General information about chemotherapy and systemic therapy
Information from the Canadian Cancer Society:
Chemotherapy (written and video info)
Immunotherapy (written and video info)
Ask your oncologist (your cancer doctor) or nurse if you are not sure what type of systemic therapy you are getting to treat your cancer. We will also go over these details with you on your first day of systemic therapy.
For more video-based information:
Canadian Cancer Society’s Cancer Basics Video collection.
Princess Margaret Cancer Classes
Information about specific cancer drugs
Cancer Care Ontario’s drug formulary page is a directory where you can look up the name of your cancer drugs. The Patient Info Sheet for each drug includes common side effects, how to manage the side effects, how the drug is given, and other important information you need to know.
Paying for your medications
If your chemotherapy or systemic therapy will not be covered by OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan), we will inform you when we discuss treatment options. We have Drug and Special Access Navigators who will work with you to find financial support for your cancer medications.
If you have concerns about paying for your cancer medications, please speak with your cancer Care Team.
New Patient Package
Cancer Support Resources for New Patients (New Patient Package) is a collection of patient materials that new patients find most helpful at the start of their cancer experience.
What to bring for your treatment
HRCP What to Bring to Your Treatment
What to expect at your treatment
Cancer Centre tour for chemo patients – what to expect when you come for treatment (video made by the Hudson Regional Cancer Program)
Who to call if you are having symptoms:
Get help managing your cancer symptoms is a handout that lists the phone numbers for the Cancer Centre Symptom Support Telephone Service (also called triage line). Please visit the Cancer Program’s webpage for the latest hours of operation.
For more written information:
The Cancer treatment webpage contains symptom management information written by the Cancer Program. For symptom management information related to systemic therapy, click on the Systemic Therapy section. For general information, click on the Symptom Management section. The information is listed in alphabetical order by the name of the symptom.
The patient symptom management guides, written by Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario), has lots of helpful information and tips on the common symptoms related to your cancer treatment.
Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) Chemotherapy Unit.
Click here for directions. Select “Cancer Program” under Find Your Way dropdown. Try the RVH Map App which provides step by step instructions to the Cancer Centre from the parking lot.
Click here for parking information.
The chemotherapy unit is located on Level 3 of the Cancer Centre. For the Cancer Centre, enter via the Main Entrance. The Cancer Centre is on your first left. Look for a glass-walled entrance.
Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) Chemotherapy Unit.
Click here for parking information.
Instructions for coming in for an appointment at OSMH
Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare, Huntsville Site (MAHC Huntsville) Chemotherapy Unit.
Click here for parking information.
About the chemo unit at MAHC Huntsville
If you are not sure where you will be receiving your treatment, please call 705-728-9090 x43333.
Cancer Patient Transportation Services is a list of transportation options for those living in Simcoe Muskoka region. Some of the transportation options are only for cancer patients. Always call ahead to find out if the service is available.
Contacting the Cancer Centre:
Please call the Cancer Centre at 705-728-9090 x43333 if you:
- have questions about your appointment
- need to change or cancel your appointment.
Important: we do our best to book your appointment that best meets your schedule and needs. However, due to high patient volumes and other restrictions we may be unable to move appointments.
Click here for the Cancer Centre phone list. Please visit the Cancer Centre webpage for the latest hours of operation.
COVID-19 updates and visitor restrictions:
COVID-19 updates and visitor restrictions for patients of the Cancer Program. As the COVID-19 situation changes, this information will change as well. Check this page often.
Rotary House is a hotel-like lodge for patients at RVH. Located across the road from the Cancer Centre. If you are travelling from out of town, or don’t want to drive back and forth, this is a great option.
Visitor policy:
You are welcome to bring a caregiver or friend, especially for your first visit as we will provide more information about your treatment and managing side effects.
Please check our latest visitor policy before you arrive.
Note that children under 16 years old are not permitted in the chemotherapy treatment unit for safety reasons.
Patient and Family Support Services at the Cancer Centre is a brochure that outlines the supportive care services provided by our social worker, dietitians, Indigenous Patient Navigator, drug and special access navigators, lymphedema clinic therapist, spiritual care providers, and tobacco support coach.
Indigenous patient resources is a webpage with information on how to access our Indigenous Patient Navigator, as well as culturally safe health care options in the Simcoe Muskoka region.