New Patients - Your First Appointment

Before Your First Appointment

Once we have reviewed your medical information, we will contact you with the date and time of your first appointment to talk with an oncologist about your diagnosis and treatment plan.

Your First Visit to the Cancer Centre

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

• Date of birth
• Address
• Family doctor's name
• Saskatchewan Health Card number
• Other health insurance coverage
• Contact information
• Treaty number, if applicable
• Health care directive (living will)

You should arrive 10 minutes before your appointment to answer these questions. Translators are available as needed. On later visits, please let us know if your information has changed. 

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.

What to Bring

• A list of the medicines you are taking at home. This includes Tylenol, vitamins, dietary supplements (Boost, Ensure, etc.) and any herbal preparations or traditional medicines and treatments.
• Your Saskatchewan Health Card. If you have private health insurance, please bring that information as well.
• A list of things you are allergic to, including medications and foods.
• 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. They can help you remember things you have been told or hear something you might have missed.
• Things to help you pass the time. The cancer centres offer free wi-fi.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

• We ask that your write your questions down to bring to your appointment.
• Bring a notepad and pen to write things down or something to take information down on.

Other Helpful Information

• You will be asked for your name and date of birth each time someone is involved in your care, at each visit to the cancer centre. This is to ensure we are providing the right service to the right person.
• Please do not wear scented products like perfume, aftershave, hair spray or lotions.
• 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.
• If you must cancel or delay your first appointment, please call the cancer centre as much in advance as possible. To cancel an appointment, please call:
  Allan Blair Cancer Centre:  306-766-2213
  Saskatoon Cancer Centre: 306-655-2662

After Your First Visit

Your cancer doctor and nurse will give you information to take home with you to read and share with others. 

You may wish to keep a journal or notebook of all your tests, procedures or treatments. You may be given an appointment to come back for more discussion or for treatment.

Your doctor and nurse team will let know you the location your treatment will take place. 

If you have any questions after your first visit, please call:

Allan Blair Cancer Centre:  306-766-2213
Saskatoon Cancer Centre: 306-655-2662