Preparing for your visit to the Gattuso Rapid Diagnostic Centre

Transcription

1 Preparing for your visit to the Gattuso Rapid Diagnostic Centre Princess Margaret For patients receiving testing for breast changes Read this resource to learn: What the Rapid Diagnostic Centre does Where to go What to bring What to expect during your visit Gattuso Rapid Diagnostic Centre Princess Margaret Cancer Centre 3rd floor, Breast Imaging 610 University Avenue Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9 Phone: ext. 1 Fax: Website: Please visit the UHN Patient Education website for more health information: 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: Gattuso Rapid Diagnostic Centre Revised: 07/2016 Form: D-5964

2 What is the Gattuso Rapid Diagnostic Centre? The Gattuso Rapid Diagnostic Centre (GRDC) helps people quickly find out if they have breast cancer. Most breast changes are not breast cancer. Providing an answer quickly means that many people will spend less time worrying. For those who find out they have cancer, it means they get treatment sooner. Within several days, the centre will give you: an assessment diagnostic testing (imaging and biopsies as needed) a plan for follow-up care or treatment If you need more care, the centre will help you arrange future appointments. Read page 5 to 8 to find out more about what to expect. I need to drop off my tests and images before the appointment. Where do I go? Drop off your images and reports to this location: Information Desk Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Main floor 610 University Avenue Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9 Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm On the front of the package, please write: Attn: Gattuso Rapid Diagnostic Centre Department of Surgical Oncology 3rd Floor, Room Princess Margaret Cancer Centre 610 University Avenue Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9 Phone: You can drop it off in-person or courier your package. Do not send it through regular mail. 2

3 How should I prepare for the tests and procedures? Visit this website to learn how to prepare for each test you may have: You can also pick up a printed copy of the instructions at the Patient and Family Library. It is located on the Main floor. Ask the Librarian for the Rapid Diagnostic resources. Hours: Monday to Thursday Friday 8:30 am 4:30 pm 8:30 am 4:00 pm What information should I have ready? During your appointment, the nurse practitioner will ask you about: How you or your doctor first found the breast change What medicines you are taking What allergies you have What surgeries or procedures you have had Your pregnancy history When your period (menstruation) first started or stopped Whether anyone in your family has had cancer. You will also need to know: The type of cancer The age they were diagnosed Where do I go for my first appointment? Check in at the: Breast Imaging Department 3rd Floor, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre 3

4 What will happen during my assessment and physical exam? During this appointment, you will meet with a nurse practitioner. A nurse practitioner is a nurse with specialized training. They can: order tests and explain test results explain your diagnosis prescribe medicine do certain medical procedures During this appointment, the nurse practitioner will: talk to you about your health history do a breast exam explain the different tests and procedures you may need answer any of your questions 4

5 Getting your appointment A breast change is found Your doctor may have found this change during breast imaging or during a check up. You or someone else may have also found this breast change. Not all breast changes can be felt by hand. Your doctor sends a referral to the GRDC Your doctor will fax a referral directly to the GRDC. A receptionist calls you The receptionist will confirm that they have received the referral. They will ask you to collect all your breast mammograms, ultrasounds and MRIs from the last 3 years. You will also need the written reports for each image. If you have access to 5 years worth of images and reports, then collect them too. Pick up your breast images and test results Call the locations where you had your breast imaging done. There may be more than one location. Arrange to collect a copy of the breast images and reports. 5

6 Drop off your breast images and reports at the Princess Margaret Drop off your images as soon as possible. The radiologist will need time to review your images and reports. The images will help the radiologist make a recommendation on the types of tests you will need. Drop off your package at the Information Desk on the Main Floor of Princess Margaret. See page 2 for more details. While you are at the hospital, you can visit the Patient and Family Library. There, you can pick up print information about how to prepare for testing. See page 3 for hours and location. You can also access the resources online at A receptionist will call you a 2nd time The receptionist will: Give you your appointment time and place. Tell you what tests you may be getting that day. The type of test you need may change when you come in for your appointment. Go to GRDC website to learn more. Preparing for your appointment You will prepare for the appointment There are a few things you may need to do to prepare for the appointment. There are also some things you will need to bring with you. Please refer to the print resources, GRDC website or watch the biopsy videos to learn more. 6

7 The day of testing Go to your 1st appointment Check in at the Breast Imaging Department on the 3rd floor. Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment. Bring your health card Eat your breakfast as usual Meet a nurse practitioner for an assesment and breast exam To learn more about this appointment, see page 4. At the end of this appointment, you will find out when you will get the results. The nurse practitioner will write down the time and place on a card for you. Get tests in the morning This may include ultrasounds, mammograms and biopsies. Altogether your appointment in GRDC will take 2-3 hours Wait for your test results Before you leave, your nurse practitioner will tell you when you will get your test results. You may get your test results on the same day or a few days later. 7

8 Getting your results Go to your 2nd appointment Check the appointment card you received from the nurse practitioner for the time and place. This appointment may not be at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. It may be at a partner hospital close by. Meet with a nurse practitioner and doctor to talk about your test results They will explain your test results. The doctor who referred you will also receive a copy of your test results. If you need any follow-up appointments or treatments, the clinic will arrange these appointments for you. If the results do not show a clear answer, you may need more testing. 8