Patient & Family Education NewsPRINCESS MARGARET CANCER … · • On the eyeball or on the inside surface of the eyelid, called conjunctival tumours • Eye socket, which is the

M AY 2 0 1 5 A N E W S L E T T E R F O R

PAT I E N T S , FA M I L I E S , S TA F F

A N D C O M M U N I T Y M E M B E R S

IN THIS ISSUE

What is Pelvic

Health and what

does it have to do

with cancer?

Eye Tumours and

their Treatment

Options

Library Corner: May

is National Skin

Cancer Awareness

Month

Patient & Family Education NewsP R I N C E S S M A R G A R E T C A N C E R C E N T R E

Read more

What is Pelvic Health and what does it have to do with cancer?By Lianne McCabe PT, MScPT, BScH, Registered Physiotherapist in the Cancer Rehabilitation and Survivorship Centre

What are the pelvic floor muscles and why are they important?The pelvic floor muscles are located at the bottom of the pelvis. They are attached to the pubic bone in the front of the pelvis to the tailbone in the back. It’s a relatively small group of muscles, but hard working none-the-less! A well-functioning pelvic floor:

• Prevents urinary and fecal leakage

• Supports our pelvic organs

• Stabilizes the low back and hip joints

• Plays a key role in healthy sexual functioning

Pelvic Health PhysiotherapyPelvic health physiotherapy is a specialized area of physiotherapy that focuses on the proper function of the pelvic floor and the “core” muscles of the body. Our core is made up of the deep abdominal and back muscles, the diaphragm, and the pelvic floor muscles.

A pelvic health physiotherapist is specially trained to assess and treat pelvic floor and core muscle problems. A strong and functional core is dependent on all of its components working together. A pelvic health physiotherapist will do a thorough assessment of posture, breathing and muscle tone before developing a treatment plan.

Role of Pelvic Health Physiotherapy in Cancer CareCancer treatments such as radiation to the pelvis, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and surgery can change the way the pelvic floor muscles work. It is also common for men and women who have been treated for cancer to experience changes to their sexual health. In women, premature menopause brought on by cancer treatment can cause vaginal dryness and pain with intercourse. In men, erectile dysfunction and changes to libido after cancer treatment are common.

If left untreated, pelvic and sexual dysfunction can last for years after cancer treatment. It is important to talk to your health care team about your sexual and pelvic health early.

Pelvis (hip bone)

Pelvic floormuscles

Tailbone

Pubic bone

A pelvic health physiotherapist can help treat or manage many problems associated with cancer treatments including:

• Urinary or fecal leakage

• Urinary or fecal urgency

• Pain with intercourse or pelvic exams (in women)

• Vaginal dryness

• Vaginal stenosis (narrowing of the vaginal canal)

• Genital lymphedema (swelling of the genitals)

Resources available at the Princess Margaret Cancer CentreThere are a variety of pamphlets on pelvic health and sexual dysfunction available in the Princess Margaret Patient and Family Library, located in the Main Floor Atrium of Princess Margaret. Some titles that are available include:

• How to Manage Vaginal stenosis

• Know how to Use Vaginal Moisturizers and Lubricants

• Pelvic Floor “kegel” Exercises (for women)

• Pelvic Floor Exercises (for men)

• Manage Sex and intimacy during and after Gynecologic Cancer Treatment

Women who have questions or concerns about the effects of cancer or cancer treatments on their sexual health, relationships and body image are welcome to attend the “Sex and Intimacy” class. This class is taught by a sex therapist and a pelvic health physiotherapist who have experience working with women with cancer. Pick up a copy of the Patient & Survivorship Education Calendar of Events, available in the Patient and Family Library, for more information.

Women who are patients at the Princess Margaret who require a one-on-one consultation with a pelvic health physiotherapist can ask their doctor to refer them to the Cancer Rehabilitation and Survivorship Centre for a sexual health consultation.

Men treated for prostate cancer at the Princess Margaret who are experiencing sexual or urinary dysfunction can contact the Prostate Cancer Rehabilitation Clinic for an appointment.

For March’s Patient & Family Education Lunch & Learn, Dr. Hatem Krema, Director of Ocular Oncology at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, presented on eye tumours.

Eye tumours can happen in different areas of the eye:

• Inside the eyeball, called intraocular tumours

• On the eyeball or on the inside surface of the eyelid, called conjunctival tumours

• Eye socket, which is the area around and behind the eyeball, called orbital tumours

Dr. Krema explained that an eye tumour does not always mean eye cancer. A growth can be non-cancerous (benign). At the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, only a quarter of people referred to the Ocular clinic are actually diagnosed with eye cancer.

Eye cancer can start from a cancerous (malignant) growth in the eye area, or from a cancer elsewhere in the body that has spread to the eye. About 25% of patients with eye cancer who are seen at Princess Margaret have eye cancer that has spread from another part of the body.

Signs and symptoms of an eye tumour can include:

• A change in vision like blurring or reduced field of view

• Seeing flashes of light or shadows

• Seeing floaters like spots or squiggly lines

• Dark or light spot on your iris (coloured ring in your eye)

• A change in the size or shape of your pupil (the black opening in the centre of your iris)

• Redness and swelling of the eye

• A change in the way your eye moves or the position of your eye

• Eye pain (a rare symptom)

Treatment options for eye tumours depend on what type of eye tumour you have. Treatment can include:

• Surgery to remove the tumour

• Laser therapy, which uses a highly focused beam of light to destroy cancer tissue

• Radiation therapy

• Cryotherapy, which uses extreme cold to freeze and damage abnormal cells

• Chemotherapy

We would like to thank Dr. Hatem Krema for this informative and very interesting talk. As well, thank you to Starbucks for providing coffee and tea for the event.

Eye Tumours and their Treatment OptionsBy Aileen Trang MSc, Patient Education & Research Coordinator

Library Corner: May is National Skin Cancer Awareness MonthBy Michelle Snow, Librarian, Patient & Survivorship Education, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month.

In 2014, it is estimated that 6,500 new cases of melanoma and 76,100 cases of non-melanoma skin cancer will be diagnosed, making skin cancer the most common type of cancer in Canada.

Skin cancer is often divided into two categories: non-melanoma and melanoma. Melanoma is the more deadly of the two skin cancer categories.

Risk factors for developing melanoma:A risk factor is something that increases the risk of developing cancer. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, sun lamps or tanning beds is the most important risk factor for melanoma.

Listed below are some resources available from the Patient & Family Library, located on the main floor atrium at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Learn about sun safety awareness, skin cancer signs, detection and diagnosis, and treatment options.

Pick up a free copy of these brochures at the library.

How to Become a Library MemberThe first time you borrow resources, you will need to fill out a registration form and show valid identification with your name and address, such as a Driver’s License or UHN Hospital Card. Once you register with us, you may borrow resources for a 3 week loan from any of the UHN Patient & Family Libraries.

Library Hours & ContactMonday – Thursday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm;Friday 8:30 am – 4:00 pm

Phone: 416 946 4501 ext. 5383

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.uhn.ca/PrincessMargaret/PatientsFamilies/Specialized_Program_Services/Pages/princess_margaret_patient_family_library.aspx

BooksWhat’s Up With Tiffany’s Dad? Medikidz explain melanoma. American Cancer SocietyGraphic novel for teens

Quick Facts about Melanoma Skin Cancer. American Cancer Society

Online information on Skin CancersUniversity of Michigan skin check app: UMSkinCheck is intended for skin cancer self exam and tracker that allows users to complete and store a full body photographic library, track detected moles and lesions, access information on skin cancer and fill out a melanoma risk calculator.

Canadian Cancer Society www.cancer.ca

Canadian Dermatology Association www.dermatology.ca

The David Cornfield Melanoma Fund www.dcmf.ca

Melanoma Network of Canada www.melanomanetwork.ca

Melanoma Research Foundation www.melanoma.org

Save Your Skin www.saveyourskin.ca

Sun Safety Awareness

Skin Cancer Information and Support Resources

Aim at Melanoma www.aimatmelanoma.orgThis website provides general information about melanoma. Aim at Melanoma focuses on melanoma research, education, awareness, and legislation (laws). They offer clinical trial matching services for caregivers and healthcare professionals for clinical trials happening in the United States and Canada.

Canadian Cancer Society Malignant melanoma: www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/skin-melanoma/pathology-and-staging/malignant-tumours/?region=on

Non-melanoma:www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/skin-non-melanoma/overview/?region=onThis Canadian website has information about risk factors, early detection, signs & symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options for both malignant melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.

Melanoma Network of Canadawww.melanomanetwork.ca This organization was started by melanoma survivors. This website provides information about diagnosis and treatment options. It also provides emotional support through peer support teleconferences, peer to peer support programs, support groups and caregiver resources.

Please visit the UHN Patient Education website for more health information: www.uhnpatienteducation.ca© 2014 University Health Network. All rights reserved. This information is to be used for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for non-commercial personal use only.

Author: Todie Winter, Patient Education; Revised by Michelle SnowCreated: 02/2008Form: D-5455 (03/2014)

UHNWebsitesThe following are credible and up-to-date websites where you can find information that may be helpful to you and your family.

Taking Care of Your Skin During Radiation Therapy

Read this pamphlet to learn about:

• What a radiation skin reaction is

• How to take care of your skin during therapy

• What to do if you have a skin reaction

• How to do saline soaks and sitz baths

For more information on Radiation Therapy, please watch our patient education videos at www.whattoexpectrt.theprincessmargaret.ca. These videos offer a step-by-step guide to the radiation therapy treatment process. They also explain how radiation works in the body and how your team works together to deliver the highest quality treatments.

Information for patients who are having radiation therapy


Author: Angela CashellCreated: 09/2013Form: D-5948

Princess Margaret

Melanoma Research Database

Read this information to learn:

• what the melanoma research database is

• why it collects your health information

• how it works

• how we protect your information and right to privacy

Information for patients and families


Author: DMOH - melanoma groupCreated: 15/05/2014 Form: D-5189

Princess Margaret

The information contained in this newsletter is to be used for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for non-commercial personal use only. © University Health Network - Princess Margaret Hospital - Patient and Family Library - 2015

Patient & Survivorship Education Editor: Alaina Cyr, Patient Education Coordinator | Editorial Board: Nazek Abdelmutti, Daniela Fierini, Robin Forbes, Myann Marks, Lauren ShorserGraphic Artist: Kristin Foster | Please forward comments, questions or submissions to [email protected]

The Patient Education and Survivorship Programs are supported by the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.

“When you’ve had cancer, every day is a gift.”

“ Thanks to the groundbreaking research, the care of Dr. Messner and the compassion of the whole team at The Princess Margaret, I’m here today.”

See Chris Taylor’s story at www.thepmcf.ca

A gift left in your Will can save lives. If cancer is your cause, support one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world. To learn more about planning your gift, call 416-946-2295 or email [email protected]













–Chris Taylor

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Patient & Family Education NewsPRINCESS MARGARET CANCER … · • On the eyeball or on the inside surface of the eyelid, called conjunctival tumours • Eye socket, which is the