The DocTalks Podcast

More than 500,000 Canadians live with dementia -- an overall term for a set of symptoms caused by disorders affecting the brain such as Alzheimer’s disease. There is currently no cure or treatments that can reverse dementia however, through research, St. Joseph’s Lawson scientists, led by Dr. Michael Borrie, Medical Director for St. Joseph’s Aging Brain and Memory Clinic, a key member of the Canad...

According to the Cleveland Clinic, a human heart beats about 100,000 times per day. Last season, DocTalks featured an episode on heart health in women – today, Dr. Neville Suskin joins the show to discuss heart health in men. Men are 2 times more likely to suffer a heart attack than women, and are newly diagnosed with heart disease on average 10 years before women. Dr. Suskin discusses why this is...

How would you feel if you could no longer smell your favourite scent?  Anosmia is a partial or full loss of smell. While usually a temporary symptom of an illness like a cold or sinus infection, more serious medical issues like a brain injury or diabetes could cause anosmia. On today’s episode of the DocTalks Podcast, Dr. Leigh Sowerby, Division Head of Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery at St. Jose...

What does life look like after cancer, once the treatment is done and you’re deemed cancer-free? On today’s episode of PatientTalks, a spinoff of the DocTalks Podcast, Kellie Chouinard joins the show to discuss survivorship. From grief, to support systems, to follow-up appointments, Kellie’s conversation with host, Mandi Fields, is an intimate and vulnerable look at life after breast cancer.    Th...

Lymphedema is a chronic condition that develops when the lymphatic system is damaged – whether from radiation, lymph node removal or other interventions. In breast cancer patients, with the removal of underarm lymph nodes, the average rate of lymphedema is 3%. If there is removal of underarm lymph nodes and radiation combined, the risk increases to an average of 12%. Today’s episode of PatientTalk...

In recent years, the breast cancer incident rate in women under 50 has risen faster than in women over 50. Being diagnosed with breast cancer young comes with a unique set of challenges. On today’s episode of PatientTalks, Jenna Dias is back and joined by Katie Pollock to discuss what it’s like to be diagnosed young. Both diagnosed in their 30s, Jenna and Katie provide vulnerable insights into hai...

It is estimated 1 in 8 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. On today’s episode of The DocTalks Podcast, a new series, PatientTalks kicks off with Jenna Dias, a St. Joseph’s patient and breast cancer survivor. Jenna joins host Mandi Fields to discuss the new PatientTalks series, her breast cancer journey and advice she has for those just starting, or in the midst o...

It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly how many men experience low testosterone due to varying definitions and study populations, however data suggests that about 2% of men may have low testosterone, and another study has estimated that more than 8% of men aged 50 to 79 years have low testosterone. On today’s episode of the DocTalks Podcast, Dr. Jeffrey Campbell, a urologist at St. Joseph’s Health Car...

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, with 1/3 new cases of cancer in Canada being skin cancer. Being exposed to UV rays is one of the main causes of skin cancer, whether from the sun or tanning equipment – but most skin cancer is preventable. On today’s episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Mandi Fields is joined by Dr. Corey Moore, Site Head of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at St...

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, more than 878,000 Canadian adults have experienced a stroke. Strokes affect each person differently, based on where and how much damage is done to the brain, but there is hope. On this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie talks to Dr. Jamie Fleet, a physiatrist from St. Joseph’s Parkwood Institute about the various treatments availabl...

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations and deaths among people aged 65 or older in Canada. 50% of falls occur at home and the most common injury from a fall are fractures. However, falls can be prevented. On today's episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie chats with Dr. Jaspreet Banghu a geriatrician at Parkwood Institute with a specialization in falls assessmen...

Each year, about 1,550 Canadians are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 400 will die from it. Yet cervical cancer can be prevented with regular cervical screening and follow-up of abnormal results. On this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie chats with Dr. Robert Di Cecco an obstetrician and gynecologist and the medical director of St. Joseph’s Colposcopy Clinic about the symptoms,...

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, 66 people in our country are diagnosed with colorectal cancer every day and almost 38 per cent of those people will die from the disease. While most cases occur in adults over age 50, it’s becoming more common in the younger population. In this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie chats with Dr. Jamie Gregor, a gastroenterologist in the Gast...

Did you know that how you walk can indicate how healthy your brain is? Studies show how someone walks and how fast can be an early predictor of future falls, frailty, dementia and even life expectancy. According to the Cleveland Clinic, by age 60, 15% of people will have an abnormal gait, a number that jumps to 80% once we hit 85. On this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie chats w...

According to Asthma Canada asthma is the third most common disease in our nation, affecting more than 3.8 Million people. While there is no one cause or cure for asthma, there are triggers asthma sufferers should avoid and ways to control their condition. On this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie discusses the triggers, treatments and new science in asthma with Dr. Constance Mack...

More women die from osteoporotic fractures than from breast and ovarian cancer combined. According to Osteoporosis Canada, over 80 per cent of all fractures in people over age 50 are caused by osteoporosis. Unfortunately, once a fracture happens, this silent disease is often in the advanced stages. Prevention through a healthy lifestyle is possible and on this episode of the DocTalks podcast, host...

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, making it the most common cancer for women. However, early detection and new treatment options have improved the survival rate for breast cancer patients. On this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie chats with Dr. Sarah Knowles, the Interim Medical Director of St. Joseph’s Breast Care Program about the diagn...

Chest pressure, burning sensation, jaw or neck pain - did you know these could be signs of a heart attack in women? Sometimes women ignore these symptoms, thinking they may be because of other illnesses. In this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie chats with Dr. Ashlay Huitema a cardiologist in the Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention Program at St. Joseph’s Health Care...

According to the Canadian Association of Optometrists, 2.4% of North Americans have lazy eyes, and 5% of children have crossed eyes, conditions that often go unnoticed but can lead to blindness if untreated. On this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie is joined by Dr. Sapna Sharan, an Ophthalmologist from St. Joseph's Health Care London's Ivey Eye Institute to uncover the causes, s...

For most women, pregnancy and birth are a time for celebration. It can also be a time of significant change in their bodies, hormones, diet and sleep. These changes can worsen or bring on mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. Between 10 and 20 percent of pregnant women and new mothers are affected by perinatal mood and anxiety disorders during pregnancy or in the first year after giving...

Inside all of us are tiny microbes that help our immune system judge friend from foe, breakdown and absorb nutrients and protect us from pathogens. Numerous studies have proven our gut flora, made up of these microorganisms, is tied to virtually every process in our body. Various diseases and conditions can affect our bodies microbiome and one way we can help bring balance back is through ingestin...

Nearly 8 million or 1 in 5 Canadians live with chronic pain (Government of Canada). People who experience chronic pain face a wide range of physical, emotional and social challenges while suffering what's often referred to as an invisible illness. There is hope and in this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie chats with Dr. Geoff Bellingham an anesthetist and the Medical Director of...

Some of us remember a time when booking a yearly check-up with our family doctor was just part of trying to stay healthy. But is that common practice now? And is it something that people who don’t have a family doctor, a number that’s rising in Ontario, need to be worried about? On this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie chats with Dr. Laura Lyons, a family physician at St. Joseph...

Wrist pain is often caused by sprains or fractures from sudden injuries but can also be from long-term problems, such as repetitive stress, arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. How do you know what is causing your wrist pain and what will help? In this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie asks these questions of Dr. Ruby Grewal and orthopaedic surgeon at St. Joseph's Health Care Lo...

Did you know rheumatoid arthritis affects one in 100 Canadians of all ages? This debilitating autoimmune condition causes the body's immune system to mistakenly attack its own tissue. Experts say it's like the body is on fire but if diagnosed and treated early that fire can be put out. In this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie and Dr. Tom Appleton, a Rheumatologist in the Rheumat...