Patient & Family Resource Centre

The Patient and Family Resource Centre is committed to providing the best information for all our patients, family members, and friends. We encourage you to make use of our resources and expertise when searching for information throughout your cancer journey.

Lending Library: Come in to browse through our books, CDs, and DVDs. The borrowing period is 4 weeks but items can easily be renewed in person, over the phone, or by email.

One-on-one assistance: If you’re not quite sure what you’re looking for or you know what you need but are unsure how to begin your search, we can spend time with you to make sure you get the most up-to-date, reliable information.  Drop by any time for a personal consultation.

Online searching: If you’re overwhelmed by the amount of information on the web and are not sure if what you’re finding is reliable, let us guide you to relevant, current, and credible websites and other online resources.

Information made to order: If you’d like some materials or information but don’t have the time to wait, please let us know.  Just give us the details and we can email the information to you or put together a package of resources, articles, etc. to have ready for you the next time you’re in.

JCC Patient and Family Handbook: Use our guide to find out about what to expect when you come to the Juravinski Cancer Centre for your cancer care including the types of treatments and services available.

There is a lot to learn when you first get started with your cancer care and treatment. The following information is about types of treatment and services for cancer.

Chemotherapy
Welcome to the Juravinski Cancer Centre – Patient & Family Handbook
Information for new patients and families
Quit Smoking: For people with cancer
Learning about chemotherapy treatment for patients and families
Chemotherapy and Other Drug Therapies: A guide for people with cancer
Fever infection and side effects while on chemotherapy
Taking care of your emotional health
Caregiving pathfinder

Radiation
Welcome to the Juravinski Cancer Centre – Patient & Family Handbook
Information for new patients and families
Quit Smoking: For people with cancer
Radiation Therapy: A guide for people with cancer
Taking care of your skin during radiation treatment
Taking care of your emotional health
Caregiving pathfinder

Breast
Welcome to the Juravinski Cancer Centre – Patient & Family Handbook
Information for new patients and families
Quit Smoking: For people with cancer 
Understanding Treatment for Breast Cancer
Chemotherapy and Other Drug Therapies: A guide for people with cancer
Taking care of your emotional health
Caregiving pathfinder

Lung
Welcome to the Juravinski Cancer Centre – Patient & Family Handbook
Information for new patients and families
Quit Smoking: For people with cancer
Understanding Lung Cancer: Information for individuals with lung cancer and their families
Getting the Air You Need: A practical guide to coping with and managing shortness of breath
Patient’s Guide to Lung Cancer
Taking care of your emotional health
Caregiving pathfinder

Head & Neck
Welcome to the Juravinski Cancer Centre – Patient & Family Handbook
Information for new patients and families
Quit Smoking: For people with cancer
Head & Neck Cancer: Radiation Treatment
Radiation Therapy: A guide for people with cancer
Radiation therapy: making a mask and planning appointments
Pathfinder – Head & Neck
Taking care of your emotional health
Caregiving pathfinder

Radiation/Neuro.
Welcome to the Juravinski Cancer Centre – Patient & Family Handbook
Information for new patients and families
Quit Smoking: For people with cancer
Radiation Therapy: A guide for people with cancer
Radiation therapy: making a mask and planning appointments
Information for patients receiving treatment for a brain tumour
Pathfinder – Brain Tumours
Taking care of your emotional health
Caregiving pathfinder

Immunotherapy
Welcome to the Juravinski Cancer Centre – Patient & Family Handbook
Information for new patients and families
Quit Smoking: For people with cancer
Immunotherapy
Pathfinder – Immunotherapy
Taking care of your emotional health
Caregiving pathfinder

We have over 400 cancer-related books, CDs, and DVDs in our library collection. Please stop by to browse through our resources.

Topics include:

• recipe books and nutrition
• storybooks for children
• autobiographies and biographies
• specific types of cancer
• mental health, mindfulness and emotional wellbeing
• caregiving
• sleep issues
• pain management
• intimacy and sex
• survivorship
• life after cancer
• grief and grieving
• death and dying

Pathfinders are topic-specific guides to reliable resources.  They act as a starting point for your information-finding journey and list books, audiovisuals, and websites about cancer and other topics related to the cancer experience.  Use the links below or visit the Patient & Family Resource Centre for print copies.

Types of Cancer

Other Topics

Canadian Cancer Society 

The Canadian Cancer Society’s website allows you to search for information about specific cancers, prevention and screening, statistics, cancer research, nutrition and more.  Brochures and publications on a wide variety of topics can be downloaded from the website in many languages.

Canadian Cancer Society: Community Services Locator

This online tool can help you find services and programs for people living with cancer and their family and friends such as support groups, wigs, prostheses, financial help, places to stay, and more.

Canadian Cancer Society: Talk to an information specialist

Cancer can be difficult to understand and coping can be stressful. It helps to have someone you can talk to and trust for current, reliable information. The cancer information helpline is for all people with cancer, their caregivers, their families and friends, as well as the general public, and healthcare professionals. Service is available in French and English and interpreters are available for other languages. The information you receive is confidential and tailored to your needs. A direct phone line is available in the JCC Patient and Family Resource Centre (Level 1) or call toll-free 1-888-939-3333 (TTY: 1-866-786-3934) or email cis@ontario.cancer.ca

Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

This site connects Canadians to information and resources for cancer control.  Here you can access the Cancer Guidelines Database and the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control. Other topics include type of cancer, cancer continuum, type of care, population characteristics, risk factor, and cancer system management.

Cancer Assistance Program (CAP)

This community-based, not-for-profit organization offers free services for Hamilton-area individuals and families affected by cancer. They offer free home health equipment loans, personal care items, transportation, and more.

Cancer Care Ontario’s Drug Formulary

Learn more about your medication from CCO’s Drug Formulary. The Drug Library provides patient-friendly information sheets for 100 cancer drugs approved for use in Ontario as well as cancer drug regimens.

Cancer Care Ontario: Managing Symptoms, Side Effects & Well-Being

This series of patient guides provides information about how to manage various symptoms such as pain, anxiety, nausea, diarrhea, depression, fatigue, mouth problems, and loss of appetite. The guides offer helpful tips, links to more resources, and advice about when to talk to your health care team.

Cancer Care Ontario: Safely Handling Medications and Body Fluids at Home

This information is for people receiving cancer medication at home, their family members and caregivers. It is meant to help support you through your cancer treatment and answer some of your questions.

CanWell Program

This 12-week supervised exercise and education program is for people who have cancer and is offered through a partnership between the YMCA, Hamilton Health Sciences and McMaster University. Currently this program is only offered at the Les Chater YMCA in Hamilton, Ontario. Please visit the YMCA membership desk for more information or call 905-667-1515.

Clinical Trials

ClinicalTrials.gov is a database of privately and publicly funded clinical studies conducted around the world.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) – Ontario Ministry of Health

This information sheet describes HPV, prevention, spread, symptoms, risks, and vaccination.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) – Immunize Canada

This resource defines HPV, its symptoms, spread, who is affected, and who should be immunized against it.

MedlinePlus

Published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, Medline Plus offers cancer information and interactive tutorials that help explain treatments, tests and screening methods.

National Cancer Institute

This U.S. site is one of the most detailed on the web.  It includes information about cancer drugs and treatments, complementary and alternative therapies, coping and supportive care, as well as cancer dictionaries.

Wellwood

This community-based, non-profit organization provides information, supportive care programs and peer support to people with cancer and for their families and caregivers.  All programs and services are free of charge.

Access our Patient Education Library database to view up to 2000 documents that inform and teach patients and their family members about a variety of health-related topics.

Here are a few of the cancer resources available:

• Applying for financial benefits: money concerns and cancer
• Dealing with stress
• Fever infection and side effects while on chemotherapy
• Getting a good night’s sleep after cancer treatment
• Information for new patients and families
• Lymphedema (Community Services & Resources – Lymphedema)
• Nutrition myths about cancer
• Palliative care
• Taking care of your skin during radiation treatments
• Telling your child you have cancer
• Welcome to the Juravinski Cancer Centre: Patient and Family Handbook
• Your symptoms matter

“In the Know” Online Information Classes

These classes, hosted by Juravinski Cancer Centre (JCC) Supportive Care Services along with the JCC Patient & Family Resource Centre, are a way for patients, families, friends, and care partners to access relevant cancer support information and connect with Supportive Care clinicians.

For more information, call 905-521-2100 ext. 64311 or email PSOVirtual@hhsc.ca. Recordings of the classes will be available.

Chemotherapy

Before you begin treatment, please watch the chemotherapy video (under the “Resources” tab) and read the booklet, Learning about chemotherapy treatment for patients and families. These will help you learn about what to expect, how to manage possible side effects, and how to look after yourself during chemotherapy.  You will receive a copy of the booklet at your first chemotherapy appointment.

Lymphedema

Lymphedema is swelling that is caused by a build-up of lymph fluid in the tissues.  This swelling can be caused by cancer or cancer treatment. Let your doctor know if you have any unusual swelling. For more information, watch this short video (click here). Ask your Clinic Booking Clerk to book an information session for you.*

Therapy for lymphedema is available in your community! There are many lymphedema specialists who can help to manage lymphedema and are certified in Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT).  You do not require a referral to make an appointment with a lymphedema therapist but it is a good idea to discuss it with your doctor. Here is a list of local therapists and helpful links for funding support: Hamilton Area Lymphedema Resources

*Please note that in-person classes are on hold. If you have questions about lymphedema, please call Michele Cardoso at 905-387-9495 ext. 63717

For information about getting cancer care in Ontario during COVID-19 use the links below:

Antiviral treatment (Paxlovid)

COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Cancer Patients

Cancer Screening During COVID-19

COVID-19 and Cancer Care: Your Safety Matters

COVID-19, smoking and your cancer treatment

Smoking and COVID-19 information for Indigenous Peoples

What you need to know about COVID-19 vaccines: Information for people with cancer

Quitting or cutting back on smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health and we recommend that you quit.

This will:

• make your cancer treatments work better
• reduce treatment side effects
• decrease chances of a recurring or new cancer developing
• improve healing and overall health

For support and to stay smoke-free:

• talk with a member of your health care team including the supportive care team
• go to the JCC Pharmacy for smoking cessation medication and support
• for online programs and text message support visit: Smokers’ Helpline

The Ontario Health learning module, Quit Smoking: For people with cancer, is designed to support smoking cessation efforts for people with cancer and will help you better understand how smoking can affect your health and how quitting can help your cancer treatment.

For more information about quitting smoking use the links below:

Pathfinder (information guide) to Quitting Smoking (Smoking Cessation)

COVID-19, smoking and your cancer treatment

Smoking and COVID-19 information for Indigenous Peoples

For free confidential individualized support and information about nicotine replacement therapy, call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or the number on your cigarette pack.