend time with someone who is alone, or help give distraction.