Your Health Care Professionals
Your health care team is available to support you during your treatment:
Your Medical Oncologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing cancer and treating it with approved therapies appropriate for your individual cancer diagnosis. This doctor will decide your treatment plan and you will be monitored closely.
You will have Primary Clinic Nurses. These nurses are an important source of support and information for you and are your first point of contact for concerns related to your cancer journey.
Chemotherapy Nurses are certified in the administration of chemotherapy treatments. Your chemotherapy nurse will explain how the treatment will be administered and any symptoms or side effects you might experience. These symptoms and side effects may develop while you are at home, so information regarding how to deal with these will be provided. You will receive education from the nurse regarding your specific treatment at your first treatment appointment.
Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians are certified and dedicated to ensuring safe and timely preparations of your individual treatment regime.
A Radiation Oncologist is a doctor who is certified to use radiation to treat cancer. Your doctor is in charge of prescribing and planning your treatment. Your doctor will monitor you throughout treatment and organize your care once your treatments are done.
A Primary Nurse is a registered nurse who works closely with your doctor. Your nurse will educate you about your treatment, help you manage symptoms, give emotional support and coordinate your care during treatment.
A Radiation Therapists plan and deliver radiation treatments. They work closely with your doctor to prepare your treatment plan. You will see them each day when you come for treatment. Your radiation therapists will teach you about your treatment, help you manage symptoms and give emotional support.
Medical physicists and their associates will not interact with you directly but are in charge of the safety and accuracy of the treatment machines and planning computers. they perform regular tests and checks on equipment to ensure treatment meets the highest standards. They also work with radiation oncologists and radiation therapists to ensure the safety and quality of your treatment plan.
Registered Dietitians provide counselling about proper nutrition during your cancer treatment to assist with side effects you may be experiencing.
The Registered Dietitian provides evidence-based nutritional care for people who:
- have difficulty eating due to a decrease in appetite, nausea, vomiting, difficult or painful swallowing, taste changes, dry mouth, constipation, diarrhea, or other symptoms
- are losing or gaining weight unintentionally
- need to change their diet to manage side effects of treatment
- require tube feeding
- have questions about diet and nutrition recommendations for specific types of cancer or cancer treatments
Social Workers provide a needs assessment and counselling to improve your overall wellbeing.
Social Workers provide:
- individual family and group counselling
- coping strategies and stress management techniques
- help talking to children about cancer
- connections to community resources
- guidance related to financial assistance
- legal information on power of attorney for financial and personal care
To connect with a social worker, ask your oncology nurse for a referral.
Sault Area Hospital, in partnership with the Sault Ste. Marie Religious Community is pleased to offer patients the following Spiritual Support Services:
- One-to-one support
- Prayers/spiritual reflections
- Connection with religious community for pastoral support
- Arrangement for rituals and sacraments
- Memorial services for individuals and groups
- Spiritual support in grief
- Support in ethical decision-making
- Rituals in Spiritual Centre (3rd Floor)
Spiritual Support Services can be reached daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (except on statutory holidays) at (705)759-3434, ext. 5418, or you can leave a message. For emergency service or during off-hours, please contact Sault Area Hospital Crisis Services at (705)759-3398 and ask for Spiritual Support Services assistance.