Cancer Care

The prostate diagnostic assessment unit (DAU) is a one-stop shop for patients experiencing prostate-related concerns. Located at our Centenary hospital, the aim of this clinic is to shorten patients’ wait times for consultation and time to biopsy, pathology results, and treatment by providing you with access to a full range of hospital services and specialists.

Our Services

• Expert consultation, treatment options, and follow-up care from one of our urologists specializing in the treatment of prostate health conditions.
• Support and assessment of an oncology nurse navigator throughout the diagnostic and treatment phase of the patient’s journey.
• Availability of radiation and medical oncologists specializing in evidenced-based treatment strategies for prostate cancer.
• Services of an interventional radiologist specializing in prostate biopsy procedures.
• Support of an in-hospital pathologist throughout the diagnostic and treatment-decision stages.

How the Prostate DAU Works

Every patient coming to the prostate DAU is looked after by one of our urologists throughout your journey of care — from initial consultation and biopsy, to treatment and follow-up care if needed. If the biopsy comes back positive for cancer, you will have the option to treat the cancer with surgery, radiation or active surveillance, which includes regular follow-up appointments to check for disease progression and to ensure that treatment is started at an optimum time.

We understand that patients can feel very anxious and overwhelmed. That is why our urologists partner with a nurse navigator, who is there to give you support and education. The nurse navigator will discuss the urologist’s assessment with you and answer questions so that you can make an informed decision about a treatment plan that is right for you.

If the decision is to go with active surveillance or surgery, your urologist is there to provide all aspects of care. If the decision is to get radiation, SHN partners with the Durham Region Cancer Centre (through Lakeridge Health in Oshawa) and the Odette Cancer Centre (through Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto). Radiation oncologists provide assessment at Centenary, and then treatment is given at the regional centre of your choice.

Making an Appointment

If you have symptoms related to prostate disease and would like to be seen by one of our urologists at the prostate DAU, please have your family physician complete our referral form and fax it to 416-281-7228. Our clerical staff will book the next available appointment and notify you.

Download the Prostate Diagnostic Referral Form

For more information, please call 416-284-8131 ext. 5318 or email us at pdau@SHN.ca.

Our Central East Regional Thoracic Diagnostic Assessment Unit (DAU) is located in the chemotherapy clinic at our Centenary hospital. Patients requiring diagnosis or treatment for lung, stomach, and esophageal cancers can all be seen here. Patients potentially requiring surgery for acid reflux or patients with benign lung diseases can also be referred here.

Patients are referred to a thoracic DAU closest to their home community in Peterborough, Oshawa or Scarborough. Our clinic is led by a thoracic surgeon, as well as a Nurse Navigator who works closely with patients and their families to coordinate care and education. Referrals are reviewed in a timely manner with patients being triaged based on the urgency of their initial appointment. The initial assessment conducted by the nurse navigator by phone assists the surgeon in determining the type of the care the patient requires.

Referrals

The clinic is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Referrals to the SHN clinic can be made directly by contacting the clinic at 1-866-338-1778 ext. 4503 or by faxing referrals to 1-877-291-5956.

Through our urology services, Scarborough Health Network (SHN) aims to provide the highest quality patient care in a compassionate, safe and patient-centered manner. The urologic surgeons provide expert care and support to patients throughout each step of the process, from diagnosing urologic disorders to providing treatment and performing surgical procedures. They are experienced, professional and specialize in advanced surgical therapies and minimally invasive procedures to treat all specialties of male and female urology.

What We Offer

• Genitourinary cancers (bladder, prostate, kidney, penis and testicular cancer)
• Kidney stones
• Prostate-related diseases (benign prostate hypertrophy)
• Female urology
• Voding dysfunction and incontinence
• Erectile dysfunction
• Neuro-urology
• Reconstructive urology

Our Surgical Oncology service ensures timely access to safe, high-quality care. It does this by continually improving the quality and accessibility of cancer surgery across Scarborough. The program also engages surgeons in planning and quality improvement initiatives.

Our clinic supports complex patients having side effects from their cancer treatment or experiencing symptoms of their disease. We collaborate with and refer to specialists and other health care professionals as needed.

SHN is proud to be a satellite clinic of the Paediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO). As a POGO satellite, the clinic provides cancer care close to home for children in Scarborough. Working in partnership with the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), the clinic offers chemotherapy, blood work and transfusions, vital-sign monitoring, medication administration, X-rays, CT scans, and ultrasounds.

Centenary, 7th Floor
416-284-8131 ext. 7190 or ext. 7191
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (by appointment only)