Regional and Satellite Oncology Clinics: The
Regional Cancer Clinic is located in Fredericton at the Dr. Everett Chalmers
Regional Hospital. River Valley Health residents can receive chemotherapy closer
to home through satellite oncology clinics. Satellite oncology clinics are
located in Perth-Andover.
Hospitals where chemotherapy is given:
Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital, Fredericton
452-5026
Carleton Memorial Hospital, Woodstock
325-6700
Upper River Valley Hospital
375-5900
Hotel-Dieu of Saint-Joseph, Perth-Andover
273-7100
Cancer Screening, Prevention and Education:
Health centres offer a variety of programs and/or
information sessions on health promotion, prevention of
cancer and early detection. The Breast Cancer Screening
Program offers women aged 50-69 the opportunity to have
mammography on a regular basis and teaches breast
self-examination (BSE) and breast health. The Breast Cancer
Screening Program is located at hospitals in Oromocto,
Waterville, and Perth-Andover.
Health Centres:
Doaktown
365-6100
Boiestown
369-2700
Harvey
366-6400
McAdam
784-6300
Nackawic
575-6600
Fredericton Junction
368-6501
Stanley
367-7730
Chipman
339-7650
Extra-Mural Home Care:
River Valley Health’s Extra-Mural Program makes it possible
for many patients who have cancer to receive care in their
own home. EMP's professional staff provides close monitoring
and management of side effects while undergoing treatment.
The Oncology Team and You
Who is part of the cancer care team?
Your cancer care team may include doctors, nurses, social
workers, psychologists, pharmacists, dietitians, pastoral
care personnel, as well as Extra-Mural, Palliative Care and
Health Centre staff.
Let’s talk more about who might be part of your team.
Doctor
Although you may have more than one doctor involved in your
care, your family doctor will coordinate your care.
While there are many surgeons providing cancer care in River
Valley Health, there is only one oncologist, Dr. Ghafoor. We
do not have any radiation specialists (called “Radiation
Oncologist”). You will have to travel outside our region
(Saint John or Moncton) for radiotherapy.
Once a month, Dr. Ghafoor or one of the Clinical Associates
sees patients in Waterville, and Perth-Andover by Telehealth.
These are patients who may have cancer, who are taking
treatment for cancer, or are being followed after treatment
for cancer. People who need chemotherapy may receive it at
hospitals in Fredericton, Waterville, Perth-Andover. The
location depends on where one lives and the type of
chemotherapy needed.
Registered Nurse
Specially trained nurses give the chemotherapy treatments.
In addition, these nurses co-ordinate your care, offer
guidance, provide counseling, and give information which may
be useful to you during your cancer experience.
We also have a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). She may help
by guiding and supporting you and your family, helping you
learn more about the cancer and its treatment, coordinating
your care, and offering suggestions about how to manage
treatment side effects, especially those difficult to get
under control. Not everyone needs the service of the CNS,
but at some point during your experience you or your family
may wish to involve her.
Social Worker
The Social Worker’s role is varied. Social Workers offer
emotional support throughout illness and various treatments,
as this can be a stressful time for the person with cancer
and their loved ones. They can provide counseling to
individuals, couples, or families to help reduce stress,
increase coping skills, and to help family members
communicate and talk openly with one another.
As well, they can assist with practical issues, such as
locating resources needed at this time (for example
information regarding medication costs, income, home help,
places to stay if treatments are out of town). They are also
involved in support groups offered to patients and/or their
loved ones, and can provide bereavement follow up.
Psychologist
Patients experience many different emotions during the
diagnosis and treatment of cancer. While some patients have
little difficulty dealing with the emotional aspects of
their illness, for others their emotional responses can be
difficult to handle and interfere with their recovery.
The psychologist can help people cope with their
emotions during each stage of illness, identify emotional
responses to the cancer diagnosis and treatment (such as
fear, sadness, loss, or anger), explore their feelings and
thoughts about their illness, and teach them ways to improve
their quality of life by decreasing negative thinking.
The psychologist can teach people relaxation skills that
can help them identify and control their mental and physical
responses to stress and their illness. Psychologists can
also help patients increase their sense of control over
their health by improving their problem-solving skills and
making lifestyle changes.
The psychologist will continue to help patients who have
completed their cancer treatment if they still need help
dealing with their emotional reactions.
Pharmacist
Pharmacy services are available throughout the region.
Pharmacists working in oncology receive special training.
They carefully review prescriptions and chemotherapy orders
that are then prepared by our specially trained technicians.
It is helpful for you to bring all your medications
(prescription and non-prescription, vitamins and other
therapies) to your first clinic visit so an accurate
medication history can be completed. Pharmacists are
available for questions you may have concerning your
medications.
Dietitian
Cancer and the various forms of treatment can affect a
person’s nutritional needs and their ability to eat. Good
nutrition can help maintain strength and rebuild normal
tissues that have been affected by treatment. Good nutrition
nourishes your body and can help you feel better.
A dietitian is a person who specializes in nutrition.
Her role in a cancer treatment program is to assess the
nutritional status of the patient and develop a nutrition
care plan. She can offer advice dealing with many eating
problems such as loss of appetite, sore mouth, sore throat,
nausea, taste changes, weight loss, weight gain, and
diarrhea/constipation.
A dietitian can offer nutrition suggestions to the
patient and family about healthy eating, therapeutic diets
and high calorie/high protein supplements.
Some patients receive various nutrition tips from
friends, relatives, merchants, books and other sources. A
dietitian can help sort out what information is right for
you during your treatment program.
Pastoral Care
A visit to the hospital can be a source of anxiety and
distress. It is important during this time to look after
your spiritual needs. Access to this part of the service can
be by direct contact with your own clergy or pastoral care
giver or any of the cancer team members.
Extra-Mural Program
Extra-Mural is a home care program which includes nursing,
social work, respiratory therapy, occupational therapy,
physiotherapy, speech-language pathology, as well as
dietetics. A nurse is available 24 hours a day, seven days a
week. These professionals work with the other services in
the region when necessary to provide the care you may need
during your cancer experience.
Extra-Mural units are located in:
Fredericton - with satellite offices in Harvey and
Boiestown
Oromocto - with satellite office in Minto
Woodstock - with sub unit in Perth
Palliative Care
Palliative care is the care of patients whose disease is no
longer responding to treatment. It is aimed at improving the
quality of remaining life by focusing on the physical,
emotional, and spiritual needs of the patient and family.
Palliative care is offered throughout River Valley
Health. Some people requiring palliative care may be
admitted to the palliative care beds at the Dr. Everett
Chalmers Regional Hospital or the Oromocto Public Hospital,
to their local hospital, or to the Extra-Mural Program.
Health Centres
Nurses and physicians in the health centres can help you and
your family deal with cancer by providing accurate and
reliable information on various types of cancer. They also
provide emotional support, guidance and counseling to help
you deal with cancer and its impact on your life. Some
health centres also provide palliative care.
What if I want to talk with the
psychologist, the dietitian or any other member of the
cancer care team?
Ask one of the doctors or nurses to put you in touch
with the person you want.
Are there any cancer support groups in River
Valley Health?
Yes. Support groups and other resources are found in the
Cancer Resource Directory
If you more want information about support groups, call
your local branch of the Canadian Cancer Society or talk
with one of the doctors or nurses.
Do you want to know more about cancer?
Call the Canadian Cancer Society’s Cancer Information
Service toll-free at
1-888-939-3333.
The service can provide information about:
All types of cancer
Prevention and early detection
Cancer treatment
Drugs and clinical trials
Dealing with side effects
Complementary therapies
Nutrition
And more.
The Oncology Corner
(News Letter)
River Valley Health Cancer
Care Resource Directory
– Looking for local cancer support groups? This
section provides you with information about local support
groups plus other resources.
Look Good Feel Better– Find out more about
the Look Good Feel Better (LGFB) program in this section.
This section will also give you information about the dates,
times, and locations of upcoming LGFB workshops in River
Valley Health.
For more information, please contact
Kim.Chapman@rvh.nb.ca