The DocTalks Podcast

The choice of breast reconstruction after a mastectomy is extremely personal. In this episode of PatientTalks, a spinoff of the DocTalks podcast, we're joined by Gen Kroeker to talk about her journey with breast cancer and what led her to decide to have breast reconstructive surgery after her mastectomy. Gen speaks to the impact of that choice, vulnerable conversations with her care team, and reflects on the decision years later. &...

It's almost impossible these days to watch TV, scroll on social media or take transit without seeing ads for GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy. These medications have taken the world by storm for treatment of Type-2 diabetes and obesity. Dr. Tamara Spaic joins the DocTalks Podcast this episode to talk about the life-changing benefits of GLP-1 medications, side effects and the risk of prescribing them for cosmetic weight los...

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 Canadian Consortium on...

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, the risk factors of heart d...

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. Joseph’s Health Care Lo...

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.   

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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 PatientTalks, a spinoff of the Doc...

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 hair loss, intimacy and th...

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 of, their own journey. &...

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 Care London, joined ...

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. Joseph’s Health...

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 available to help people get back to ...

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 assessment, intervention, treatment and rese...

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, screening and treatment opti...

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 Gastroenterology Program at St. J...

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 with St. Joseph's Dr. Manuel Montero...

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 Mackenzie, a respirologist in the Asthm...

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 Ian Gillespie chats with Dr. Krist...

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 diagnosis, treatments and latest r...