The Dose

AI-assisted mammograms are already a thing. They use deep learning to help detect breast cancer and, in some cases, predict your risk of getting it. Given that breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in Canada, University of Alberta professor Amber Simpson says the tech behind AI-assisted mammograms is promising and a potential step forward. For transcripts of The Dose, please vi...

Look out Canada, flu season is here early! As influenza cases rise across the country, experts warn it's still too soon to say how bad this season will be. Alberta infectious diseases specialist Dr. Lynora Saxinger joins the show to talk everything flu, COVID-19 and RSV. She says wash your hands, stay indoors if you've got the sniffles, and get your vaccines as soon as they're available. For trans...

Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer in Canada, and a growing number of never-smokers are getting diagnosed. Dr. Nicole Ezer, director of McGill University Health Centre's lung cancer screening centre, explains why this is happening and how workplace and environmental exposures may be contributing.

Finally, a social media "maxxing" trend that gets it right! Most people don't eat nearly enough fibre, according to dietitian and nutritionist Nishta Saxena. She says it's easy to increase your fibre intake and with benefits ranging from gut health to mood to your cardiovascular system, "it's better to have a fart attack than a heart attack." Looking to improve your nutrition? Check out our episod...

An estimated 240 Canadians die from cancer every day. Now, a growing number of companies are offering cancer-detecting blood tests. Some claim they can detect signs of more than 50 types of cancer. Princess Margaret oncologist and researcher Dr. Raymond Kim says these liquid biopsies show promise, but there are good reasons to think twice before paying for one. For transcripts of The Dose, please...

Sports betting ads promise big payouts and quick cash. But new research shows gambling-related ER visits nearly doubled in Ontario after online betting expanded, raising concerns about a larger public health issue. Addiction researcher Andrew Kim says avoiding specific games can lower the risk of developing a gambling problem. For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts . Tr...

More than 750,000 Canadians live with dementia, including Alzheimer’s. Many more, like host Dr. Brian Goldman, worry they could develop it. Now, U.K. researchers are testing whether the drug trontinemab could prevent Alzheimer’s before symptoms appear. Dr. Ramin Nilforooshan, a psychiatrist involved in the trials, explains what Alzheimer’s prevention could mean — and what you can do now. For trans...

Social media is filled with people discussing their mental health symptoms, often encouraging others to consider getting a diagnostic label as well. Dr. Gail Beck, a child psychiatrist at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, says experts like her are seeing more young patients seeking a diagnosis, while others are asking about neurodivergence. For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/do...

The Dose is currently on a summer break, but we wanted to feature some of our favourite shows while we’re away. This week, we've put together two episodes where we explore the science behind two popular wellness trends, including: What's the real evidence on injectable peptides and What do we know so far about psilocybin as a medical treatment? Have a listen. For transcripts of The Dose, please vi...

This week, we’re revisiting two episodes that tackle big questions about weight management and nutrition: How healthy is eating one meal a day? And, how should you adapt your diet while taking GLP-1 drugs? We explore what the evidence says about these popular approaches and what they mean for your health. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.

Canada's Bill C-34 aims to restrict social media access for people under the age of 16. Supporters say it could help reduce rising rates of depression, anxiety and social isolation. But Dr. Shimi Kang, a psychiatrist and clinical associate professor at UBC, says the proposed restrictions need more clarity, noting that social media can also help marginalized young people find support. For transcrip...

Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected in Toronto and Vancouver for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but what does that mean for public health? Dr. Michelle Murti, medical officer of health for Toronto Public Health, says her team has planned for everything from infectious diseases to heat to food safety, and will be ready when the games kick off. For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/...

An Ebola outbreak coursing through the Democratic Republic of Congo has experts worried it might rival the worst outbreak in history. Dr. Joanne Liu was president of Doctors Without Borders during that deadly 2014 outbreak in West Africa. As countries like Canada suspend travel from Congo, Liu says border closures don't help mitigate the spread of disease — only treating Ebola can.  For trans...

As ticks and tick-borne diseases rise across Canada due to warmer weather, experts are warning about two invasive species: the lone star and Asian longhorned ticks. Entomologist Jade Savage, creator and director of the eTick monitoring platform , says authorities are closely tracking them. In the meantime, she gives practical steps we can take to reduce the risk of tick bites. For our episode on a...

From seasonal allergies to infections, red eyes can have many causes. University of Calgary ophthalmologist Dr. Helen Chung talks about what’s behind eye redness, when drops can help, and when it’s time to see a doctor. For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click...

Toronto and Hamilton are experiencing outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease, a serious type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. Infectious diseases physician Dr. Isaac Bogoch says it spreads through natural, as well as artificial water systems, like cooling towers, hot tubs, and plumbing, so it's important that buildings are up to code. For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-t...

Three people have died after a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, and several others are seriously ill. While hantaviruses are typically carried by rodents and rarely infect humans, health officials are investigating the cases. Infectious diseases specialist Dr. Zain Chagla explains what you need to know about hantavirus and how to avoid infection.  For transcripts of The Dose, please visi...

Psychedelics are a hot topic, and a drug called ibogaine is receiving attention after a recent shoutout from U.S. President Donald Trump. University of Calgary psychedelics researcher Leah Mayo explains what ibogaine is, and why limited high-quality research has her hesitant to recommend it. For transcripts of The Dose, please visit:  lnk.to/dose-transcripts . Transcripts of each episode will...

Erectile dysfunction is commonly thought of as a sexual health issue, but experts say the condition can reveal a lot about men's health. Dr. Dean Elterman, a urologist at the University Health Network in Toronto, says ED can be connected to a host of other health problems including diabetes and heart disease. For transcripts of The Dose, please visit:  lnk.to/dose-transcripts . Transcripts of...

Some private clinics in Canada are offering whole-body MRIs that can run thousands of dollars. They claim these scans can detect a range of issues, and can find cancers in the early stages. Dr. Iain Kirkpatrick, the head of radiology at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, explains what a whole-body MRI can - and can’t - tell you about your health. For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/d...

Young female athletes are considerably more likely to tear their anterior cruciate ligaments, or ACLs, than young men. Dr. Marie-Lyne Nault is an orthopedic surgeon and researcher specializing in pediatric sports medicine in Montreal. She explains why the risk is higher, and how women and teens can significantly reduce the risk of a tear. For transcripts of The Dose, please visit:  lnk.to/dos...

Meningococcal disease is a rare but potentially lethal bacterial infection. Two young people died in a recent outbreak in the U.K. Infectious diseases specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch explains what you need to know about this disease and how to protect yourself. For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts . Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. F...

Psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, shows promise for treating depression and other mental health conditions. Dr. Joshua Rosenblat, a psychiatrist and researcher at the Krembil Brain Institute at UHN, explains the latest research and its potential for future treatments—though it's still illegal in Canada.

Wellness influencers on social media are touting injectable peptides as a new wonder drug, claiming compounds like BPC-157 can improve muscle strength, boost recovery times and even increase longevity. But University of Alberta health misinformation expert Tim Caulfield says the evidence doesn’t support the hype, and warns people against injecting unregulated substances. For transcripts of The Dos...

A recent survey found roughly three million Canadians are taking GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro. The drugs can reduce appetite and cravings, and could also affect the body’s fat and muscle stores. Jennifer Brown, director of program innovation at Obesity Canada and a registered dietitian, says people on GLP-1 drugs may need to be more intentional about what they eat — from protein and...