Managing side effects

Share how you are feeling at every appointment, and don’t hesitate to ask questions. Tell your cancer care team right away if you experience:

• Dizziness, loss of appetite, or a fall
• Sudden, severe fatigue (long-lasting tiredness)
• Sudden shortness of breath or a fast heart beat
• Unexplained or ongoing bleeding
• Anxiety, depression, or difficulty coping

Cancer treatment can cause short- or long-term physical side effects, which vary from person to person. Talk to your doctor or nurse about what to expect and keep them updated on how you are feeling.

Common side effects include fatigue, aches and pains, and nausea or vomiting.

If you notice new or different symptoms, tell your oncologist as soon as possible and make sure you attend all scheduled check-ups. This ensures that your oncologist is aware of any changes that may be related to your cancer.

Stay active
At least 30 minutes of moderate exercise (not too easy or too hard) is the best way to reduce fatigue. Talk to your care team about how to exercise safely.

Improve your sleep
Talk to your care team if your stress, anxiety, or depression are affecting your rest.

Manage stress and emotions
Share your feelings with someone you trust or try doing activities to relieve stress and anxiety.

Pace yourself
Save your energy for the things that are most important to you.

Eat well
Eat a variety of healthy foods to maintain energy levels and drink at least 6 glasses of water or other liquids daily—unless advised otherwise by your doctor.

Nankind created Cancer Conversations with Your Kids to help parents affected by cancer talk to their children about their diagnosis in a way that’s clear, supportive, and age-appropriate. This guide is designed to make a difficult conversation easier, helping to ease your child’s fears and anxieties.

Download the printable booklet for information on how to talk with your children about cancer.

It is stressful to find out you have cancer. You may have a lot of questions and concerns. You may be unsure what to expect or what to do next.

Read the list below or download the printable version for information on the cancer supports available to you and your family members or care partners. Ask to talk to a cancer centre social worker if you have questions or concerns.

The content was adapted with permission from the Durham Regional Cancer Centre.
Last reviewed: April 2025

The Canadian Cancer Society offers support and information. This includes:

• A Peer Support Program: The Canadian Cancer Society will connect you or your family member/partner-in-care with a trained volunteer who understands what it is like to live with cancer. Support is available over the phone or in person through group support or personal visits.
• A Cancer Information Service: You can call and get information about cancer and cancer treatment, research and other resources and organizations. You can also ask to have this information mailed to you. Call 1-888-939-3333 or visit the Canadian Cancer society website.
• CancerConnection offers support groups and information about cancer. For more information visit their website: www.cancerconnection.ca
• The “Life After Cancer Treatment” booklet found on the Canadian Cancer Society website

Cancer Support Centres offer you and your family member or care partner supports, education, groups and resources.

Community Organizations can help you with transportation, meals and caregiver relief (cost associated).

Home care

Ontario Health atHome (previously named Home and Community Care Support Services): A Care Coordinator will help you plan for the care and services you need at home.

For more information call 1-800-263-3877 or 310-2222 or visit ontariohealthathome.ca.

Hospices offer support and care in the community or in a hospice residence

Indigenous Patient Navigator at SHN

Can offer support to you if you:

• Identify as having Indigenous ancestry
• Identify as having First Nation, Métis or Inuit heritage
• Have Indigenous cultural needs

For more information, please visit SHN.ca/indigenous-patient-navigator.

Peer Support Programs can connect you with someone who has had a similar experience with cancer. Many organizations offer online and in-person peer support.

Other organizations offering support:

Olive Branch of Hope (breast cancer specific)

offers support groups, seminars and workshops for Black women with cancer to share their experiences, build a support system, and learn healing and coping strategies during and after a cancer diagnosis. Visit www.theolivebranch.ca or call 416-256-3155.

African Cancer Support Group
Offers mental, emotional, financial and educational supports to African/Caribbean/Black Canadians and their family members or care partners. Website: africancancer.ca

Queering Cancer
Offers resources and supports to individuals and their care partners from LGBTQ2+ communities. Website: queeringcancer.ca

Look Good Feel Better
Offers virtual and in-person workshops to women and men on how to manage the effects of cancer and treatments on your physical appearance. These workshops offer information on skin care and hair alternatives. Visit lgfb.ca for more information.

Muslim Women with Cancer Support Group
A free support group for Muslim women to connect, help and learn from each other while navigating all stages of cancer. Offered as an online Zoom meeting on the 1st Monday of each month at 7 pm. Email Sheylna at shelyna@rogers.com to register and receive the Zoom link.

Young Adults Cancer Canada
Offers online supports and resources to young adults. You will find a list of activities and retreats on the website that can help you connect with other young adults. For more information call 1-877-571- 7325 or visit youngadultcancer.ca.

Chinese Cancer Support Group – South Riverdale Community Health Centre
Second Tuesday of every month from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please call Grace Ho for more information: 647-642-8196 or 416-461-3577 ext. 2248.

Complementary therapies

• The College of Naturopaths of Ontario offers a list of registered naturopathic doctors. Call 416-583-6010 or visit collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca.
• The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre offers information on natural health products. For more information visit mskcc.org.

Managing symptoms

• Cancer Care Ontario offers information on what you can do to manage the symptoms you have. For more information visit cancercareontario.ca/en/symptom-management.
• Canadian Lymphedema Framework offers information on what you can do to manage lymphedema. For more information call 647-693-1083 or visit canadalymph.ca. You can also find information on the Lymphedema Association of Ontario’s website at lymphontario.ca

Returning to Work
The Cancer and Work website has information about returning, remaining, changing work or looking for work after a diagnosis of cancer. For more information visit cancerandwork.ca.

Wellspring online programs 

• Returning to Work. For more information or to register, visit wellspring.ca/returning-to-work
• Wellness at Work: Managing Stress in the Workplace. For more information or to register, visit wellspring.ca/program/wellness-at-work
• Back at Work: Managing Stress at Work. For more information or to register, visit wellspring.ca/program/returning-to-work
• Wellness at Work: Moving Beyond Cancer and Letting Go. For more information or to register, visit wellspring.ca/program/wellness-at-work

Self-Management Program Central East offers self management workshops on living a healthy life. These workshops are offered online. Call 1-866-971-5545 or visit ceselfmanagement.ca.

Counselling

For private counseling services you can contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at your place of work. Your school may also offer support. You can also look for counsellors on this website: psychologytoday.com or talk to your family doctor about being referred to someone.

If you are between the ages of 18 and 39, ask for a copy of the Information and Supports for Young Adults with Cancer handout or download a printable version if you did not already receive a copy.

211 Ontario

211 is a helpline offering information on services, programs and supports in your community. Call or text 211 or go to the website found at 211ontario.ca for more information.

Living with cancer can affect your income and finances. You may have questions about this such as:

• What will happen if I cannot work and have no income?
• How will I pay my bills?

Read the list below or download the printable version for information on financial supports that may be available to you.

Ask to talk to a cancer centre social worker if you have any questions or concerns about the information.

The content was adopted with permission from the Durham Regional Cancer Centre.
Last reviewed: April 2025

Ontario government disability programs (based on your income) 

Federal government programs

Workplace programs (May be offered by your employer) 

Government seniors programs 

Charitable Organizations

You may be eligible for financial support from charitable organizations.

Personal resources

Drug (medication) coverage

Other programs

It is normal for you to have feelings of uncertainty. You may find yourself thinking about the future – what might happen and what you will do about it.

It is not possible for you or anyone else to know everything that is going to happen.

If you are always thinking about the “what ifs” and worst-case scenarios, worry can become a problem.

It can:

• Keep you from enjoying the good things you have in life now
• Decrease your energy level
• Cause you to feel anxious or depressed

Telling yourself to stop worrying or distracting yourself may work for a short time. It can also make you worry more. Managing your feelings of uncertainty will help you feel better. When you worry less, you think less about what was or what could be.

Read the list below or download the printable version to learn about exercises that can help manage your feelings of uncertainty. You may want to do some or all of these exercises. It is important to give yourself time to try these exercises and find one that works for you. This can take practice and time.

The content was adopted with permission from the Durham Regional Cancer Centre.
Last reviewed: April 2025

Exercises you can use: 

Become more comfortable with uncertainty
It is not possible for you to know with 100% certainty what is going to happen in life. Before having cancer, there was uncertainty in your life. Life with and after your cancer treatment may seem even more unpredictable. It can be helpful to become more comfortable with not knowing or not having answers right away. To do this:

Take a minute and think back on your life. Ask yourself these questions and think about your answers:

• “What has been unpredictable before?”
• “Where have I faced uncertainty?”

Now, ask yourself these questions and think about your answers:

• “How have I managed when life was unpredictable or uncertain?”
• “Is it possible to be certain about everything in life?”
• “What are the advantages and disadvantages of needing certainty in life?”
• “How is needing certainty helpful and unhelpful?”
• “Do I always think that bad things will happen because life is uncertain?”

Create a worry period 

Picture in your mind an inflated balloon. It you tried to push it underwater it would keep popping back up to the surface. The balloon is like your worrisome thoughts. You keep trying to stop the thoughts but they keep coming back.

Instead of trying to stop your worries or concerns, let yourself have these thoughts, but put off thinking about them until later. This is called delaying worry. This exercise helps you stop thinking about your worries. It will help you get more control over your worrying.

You can learn to delay worry by creating a “worry period”. To do this:

• Choose a time and place for worrying. Choose the same time every day (for example, in the living room from 5 to 5:15 pm). It is better to choose a time early enough in the day so that you’ll have time to relax your mind before bedtime. Give yourself 15 minutes to worry.
• During your worry period worry about whatever is on your mind. The rest of the day is a worry-free zone. For example, if the fear of your cancer coming back comes up at another time in the day, remind yourself that you will have time to think about it later. You don’t need to worry about it right now. You can write your worry on a piece of paper. Save it for later and continue on with your day.
• Go over your worry list during the worry period. Think about the worries you wrote down during the day. If the thoughts are still bothering you, let yourself worry about them (but only for 15 minutes). If your worries are lessened before the 15 minutes, end your worry period early and enjoy the rest of your day.

Challenge your worrisome thoughts
If you find yourself worrying a lot, you may begin to think that your worries will come true. It can be hard for you to stop this way of thinking, but it is possible. You can do this by asking yourself, in your head, these questions and thinking about your answers:

• “Is there proof that what I’m thinking is true?”
• “Is there a better way of looking at my situation?”
• “Is it likely that what I’m scared of will actually happen?”
• “How will worrying help me and how will it hurt me?”
• “What would I say to a friend who has the same worry?”

Sharing your worries
It can be difficult to think or talk about your worries (for example: you may be thinking “I am afraid the cancer will come back and I might die”). It may be helpful for you to share (talk about) your worries with someone you trust. Talking about your answers can be helpful:

• “Is my worry or fear true?”
• “Is there additional information or resources I need?”
• “What can I plan for?”
• “What will my plan of action be?”
• “Who can I ask for help?”

Setting goals
You may have thoughts that stop you from planning for your future. For example, you may find it hard to see yourself in the future. It is possible to enjoy the present moment (the here and now) while planning for your future. It can be helpful to think about what is important to you and set realistic goals for your future. This can help you regain control of your life. To help you set goals for your future, you may want to:

• Think about how you define “the future”. You can think about: tomorrow, next week, a month from now or a year from now.
• Remind yourself that you are an important person who deserves to enjoy life.

Ask your team for a social work referral for more support.

For immediate help: call 911 or go to the Emergency Department at the hospital closest to you.

If you require a referral to a psychiatrist, please speak with your healthcare team.

Read the list below or download the printable version for cancer care mental health services and supports.

The content was adapted with permission from the Durham Regional Cancer Centre.
Last reviewed: April 2025

Mental Health Crisis Supports

1. The 9-8-8:
   • Text or call 9-8-8
   • Suicide Crisis Helpline will offer 24/7/365, trauma-informed and culturally appropriate suicide prevention crisis support in English and French by phone and text for everyone living in Canada
2. Community Crisis Line Scarborough Health Network : 416 495-2891 for 24/7 telephone crisis support.
3. Distress Centre of GTA
   – Offers a 24-hour crisis phone line: 416-408-4357
   – Offers a multi-language line offering services in Cantonese, Mandarin, Portuguese, Spanish, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu. Open Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. 905-278-4890
4. Talk Suicide: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645
5. Gerstein Centre: 416-929-5200
6. Assaulted Women’s Helpline: 416-863-0511; Toll-free: 1-866-863-0511
7. Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868; Languages: English and French
8. Warm Line, Progress Place: 1-888-768-2488 Are you feeling lonely, isolated, anxious, depressed or in need of a friendly ear? Chat online, text or call a Warm Line peer support worker, 3pm to 7pm Ontario (EST), 7 days a week.
9. Durham Crisis and Mental Health Line: 905-666-0483
10. Pinewood Centre
    – Offers a 24-hour crisis phone line for substance and alcohol use: 1-888-881-8878.
    – Offers individual or group support and short term stays for substance use withdrawal.

Community Counselling Supports
There are a number of community organizations that offer free or sliding scale counselling supports.  There is often a waitlist for these programs.  Please contact them for more information on offerings and availability:

1. Family Services Toronto
   Phone: 416-595-9618
   General inquiry phone number: 416-595-9230
2. Scarborough Women’s Centre
   Phone: 416-439-7111 ext 107
   Email: ed@scarboroughwomenscentre.ca
   Address:  2100 Ellesmere Rd, Suite 245, Scarborough, ON, M1H 3B7
3. Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities
   Phone: 416-847-4134
   Email: intake@schcontario.ca
   Address: 2660 Eglinton Ave East / 629 Markham Road Unit 2 / 1333 Neilson Road Suite 320
4. Woodgreen Community Services
   Counselling and Support Services
   Phone: 416-572-3575
   Walk-in Counselling Phone Number: 416-645–6000 ext. 1990 (call before 4 p.m. to book a session for that same evening)
   Email: cccentralintake@woodgreen.org
5. Tropicana Community Services
   Phone: 416- 439-9009
   Email: info@tropicanacommunity.org
6. Polycultural Immigrant and Community Services
   Short-term counselling for youth, adults and families who are dealing with a crisis situation.Scarborough North:
   3660A Midland Avenue Scarborough, ON, M1V 0B8
   Phone: 416-439-1293

   Scarborough South:
   3225 Eglinton Avenue East, Units 101 & 111, Scarborough, ON, M1J 2H7
   Phone: 416-261-4901
   Email:info@polycultural.org

7. Catholic Family Services Toronto
   Phone: 416-921-1163
   Woman Abuse Services: 416-222-0048
   Email: info@cfstoronto.com
8. Strides Toronto (Children, Youth and Families)
   Phone Number:  416-438-3697 ext. 19055
   Address: 1200 Markham Road, Suite 200, Scarborough, ON / 1385 Huntingwood Drive, Scarborough, ON
9. Bounce Back
   – Bounce Back Coaching: A trained coach will help you learn skills to improve your mental health (6 phone sessions over 2-6 months).
   – Peer support programs: Lets you talk to others who are experiencing similar issues and challenges. Can help validate what you’re feeling and give you a different perspective on how to copePhone: 905-430-1768
   Toll Free Phone Number: 1-866-345-0224
   Email: bounceback@ontario.cmha.ca

The content was adopted with permission from the Durham Regional Cancer Centre.
Last reviewed: April 2025

Cancer and cancer treatments can affect your relationships, body image and intimacy. It may change the way you feel about sex. It is also common to have fears and worries that may affect your relationships with others. This can cause changes in your stress level and emotions.

What you can do to help:

• Talk to a member of your healthcare team about your fears and worries.
• Talk to your family and friends about your fears and worries.
• Ask a member of your healthcare team about programs or supports in your community.
• Keep a daily journal throughout your treatment.

Read the list below or download the printable version for resources. Talk to a member of your healthcare team if you have questions or need a better understanding of the information.

Support groups and education programs 

• Hearth Place Cancer Support Centre or call 905-579-4833
• Wellspring
• Look Good Feel Better Canada or call 1-800-914-5665
• Virtual online programs
• Accepting Your Body After Cancer Treatment: Offered virtually to persons who have had breast or chest cancer. For more information visit rvh.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Accepting-Your-Body-After-Cancer-Group-Class.pdf

Patient education resources available online 

Alberta Health Services

• Cancer and Sexuality, Fertility, Body Image and Relationships
• Female Sexual Problems
• Smoking: Sexual and Reproductive Problems
• Low Sexual Desire
• Talking to Your Partner About Sex

Canadian Breast Cancer Network

• Never Too Young: Psychosocial Information and Support for Young Women with Breast Cancer Care booklet

Canadian Cancer Society

• Sex, Intimacy and Cancer booklet

Cancer Care Ontario

• Intimacy and Sex: For People with Cancer and their Partners handout
• Prostate Cancer Patient Guide: How to Manage Sexual Health Problems handout
• Prostate Cancer Guide: How to Manage Hormonal Symptoms handout

Canadian Urological Association

• Erectile Dysfunction handout

Durham Regional Cancer Centre

• Breast Cancer: Information and Supports handout
• Fertility Preservation for People Who Produce Eggs handout
• Fertility Preservation for People Who Produce Sperm handout
• Managing Your Vaginal Symptoms handout
• Progressive Muscle Exercise handout
• Self-Sensate Focus Exercise handout
• The Mirror Exercise handout
• Understanding Sexual Desire
• Understanding Erectile Dysfunction
• Using a Vaginal Dilator
• Wigs and Other Head Coverings handout

Fertile Future

• Cancer and Fertility: A Guide for Young Adults handout

Menopause Clinics

• Mount Sinai Hospital Menopause Clinic is a specialized clinic, caring for women experiencing menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, new sleep problems, mood changes, vaginal dryness, new joint pain, and abnormal uterine bleeding. A referral from your doctor is needed. For more information visit mountsinai.on.ca/care/womens-unit/menopause-clinic.
• The Gynecology Program at Women’s College Hospital offers care for women experiencing menopausal symptoms. A referral from your doctor is needed. For more information visit womenscollegehospital.ca/care-programs/gynecology.

Pelvic Health Solutions

• Pelvic exercises for women or persons with a vulva/vagina
• Pelvic exercises for men or persons with a penis
• Finding a physiotherapist who specializes in pelvic health

Sunnybrook’s Odette Cancer Program Patient & Family Education

• Online centre for resources and information about cancer

The North American Menopause Society

• Causes of Sexual Health Problems
• Effective Treatments for Sexual Health Problems

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada

• Concerns and Sexual Problems
• Menopause and Health Concerns
• Causes of Sexual Health Problems
• Effective Treatments for Sexual Health Problems

Wellspring

• Canada-wide network of charities, offering programs and services, at no charge and without referral to anyone, with any type of cancer, at any stage of their journey: wellspring.ca

Finding Sex Therapy and Counselling Supports 

• BESTCO: Board of Examiners in Sex Therapy & Counselling in Ontario (sex therapist directory): bestco.info/bestco-member-directory
• Canadian Association for Marriage and Family Therapists or call 416- 907-4620.
• Psychology Today (Canada)
• Catholic Family Services or call 905-725-3513
• Durham Family Services or call 905-666-6240.