41 Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury ON P3E 5J1
Telephone: 705-522-6237 or 1-877-228-1822
Fax: 705-523-7328
Website: www.neorcc.on.ca
The Regional Cancer Program (RCP) of the Hôpital régional de Sudbury Regional Hospital (HRSRH) is one of fourteen cancer programs in Ontario. The RCP is a Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) partner. Our facility serves a population of more than 600,000 in northeastern Ontario and our staff sees more than 3,000 new patients each year.
In addition to full chemotherapy and radiation therapy programs, staff offer a comprehensive range of support services to cancer patients and their families. This includes the services of dietitians, social workers, speech language pathologists, physiotherapists and a dental oncology team. Patient information sessions and a Patient Library are also available for patients and their family members.
For more information about treatment and services, please refer to our Information for Patients and Families binder, which is available at your first visit and at any time through our website: http://www.neorcc.on.ca/neorcc/uploads/English Document May 2004.pdf
For many regional patients, chemotherapy treatment is delivered closer to home, when approved by their oncologist, at one of our partner Community Oncology Chemotherapy Network sites. The centre also arranges peripheral clinics in Timmins, North Bay and Sault Ste Marie where the oncologist can continue to follow the patient after treatment and makes use of videoconference technology, where available, to continue follow up care. Ask your oncologist or primary nurse if these services are appropriate for your care.
Your Treatment
There are two different types of treatment that we offer at the Centre. The decision as to which type will be used for your illness will be made by your oncologists (cancer doctors) and discussed with you. Your nurse and oncologist will tell you about the physical impact of your disease, medical procedures, the types of treatment you will receive, and their possible side effects.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to damage cancer cells. Chemotherapy treatments are usually repeated over a period of months to damage as many cancer cells as possible.
Your type of cancer and its location will determine what drugs you will need and how you take them. Some chemotherapy drugs are given as pills, to be taken by mouth; others may be injected into muscles; while others are injected directly into your veins. At the Centre, most drugs are given by injection into a vein.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy involves the use of X-rays, Gamma rays, and electrons in the treatment of cancer. The radiation used is similar to X-rays used in the diagnosis of disease, except that a much larger dose is used for cancer treatment.
Like regular X-rays, the radiation used in cancer therapy cannot be seen or felt. The amount we use does not kill all the cancer cells right away. Instead, radiation damages their ability to reproduce because they are injured more readily than normal, healthy cells.
For more information about chemotherapy and radiation therapy, please refer to our Information for Patients and Families binder, which is available at your first visit and at any time through our website: http://www.neorcc.on.ca/neorcc/uploads/English Document May 2004.pdf
Support Services Offered
Dental Oncology Clinic
Many cancer treatments can affect your mouth. That is why it is important that you have a healthy mouth and teeth to reduce any side effects that may occur. We emphasize preventing treatment side effects, so even if you have had regular dental care, visit us before and during treatment.
Nutrition Services
Dietitians are available to help patients eat despite their illness and treatments. We are a source of reliable information on food, vitamins, minerals and alternative therapies. Services are available on an individual and group basis for adults and children.
Psychosocial Resources
Social Workers can help individuals and families deal with the emotional, social and practical impact of illness. Individual, family and group services are available for adults and children.
Physiotherapy and Speech Language Pathology
The Physiotherapist can help patients with reduced physical ability from having cancer, or as a result of cancer treatment, with special training in treating lymphedema. Speech Language Pathologists assist patients who have undergone a laryngectomy (voice box removal) from having cancer. A referral can be made by any of your health care team members, by you or a family member. Most services are available in both French and English.
Cancer Genetics
The Genetics Counselling Services offer genetic counselling and testing for eligible individuals who have a strong family and/or personal history of cancer. A physician referral is not required. For more information call 705-675-4786.
Patient Library
The RCP’s Patient Library is available to anyone who would like to borrow books and videos from the collection, or read reference material, magazines and newsletters or learn to search the Internet. The Library helps patients, their families and other individuals and agencies to better understand how to control cancer and how it affects the people of northeastern Ontario.
Community Resource Collections
Community resource centres are located throughout northeastern Ontario. These collections are located in 18 communities that have clinics belonging to the RCP's Community Oncology Clinic Network (COCN).
More information about our programs and services is available in the Information for Patients and Families binder at:http://www.neorcc.on.ca/neorcc/uploads/English Document May 2004.pdf