When you arrive at the Cancer Centre, an admitting clerk will ask you some basic questions:

• date of birth
• address
• family doctor's name
• Saskatchewan Health Services card number
• other health insurance coverage
• contact information
• treaty number, if applicable
• health care directive (living will)

You should arrive 30 minutes before your appointment to answer these questions. On later visits, please let us know if this information has changed. This information is entered in the Cancer Registry and is kept confidential.

Your first visit to the Cancer Centre may take 1-2 hours. When you meet the oncologist, he or she will examine you and discuss your treatment options. You may also have some tests such as blood, urine or X-rays. This visit is a consultation or discussion visit. You will not usually receive any treatment on your first visit. The Cancer Centre is an outpatient treatment centre, which means that patients do not stay overnight. For some treatments, you may be admitted to a hospital in Regina or Saskatoon.

• A list of the medicines you are taking at home. This includes Tylenol, vitamins, dietary supplements (Boost, Ensure) and any herbal preparations or traditional medicines and treatments from other cultures.
• Your Saskatchewan health card. If you have private health insurance, please bring that information as well.
• A list of list of things you are allergic to, including medications and foods.
• X-ray films. You may be asked by the Cancer Centre to bring X-rays from your home hospital. Be sure to pick these up a day or two before you come for your appointment.
• A list of any questions you have. Feel free to ask a lot of questions.Bring a pen and some paper to jot down the answers. You may want to use the question sheet provided in this website.
• A friend or relative. He or she can help you remember things you have been told or hear something you might have missed.
• Things to help you pass the time, such as books, crosswords, magazines, audiotapes or knitting.

1. How does chemotherapy work to kill the cancer? If I'm having chemotherapy what are my choices?  How long will it last and what are the long-term and short-term side effects? Will the benefits outweigh the sickness?
2. How does radiation work to kill the cancer? Will radiation therapy damage my skin? What are the long-term and short-term side effects?  
3. How often will I need to be examined after treatment? What tests will I have and what will they tell me? How do we evaluate treatment success or failure?
4. What is the stage of my disease and what does that mean in regard to my prognosis?
5. When will I be sure that my cancer will not come back?
6. Is there a chance that I may die from this disease?
7. Is there any benefit to a second opinion?
8. Can I benefit from an investigational therapy somewhere else?

• Please do not wear scented products like perfume, aftershave, hair spray or lotions.
• Patients and visitors are asked to turn off cellular phones while in the Cancer Centre.
• If you have waited more than half an hour past your appointment time, check with the receptionist, but please be patient. Staff do their best to keep appointments on time, but some delays cannot be helped.
• The Cancer Centres are non-smoking facilities.
• Try not to cancel your first visit! It is an important one. It can be difficult to schedule another time. If you must cancel your appointment, please call the Cancer Centre as much in advance as possible.
  • To cancel an appointment call:
    Allan Blair Cancer Centre (Regina):  (306) 766-2213
    Saskatoon Cancer Centre (Saskatoon):  (306) 655-2662