Cancer treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions

Yes. In some cases, a doctor from Maple will be able to diagnose cancer based on your past medical history, discussing your symptoms and by observing your condition.

If the doctor wishes to do further testing before offering a cancer diagnosis and treatment options, they may suggest having blood, urine or stool samples taken to help detect cancer causing abnormalities.

Depending on the location of the suspected cancer, the doctor may also suggest laboratory or imaging tests (X-Ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound or fibre-optic endoscopy.)

Typically, if possible, a biopsy is performed on tumors to confirm a cancer diagnosis and determine the most effective treatment methods.

Yes, our physicians can prescribe medications online during your consultation. Once you accept a prescription, you’ll have the option to pick it up from any pharmacy or to have it delivered right to your door at no additional cost.

You can visit our How it Works page to learn more.

Cancer (also known as malignancy) is an abnormal growth of cells. These clusters of cancer cells grow uncontrollably and form masses called tumors.

There are over 100 types of cancer, which can grow in many different parts of the body. The tumors can spread through direct extension, or by traveling through the lymphatic system or blood vessels to other parts of the body.

There are two distinct types of tumors:

• Benign - These tumors won't spread to other parts of the body or create new tumors. They are noncancerous.
• Malignant - These tumors interfere with functions of the body, crowd out healthy cells and steal nutrients from tissues in the body. They are cancerous and can spread.

Symptoms of cancer include:

• Chronic or unexplained fevers or night sweats
• Hoarseness or difficulty swallowing
• Changes in urination or bowel movement habits
• Chronic or unexplained indigestion
• Abdominal discomfort after meals
• Difficulty breathing
• Persistent cough that doesn't improve over time
• Bruising or bleeding without cause
• Chronic joint pain or muscle aches without reason
• Jaundice or darkening of skin
• Sores that won't heal
• Changes to existing moles
• Unintended, abrupt changes in weight
• Severe fatigue
• A lump or area that has begun to thicken beneath the skin

Direct cancer causes vary from one type of cancer to another, but ultimately cancers are a result of a change or mutation in the DNA of cells.

Normal cells each contain a set of instructions that direct the cell on what tasks it’s supposed to perform. The instructions also teach cells how to grow and divide.

These mutations instruct healthy cells to act in a way that isn't normal, such as making mistakes when repairing DNA errors, allowing for rapid cell division or failing to halt uncontrolled cell growth.

While there are a few types of cancer which are difficult to treat, most forms of cancer cells can be treated.

Your doctor will make recommendations on how to treat your cancer depending on what type of cancer has developed, where it's located in your body and how far the cancer has spread (also known as the stage of cancer).

Common methods for treatment of cancer include surgeries to remove the tumor, chemotherapy to kill the cancer cells using drugs and using radiation to damage or destroy cancer cells.

In some cases, your doctor may also recommend less common methods of cancer treatment, such as:

• Targeted therapy (using drugs to target specific parts of cancer cells)
• Stem cell transplants
• Hormone therapy (usually for breast or prostate cancers)
• Immunotherapy
• Photodynamic therapy

Cancer begins when a change or mutation occurs in the DNA of cells, affecting their internal instructions and allowing for uncontrolled division or growth.

This can be caused by genetic mutations already built into the cells' DNA, or through influence by an outside force, such as radiation or exposure to harmful chemicals.

Metastatic cancer (also known as metastasis cancer) refers to the spread of cancer cells from the original cancer source to other parts of the body.

A patient living with metastatic cancer could live anywhere from a few months to 10+ years, depending on the location of their cancer, their cancer types, and the current stage of the cancer.

Life expectancy can vary widely depending on these factors. For instance, a patient with metastatic breast cancer lives an average of 2-3 years, while a patient whose cancer is limited to a single organ or their bones could live 4-5 years.

With proper treatment, patients may be able to extend their life expectancies, and in some cases, even cause the cancer to stop spreading or go into remission.

Maple is a virtual care platform that connects you with our network of Canadian-licensed doctors, nurse practitioners and specialists via secure text, audio or video call. Sign in to your Maple account to start a visit. Learn more about how Maple works here.

A visit works a lot like an in-person appointment. A doctor or nurse practitioner will ask about your symptoms, review your health history and recommend a treatment plan that's right for you. Sometimes, you might need to see someone in person. When that happens, we'll help you figure out what comes next.

As a Maple member, you get 24/7 access to care online. Connect with our network of Canadian-licensed doctors and nurse practitioners in minutes via secure text, audio or video call.

Membership is $85/month. One membership, care for your whole family. In eligible provinces, membership includes:

• Daily visits: one visit a day with a doctor or nurse practitioner for each family member in your household
• Paediatric care: covered paediatric primary care visits, available by appointment
• Second Medical Opinion: when you're unsure about a complex diagnosis, like cancer or MS, or want to understand all your options, you and your family can access an expert Second Medical Opinion
• Personal Health Check-Ins: personalized, evidence-based proactive care screenings to help you stay on top of your health
• iCBT courses: internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy self-assessments and courses
• Specialists: see a specialist in days, not months. No referral necessary.
• Specialist referrals: a referral to a physician specialist for in-person care, if needed

Membership can't be combined with other offerings, such as private insurance coverage and provincial programs, where available. A Healthcare Spending Account (HSA) may cover your membership fees. Check with your HSA provider for details.

Your Maple monthly membership covers virtual care for you, your spouse and your dependents under the age of 18 who share the same primary residence. Full disclaimer and refund policy here.

We accept all major credit cards, including AMEX, plus Google Pay and Apple Pay.

Privacy is at the core of how we deliver care. We follow Canadian privacy and healthcare laws, including PIPEDA and PHIPA, to protect your personal and health information.

Our policies and consent processes are simple and easy to understand, so you stay in control. Strong security infrastructure and strict data policies protect every session. You keep control of your personal health information, medical records and test results at all times. We also work with leading experts and review our policies regularly.

All doctors and nurse practitioners who deliver care through Maple are licensed in Canada and governed by their regulatory colleges. They must follow the telemedicine policies set by the medical regulator in each province.

Regulators across Canada recognize the value of virtual care. It helps improve access to care for patients and makes care delivery more efficient for practitioners and Canada's healthcare system.