ACTT Clinic Patient Eligibility Criteria:

To be seen in the ACTT clinic, you need to meet all the following criteria:

• Previous diagnosis of breast cancer, thyroid cancer, gynecological cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, testicular cancer or melanoma
• Completed cancer treatment at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and/or Women’s College Hospital
• Referred by treating Oncologist/GPO/WCH Endocrinologist or referred back by primary care practitioners after discharge from ACTT for a concern related to previous cancer

Patients Pre-visit Requirements:

At your first visit, you will need to complete a form regarding your health history, family history of cancer, medication, and latest health screening tests (e.g. colonoscopy, fecal occult blood test, bone mineral density, mammogram, PSA, PAP smear, and cholesterol) you may have had. Please complete this form (.pdf) in advance of your appointment when you have time to gather this information. It will help us get a better picture of your overall health.

To prepare for all your visits, we recommend that you gather a list of your current medication, review your health history including cancer history and treatment, and write down your cancer related concerns or questions.

What to Expect:

At every visit, we will review your health history and your current medications. You will have a physical examination and we will discuss your concerns related to cancer. You will be asked to fill out the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) form. This form helps us screen for potential cancer related effects in a consistent manner and better understand your concerns. An individual care plan will be developed and periodically reviewed based on your cancer history and your needs. Surveillance tests (e.g. blood work, imaging tests) will be organized based on your care plan and current guidelines. You may be referred to other health services at WCH or in the community as needed. A summary note of your first visit will be sent your family doctor after each clinic appointment. Your referring doctor will receive a letter after your first visit. In addition, we will liaise with your oncologists as needed.

Visits usually take between 30 to 45 minutes. You will see Dr. Townsley, but you may also meet the Advanced Practice Nurse or a medical fellow/resident during your appointment. As part of an academic teaching hospital, our clinical team may include students and trainees in various disciplines from nursing, allied health and medical residents and fellows. These individuals receive specialized and hands-on training with direct supervision and expertise from our team. 

The number of times you will be followed at the ACTT clinic may vary depending on your cancer diagnosis, any long-term effects from cancer treatment that you may experience, and treatment status. Patients are eventually discharged to their family care practitioners. If you need to go back to your treating oncologists while followed up at ACTT, we will facilitate timely referrals and organize the tests needed to plan treatments in consultation with your oncologist.