This Medical Life

Over the last 100 years, numerous types of implants (i.e. ivory, glass, wool) and injections (i.e. epoxy resin, beeswax, paraffin) have been used in an attempt for breast augmentation but the results were poor. In 1962, the first operation using silicone implants was performed and it revolutionised breast surgery. Breast augmentation surgery (cosmetic and reconstructive) is one of the most common cosmetic surgeries in Australia, Un...

The interplay between genetics and medications is important but complex. Pharmacogenomic testing provides doctors with information about how individual patients may respond to certain medications (ie. fast and slow metabolisers).

The RCPA recently released guidelines for doctors about requesting patient pharmacogenomic testing before prescribing some medications. These guidelines have identified 35 medications into three pharmacoge...

In 1924, a surgeon and a pathologist had a conversation about some patients with multiple bowel polyps. The pathologist, Dr Cuthbert Dukes, and the surgeon, Mr JP Lockhart-Mummery, noted that patients had a family history of bowel cancer and could have hundreds of colonic polyps. They, with the help of HRJ Bussey, set up the Polyposis Registry.

The registry collected information about these patients and the families from 1918 to 19...

We have come a long way in our understanding of epilepsy and seizures.

Historically, epilepsy was associated with possession and demonic forces.

Modern medicine has helped us to understand that epilepsy is an electrical disorder of the brain that can affect an area or the entire brain itself.

Unfortunately, a lot of stigma and misinformation remains about epilepsy and it is an important condition to be aware of.

This is the story o...

It is evident from paintings that Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo suffered some form of underlying hand pathologies. These have been the focus of discussions and journal articles amongst many academics. Our understanding of different disease processes involving the hand have come a long way. There are a lot of options for patients both medical and surgical that we discuss in this episode.

This is the story of hand pathology

Our...

Hyponatraemia, the most common electrolyte disturbance in clinical medicine, is often subtle but can be serious.

In this episode, we trace the surprising history of fluid replacement back to the 1832 cholera riots in Liverpool, where experimental saline saved lives amidst chaos and mistrust.

We then bring the conversation into modern practice, exploring diagnostic steps, common causes, and when GPs should refer patients to hospital...

In 1958, Dr Denis Burkitt was working in Uganda when he saw multiple children with large and aggressive jaw tumours. He had never seen anything like this before and he investigated further. Over the next few years, he discovered that these tumours had a geographical distribution across equatorial Africa and also was related to rainfall.

This led to the discovery of an aggressive form of lymphoma that we now know as Burkitt lymphoma...

Osteoporosis is a disease that takes years and even decades to develop. Up to 40% of post-menopausal women are affected who have a lifetime risk of fracture of ~40%. Men aged 60 have a 25% lifetime risk of an osteoporotic fracture. Evidence also shows that patients health significantly deteriorates following a significant fracture.

The best treatment for osteoporosis is prevention. We discuss this disease, lifestyle, diagnosis, and...

Recent genetics studies have shown that ancient Humans and Neanderthals coexisted around 50,000 years ago for approximately 7,000 years. There is evidence of these different human species mixing and having offspring. Around 2-4% of modern humans can be traced back to Neanderthals.

This is the story of Humans and Neanderthals.

Our special guests:

Our special guest is Associate Professor Bastien Llamas who is affiliated with the...

And we’re back for 2025. We thought we’d ease into this season with some medical stories. From the Manhattan project and the demon core to the inspirational stories of Dr Elizabeth Blackwell, Dr Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, and Dr Emma Constance Stone. We are reaching back into the medical archives.

Our special guests:

Dr Travis Brown, himself!

This Medical Life podcast is available on all podcasting services and Spotify...

Patients with colorectal cancer often have their diagnosis, treatment, and care discussed at a regular multidisciplinary team meeting. This includes: gastroenterologists, surgeons, oncology, radiation oncology, pathologists, home care nurses, oncology nurses, genetic councillors, care coordinators plus others.

This is the third episode of a three part series on colorectal cancer.

This episode focuses on management.

Many thanks to D...

The lifetime risk for colorectal cancer is 1 in 23 men and 1 in 25 women. Detecting and diagnosing cancer is a critical step in managing a patient’s health as well as the multidisciplinary team where their care is discussed.

This is the second episode of a three part series on colorectal cancer.

This episode focuses on diagnosis.

Many thanks to Dr Tristan Rutland who helped organise this series.

This is the story of colorectal canc...

Colorectal cancer accounts for ~10% of all new cancer diagnoses. Fortunately, over the last three decades, the 5 year patient survival has increased from 56% to 71%. As with most cancers, the key to good outcomes is early detection. This is the first episode of a three part series on colorectal cancer. This episode focuses on screening.

Many thanks to Dr Tristan Rutland who helped organise this series.

This is the story of colorect...

Troponin is a protein found in heart muscle that was a game changer when it came to diagnosing heart attacks and myocardial injury in the late 1990s. Three decades later, it is an invaluable test with widespread use throughout medicine.

Troponin assays are venturing into their 5th generation with high-sensitivity and Point-Of-Care (POC) devices. However, there are important exceptions, caveats and pitfalls for doctors to know.

This...

Our eagle-eyed This Medical Life podcast listeners will wonder why we have called this episode 100 … is that right?

Well, it kinda is.

If you add up both This Pathological Life and This Medical Life podcasts episodes, it’s well over 100 episodes.

This is a small milestone for this ‘Trav and Steve’ dynamic duo who have never resolved the question: which one is Robin?

In honour of this achievement, we reflect upon the life a...

Throughout history, humanity has been captivated by heroes overcoming immense challenges—from ancient legends to modern Marvel icons.

In this episode, Dr Travis Brown and Steve Davis are honoured to have Janine Watson, a Paralympian athlete who reached out to us after our episodes on Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) (Episode 53 and Episode 54) opened her eyes to the unrecognised trauma her brain and body have endured.

Th...

In this episode, Steve Davis and Dr. Travis Brown reflect on the journey through Series 5 of This Medical Life.

From discussing the impact of episodes on medical professionals to revisiting significant stories and breakthroughs, this episode provides a retrospective on the memorable moments and invaluable lessons learned.

Whether it's the exploration of vitamin B6's role in patient care or the unexpected feedback from a Paraly...

Thyroid lumps have always been with us. Often referred to as goitres (interpreted from Latin to mean neck swelling), numerous ancient medical sources mention these and how to manage them.

However, it has only been with modern medicine and investigations that we can distinguish between benign and malignant lesions. In this episode, we examine the investigations, diagnosis, management and prognosis of thyroid lumps.

This is the story...

Thyroid lumps have always been with us. Often referred to as goitres (interpreted from Latin to mean neck swelling), numerous ancient medical sources mention these and how to manage them.

However, it has only been with modern medicine and investigations that we can distinguish between benign and malignant lesions. In this episode, we examine the investigations, diagnosis, management and prognosis of thyroid lumps.

This is part one ...