After Cancer Treatment Transition Clinic (ACTT)

We are open to new referrals effective Jan 15th 2024.  Program eligibility includes a referral by a treating oncologist and patients must reside in the M postal code region.

These are the types of cancer that are seen at the ACTT clinic:

  • breast cancer
  • thyroid cancer
  • gynecological cancer (e.g. uterine, cervical, ovarian cancer)
  • melanoma
  • gastrointestinal (e.g. colon, rectal cancer)
  • testicular cancer

Patients are followed up in this clinic for a limited amount of time depending on their needs, treatment, and surveillance plan. Eventually, patients are transitioned from the ACTT team to their primary care practitioners when appropriate as per evidence-based guidelines and protocols. When a recurrence is detected, the ACTT team facilitates investigations and referrals back to the treating oncologists in a timely manner. 

Contact Info

76 Grenville St
Floor 5
Toronto, ON M5S 1B2

Phone: 416-323-6400 ext. 3297

Please note that phone messages are returned within 2-3 business days.

If there is an emergency, please dial 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.

Fax: 416-323-6001

Hours
Monday to Friday
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Dr. Carol Townsley, Medical Director
Dr. Townsley coordinates and oversees the care of all patients referring to the ACTT clinic. She provides medical management of long and persistent effects from cancer, coordinates ongoing therapy and surveillance tests according to current guidelines, and communicates to the patient’s primary care physician regarding the cancer survivorship plan and guidelines for follow up care. Moreover, she consults with the referring physician as needed and organizes referrals as appropriate. As the Medical Director, she is in charge of the ACTT team and the development of the clinic.

Aronela Benea, RN, MScN, Advanced Practice Nurse
The advanced practice nurse (APN) collaborates with other health professionals to coordinate patient care, conducts physical assessments, reviews medical history, addresses patients’ concerns, engages in survivorship care planning, and offers telephone support when appropriate.

Helen Stiller, RN
The RN provides specialized oncology care to patients. In addition to administrative duties, the RN connects with patients over the phone to address their concerns and coordinate their care.

Wilma Pesongco, Administrative Assistant
The Administrative Assistant provides clerical support including telecommunications and customer service functions. The Administrative Assistant facilitates efficient and timely access to specialty services by receiving and processing referrals and scheduling and confirming of appointments.

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
  • referral by a treating oncologist
  • patients must reside in the M postal code region

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. 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.

The following tests may be organized for your ACTT appointment as part of your routine follow up. This will depend on your individual care plan:

  • Breast imaging tests (e.g. mammogram, breast MRI, breast US)
  • CT scans (chest/abdomen/pelvis)
  • Ultrasound (thyroid, abdomen, pelvis, etc.)
  • Blood work (tumor markers)

Patients being followed up for thyroid cancer will receive a letter with a blood test requisition for blood work to be done 2-3 weeks prior to their visit. You can have the blood work done at WCH or closer to your home. Remember that the results are needed at your visit and that it may take longer for blood work done close to your home to be sent to ACTT clinic.

Additional tests may be organized depending on your symptoms, concerns, and physical examination.

Preparing for Your Tests

Please view the following pages for more information on the types of tests and how to prepare for these procedures