Cancer Support and Information for Patients and Families

Cancer affects not only the physical body, but also the emotional, social, spiritual and financial domains of life. On this page you will find some of the many resources available to cancer patients and their families.

To broaden your search, the Canadian Cancer Society provides a Community Services Locator with updated information on services and programs for people living with cancer.  

Support services at the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre

The PEI Cancer Treatment Centre has a team of skilled professionals including a social worker, spiritual care clinician, dietitian, breast prosthesis consultant, drug access navigator and cancer patient navigator. 

You can access these services through your care team (doctors, nurses, radiation therapists, etc.) or by contacting the cancer patient navigator.

Online resources

The Canadian Cancer Society provides helpful information on cancer types and treatments, connects to resources, and offers online programs.

Wellspring - Well on the Web is a Canadian non-profit organization with live support groups and workshops as well as self-paced learning opportunities. 

Local support groups

Cancer Support Group (all types)

• meets twice monthly in Charlottetown and once monthly in Summerside
• call 902-894-2552 or email cancersupport@ihis.org for more information

Breast Cancer Support Group

• meets monthly in Charlottetown
• visit PEI Breast Cancer Information Partnership for more information

Prostate Cancer Support Group 

• meets monthly in Charlottetown 
• contact Ron Profit at 902-892-2896 or ronjprofit@gmail.com for more information

Hospice PEI’s Caregiver Support Program 

• helps unpaid caregivers navigate the end-of-life journey with a loved one
• meets monthly in Charlottetown, Summerside and West Prince
• call 902-368-4498 or email hpca@hospicepei.ca for more information

Palliative Support Program

• a provincial program for individuals who are facing a life-limiting illness
• meets weekly in Charlottetown
• contact the program coordinator at 902-368-4781 for more information

Health and wellness programs

Through a partnership with the Department of Health and Wellness and Recreation PEI, Beck Exercise Physiology is offering a free, virtual, educational program created for Islanders with chronic diseases.

The Look Good Feel Better Program offers in-person and online workshops for women, men and teens to help manage the appearance-related impact of cancer and its treatment.

The Cancer Treatment Centre offers supportive counseling and free nicotine replacement therapy to patients who want to quit smoking. For more information visit Quitting Smoking: Support for People with Cancer. 

The Provincial Lymphedema Management Program provides an assessment and education to those who have had lymph nodes removed as part of their cancer treatment. For more information call 902-894-2062 to speak to a physiotherapist about the program.

Financial support programs  

Cancer treatment may result in a loss of income as well as an increase in medical and transportation expenses. Visit the Financial Support for People with Cancer web page to learn about financial support programs.

Medical travel programs

Visit the Medical Travel Information for People with Cancer web page for answers to frequently asked questions and a list of support programs related to medical travel.

Practical support programs

Meals on Wheels PEI is a not-for-profit organization offering nutritious and affordable meals to those in need. 

AccessAbility Supports is a provincial program offering personal, housing, community, caregiver and financial support to those with physical, intellectual, neurological, sensory or mental disabilities.

The Canadian Red Cross operates a Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP). This program provides short- and long-term loans of medical equipment including wheelchairs and walkers to those with experiencing illness or recovering from injury.

The Provincial Home Care Program provides a range of health care and support services if you have acute, chronic, palliative or rehabilitative health care needs including assistance with daily activities and nursing care. 

Other supports

PEI Breast Prosthesis Program

Women who have had breast surgery can get their first prosthetic and adapted bra free of charge (approximately $400 value) from the PEI Breast Prosthesis Program by calling Eileen Moore, mastectomy prosthesis consultant, at 902-892-4556. Post-mastectomy surgery patients can meet at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) to have a fitting six weeks after surgery.

Canadian Cancer Society Wig Services

All Canadians, no matter where they live, can borrow free wigs by filling out a simple online order form. Based on the information provided, the CCS will email you up to three wig options to select from. The wig you select will then be mailed directly to your home.

Dreams Come True Free Wig Program

Charlottetown hair salon Dreams Come True provides free wigs to cancer patients who cannot afford to purchase their own. Contact Carla Wilson-MacKinnon at 902-940-0790 for more information.

PEI cancer patient navigator

The provincial cancer patient navigator is available to help cancer patients and their families at any point in the cancer journey.

The navigator does not provide medical care but may be able to help address your medical and non-medical needs through support, education, advocacy, and referrals to programs and services. 

Contact information

If you have a resource or program you would like to share please reach out to the cancer patient navigator at 902-894-2552 or cancerpatientnavigator@ihis.org.