Your first visit
**Please DO NOT come to the centre if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Fever OR
- Cough, new or worsening OR
- Difficulty breathing/Shortness of breath, new or worsening OR
- Loss of sense of smell OR
- Runny nose or nasal congestion OR
- Sore throat OR
- Painful swallowing OR
- Headache OR
- Muscle aches OR
- Fatigue OR
- Loss of appetite OR
- Chills OR
- Vomiting OR
- Diarrhea OR
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye) OR
- Have you been instructed in the last 14 days to self- isolate? OR
- Been in contact with someone who has suspected or known COVID-19 in the last 14 days? OR
- Been tested for COVID-19 and results are positive or pending?
- Been discharged from a unit/site experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak?
If you develop any of these symptoms before an in-person appointment/treatment, please phone the BC Cancer - Victoria Nurse Line at (250) 519-5596 between 8:30am - 4:30pm for further direction.
Please DO NOT come to the center if you have any of these symptoms.
BC Cancer patients are at a higher risk for more severe symptoms associated with COVID-19. To protect all vulnerable patients and limit the risk of exposure for patients and staff, patients attending follow up appointments or receiving treatment within a BC Cancer center will be required to attend by yourself.
New Patients ONLY: Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be emotional and some patients may feel overwhelmed. New patients who are visiting a BC Cancer centre for a first visit may bring one adult support person to accompany them.
All subsequent patient appointments including treatment: You will be required to attend by yourself. If you think you need a support person to come with you to follow up appointments due to health issues such as mobility, cognitive or mental health difficulties, we will evaluate this on a case-by-case basis at the pre-appointment screening call or at screening upon arrival for your appointment.
Please enter through the first floor entrance and check in at the main reception. Upon entry to the building you will be asked screening questions and required to put on a medical mask. A mask will be available at the front door.
Our café is currently closed. If you require nourishment during your visit, please bring your own food and drink if necessary.
For more information regarding COVID-19:
Call 1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319) or text 604-630-0300 between 7:30am - 8:00pm. Information is available in 110 languages.
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Your first visit is for consultation and planning. You may receive a telephone call before your first visit asking for general information (i.e. general personal information, physician name) that will help us register you. If you do not receive a call, don't worry–we will get the information from you at the time of your visit.
The PRISM form takes around 15 to 30 minutes to complete. If you previously submitted a PRISM form, notify the clerk as you will not need to complete it a second time. Once submitted, you will then be directed to one of the clinics for your first visit with a cancer specialist.
During your first visit, you will meet members of your cancer care team. They will learn about you and, together, make plans for your care. It is very unlikely you will receive any treatment during this visit unless there are specific circumstances that call for it.
Your first visit will last about 2½ hours during which a physical examination will be conducted by a cancer specialist. This will be an opportunity to talk and ask questions to the specialist and your nurse. After the physical examination, the cancer specialist will talk to you about ongoing care.
At the end of your first visit, you will be provided with an appointment card, featuring your chart number and contact information, if we are expecting you to return. Any upcoming appointments will be recorded on this card. Please have it with you whenever you visit or contact us, as the chart number is used for identification; this will speed up your service.
If you need assistance, a volunteer or clerk will be available to escort you, and answer any questions you may have.
If you are a prostate cancer patient, we are excited to offer the Prostate Cancer Supportive Care (PCSC) Program to support you and your family. We offer complimentary education sessions and clinical services. Many of the sessions offer a virtual Web-Ex option. No referral is necessary.
