Download Information for cancer patient`s

Information for cancer
patient’s
Family and friends of cancer patients often help with day-to-day tasks and provide comfort and support
before, during and after cancer treatment. Providing care can nurture a deeper bond but sometimes the
stressors of everyday life and additional responsibilities can become overwhelming. Whether a caregiving
role is familiar or a brand new experience, taking care of yourself while caring for others, is important.
Here is a list of resources that might be helpful.
Cancer Centre Support
BC Cancer Agency Centre’s offer diverse support programs and educational opportunities. All cancer
Centre’s offer relaxation/stress reduction groups and counselling services. Contact Patient & Family
Counselling Services at your cancer center. Counselling for patients and family members is available in
person or by telephone. Visit www.bccancer.bc.ca/health-info/coping-with-cancer/support-programs.
BC Cancer Agency library and Cancer Information Centers provide books, pamphlets and other resource
materials at each Centre. Search online or visit your Centre.
Community & Online Support
Cancer Chat Canada offers online support groups and some are specifically geared towards family
members. For more details and to register for groups visit https://cancerchat.desouzainstitute.com/
Canadian Cancer Society has an information line and you can inquire about what supports and
services are in your community call 1.888.939.3333. The website also provides a booklet called “If you
are a Caregiver”. To download a copy visit www.cancer.ca/en/?region=bc.
Cancercare.org has podcasts and publications related to caregiving. For topics related to caregiving.
Visit www.cancercare.org/tagged/caregiving.
Canadian Virtual Hospice offers online discussion forums, resources and questions about topics
related to caregiving and bereavement. For more information visit www.virtualhospice.ca.
Community Services, Seniors Support Services and Hospices in your community often have
caregiver groups, bereavement services or other support programs for caregivers and search online for
some suggestions for community programs in your area.
Family Caregivers of BC is an association that provides caregiving information and a list of support
groups in each BC community. Visit www.familycaregiversbc.ca/ or call 1.877.520.3267 for more
information.
Public Health Agency of Canada (self-care for caregivers) has information and resources to help with
self-care, visit www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/oes-bsu-02/caregvr-eng.php.
The Caregiver Network broadcasts programming for the benefit of caregiving Canadians. It is now
Canada’s largest tele-learning network for family caregivers offering content on a broad range of health
and wellness issues—sharing ideas, information, and resources that affect meaningful change. Visit
http://thecaregivernetwork.ca/channel/cancer/
The United Way of the Lower Mainland’s, Family & Friend Caregivers Information and Resource
Handbook is available by download visit www.uwlm.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Caregivers-Guide-2016web.pdf
Willow Breast and Hereditary Cancer Support offer a list of BC support groups. Visit www.willow.org/getsupport/find-a-support-group/ or call 1.888.778.3100 for more information.
When cancer advances
You may want to take some time off work to provide care if your loved one is at the end of life. Check to
see if you qualify for Employment Insurance Compassionate Care benefits. Visit
www.esdc.gc.ca/en/ei/compassionate/index.page or call 1.800.206.7218 for more information.
The booklet called Cancer and Advance Care Planning - You’ve been diagnosed with cancer: now what? has
information about how to help after a cancer patient becomes too sick and cannot act on their own behalf.
Pick up a copy at a cancer Centre or visit: www.bccancer.bc.ca/health-info/coping-with-cancer/advancecare-planning to download a copy.
If you want to know how to help after a death this handout called “Things to do after a Death” can be
helpful visit www.bccancer.bc.ca/health-info/coping-with-cancer/practical-support/resources.
For information about coping with grief and loss visit www.bccancer.bc.ca/health-info/coping-withcancer/emotional-support
Coping with Cancer section of the BC Cancer Agency website has information about dealing with the
physical, practical, emotional and family-related aspects of a cancer diagnosis and treatment.
BC Cancer Agency, Psychosocial Oncology, October 2016