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January 27, 2012 08:27  by Dr. Grant Lum
So you’ve booked your vacation down south for Reading Week, or March Break, and you can’t wait to go running on the beach, or windsurfing, or just playing with the kids in the pool. But are you really ready? [More]
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January 25, 2012 10:27  by Angela Mulholland
We’re knee-deep into cold and flu season now, busting out the tissues and the pills to stop the shivers, sniffles and sneezes in droves. Great news if you run a cold and flu medication business, but not so great if you’re a dog or cat and you’ve just gobbled up a cold pill that your owner dropped on the floor. [More]
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January 24, 2012 09:25  by Dr. Yoni Freedhoff
Oy vey. Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, and his City Councillor brother Doug, have gone on a very public diet. They've challenged other politicians and the general public to "Cut the Waist", and they've received a tremendous amount of media attention. Yesterday was their first weigh-in. [More]
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January 24, 2012 09:00  by Dr. Marla Shapiro
For men with low-grade prostate cancer, rather than being offered aggressive local therapy, active surveillance may be a viable alternative. The REDEEM Study tested whether the use of dutasteride might decrease progression of existing low risk, localized prostate cancer. [More]
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January 19, 2012 14:18  by Angela Mulholland
It's hard to think about sunbathing in the middle of January, but if you're planning a trip the tropics this winter, you'll be using sunscreen to protect your Canadian skin. And chances are good you won’t put on nearly enough. A new study in the Archives of Dermatology has found, yet again, that people do not use nearly enough when going out in the sun. [More]
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January 18, 2012 09:52  by Dr. Katy Kamkar
The annual health care cost of mental disorders in Canada is an estimated $51 billion, with one third of the cost due to productivity losses. A recent study from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) investigated the relationship between treatment of depression and work productivity. [More]
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January 18, 2012 08:52  by Avis Favaro
The report by the Canadian Institute of Health information this week on winter sports-related injurieswas meant to inform – prevention via education. The goal was NOT to discourage people from getting out in the winter and enjoying the activities that come with the ice and snow. [More]
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January 17, 2012 07:44  by Dr. Marla Shapiro
As a physician, one of the concerns I have is the whole concept of so-called patient compliance with medication. We have learned that patient compliance is about initiation and then adherence and persistence to prescribed medication. If medications are not taken properly, they don't work. [More]
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January 11, 2012 07:17  by Dr. Marla Shapiro
In this week's Canadian Medical Association Journal are two studies on migraine management. Migraine is quite common with some 8% of men and 18% of women experiencing migraines. Headaches are typically primary headaches meaning there is no underlying cause such as tumour, injury or an aneurysm. Of the common primary headaches, they can be tension headaches, cluster headaches and migraines. [More]
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January 5, 2012 11:01  by Dr. Yoni Freedhoff
The ads cut straight to the point - childhood obesity is real and we can't continue to turn a blind eye towards it. The ads have also been rather soundly criticized by experts who worry about their impact on the already rampant biases that are endured by children with obesity. But the ads may well be necessary. [More]
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January 4, 2012 09:35  by Dr. Lorne Brandes
For years, oncologists have heard complaints from patients undergoing chemotherapy about difficulty in concentrating and lapses in memory and wondered: can chemotherapy significantly affect brain function? Now, a new study published goes a long way in verifying that patient's concerns truly have a basis in fact: chemotherapy may not only affect brain function, but its structure as well. [More]
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January 3, 2012 12:44  by Angela Mulholland
Some teen girls who have gotten the HPV vaccine wrongly assume that it protects them from other sexually transmitted infections, a troubling new survey finds. Not a good finding, given that such misperceptions could put the girls at a higher risk of contracting STDs. [More]
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January 3, 2012 07:19  by Dr. Marla Shapiro
I was sent a book recently called "The Top Five Regrets of the Dying," by Bronnie Ware. She worked in a palliative care setting and as such was surrounded by people who often spoke about their most common regrets. Having had my own diagnosis of cancer, I am all too aware of how when you feel as if you are fighting for your life, you can have a revised life view. [More]
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December 27, 2011 11:27  by Dr. Lorne Brandes
Once again, the festive season is upon us, and with it comes my annual suggestions for books on science and medicine. Although recent statistics suggest that book readers are becoming an endangered species, I am heartened by the number of emails telling me how much you have enjoyed a certain pick, or giving me your own particular insight into a book I have discussed. [More]
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Dr. Marla Shapiroclose [x]

Dr. Marla Shapiro, MDCM CCFP MHSc FRCP(C) FCFP, is a family physician and the Health and Medical Contributor for CTV's Canada AM as well as the editor of Parents Canada magazine, launched in March 2007.

She completed medical school at McGill University and trained at the University of Toronto for her Masters of Health Science in Community Health and Epidemiology. She holds a Fellowship in Family Medicine and is a NAMS credentialed menopause specialist. She is an associate professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto, where she recently won an award for Creative Professional Activity.

Dr. Shapiro won the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada/Canadian Foundation for Women's Health Award for Excellence in Women's Health Journalism in 2006 for her documentary "Run Your Own Race." Her book, "Life in the Balance: My Journey with Breast Cancer" was released in the fall of 2006 and is a national bestseller.

For her lifelong commitment to family medicine, Shapiro was awarded the College of Family Physicians of Canada's Award of Excellence for 2008.

Angela Mulhollandclose [x]

Angela Mulholland is the editor of CTV News' semi-weekly health newsletter MedNews Express as well as the MedNews Express Blog.

She has been a journalist for CTV News since 2000, covering current affairs, health and entertainment for CTV.ca. Before CTV, she worked for CBC.ca for two years.

She has a degree from St. Jerome's University in Waterloo, ON, and studied journalism at Sheridan College in Oakville. She lives in Toronto with her husband and two children.

Monica Matysclose [x]

Monica Matys has been the health and wellness reporter for CTV News Toronto since 2001. Her feature health report, Lifetime, can be seen on CTV Toronto's News at Noon and at 6 p.m.

Her interest in the medical field began while working for a medical publishing company as the editor of a monthly magazine. One of Monica's favourite days on the job was the time she got to spend a day in Credit Valley Hospital's Emergency unit. "It really opened my eyes to the strains on our system," Monica explains.

Matys grew up in Scarborough, and has an honours degree in Journalism from Carleton University in Ottawa. She lives in Toronto with her husband and two children.

Avis Favaroclose [x]

Avis Favaro has been with CTV News since 1992, producing stories for CTV National and CTV News Channel - Newsnet- as well as for CTV affiliate stations across the country.

Avis and producer Elizabeth St. Philip won the 2008 Media Awards for Excellence in Health Reporting handed out by the Canadian Nurses Association and the Canadian Medical association for a story on BPA found in food cans.

She has been nominated for an impressive 12 Geminis, winning once for a unique story on an experimental cancer treatment developed in Winnipeg in the 1940's.

Avis has a masters in journalism from UWO and a Bachelor's degree in History, and launched her journalism career as a writer/reporter at Global in 1982.

Dr. Yoni Freedhoffclose [x]

Dr. Yoni Freedhoff, MD CCFP Dip ABBM, is the founder and Medical Director of the Bariatric Medical Institute in Ottawa, a multi-disciplinary behavioural weight management program. Formally trained in family medicine, since 2004 his practice has been exclusively dedicated to the treatment of overweight and obesity.

Dr. Freedhoff has been referred to as a "nutritional watchdog" by the Canadian Medical Association Journal and a national "obesity expert" by the Canadian Obesity Network. His advocacy efforts for improved public policies regarding nutrition and obesity have found him testifying in front of the Canadian House of Commons, giving press conferences with the Ontario Medical Association, commenting regularly in the national media, and as a sought after lecturer.

Dr. Freedhoff explores issues pertinent to nutrition, obesity, public policy and advocacy in his daily blog Weighty Matters which is ranked among the world's top health blogs and was voted the top Canadian health blog of 2008 by the Canadian Blog Awards.

Dr. Grant Lumclose [x]

Dr. Lum is a sports medicine physician. He is the medical director and founder of Athletic Edge Sports Medicine, a multidisciplinary sports medicine organization offering services to the athletic and active public.

He is involved in the care of recreational, elite amateur and professional athletes, including players in the NHL, NFL and NBA. He is also involved in the performing arts medical community, taking care of musicians, vocalists, dancers and other performing artists.

Dr. Lum studied medicine at the University of Toronto, where he graduated in 1992. He completed a two-year residency in Family Medicine, and then specialty training in Sports Medicine.

He is a lecturer at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Medicine, an adjunct professor at York University's Faculty of Fine Arts, and medical director of George Brown College's Fitness and Lifestyle Management Program.

Dr. Lorne Brandesclose [x]

A senior oncologist at CancerCare Manitoba, Dr. Brandes received his MD from the University of Western Ontario in 1968.

Following post-graduate training at the Royal Marsden Hospital (London) and the University of Manitoba, he joined the faculty at U. Of M. in 1975, where he is a professor in the Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology.

He is also affiliated with the Manitoba Institute of Cell Biology.

Dr. Katy Kamkar, Ph.D., C. Psych.close [x]

Dr. Katy Kamkar, Ph.D., C. Psych., is a Clinical Psychologist at the Work, Stress and Health Program/Psychological Trauma Program, at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). She also provides private practice at the CBT Associates of Toronto and is a lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto.

She completed her Honours Degree in Psychology and Mathematics at York University and her Masters and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Concordia University. She also completed a Clinical/Research Postdoctoral Fellowship at CAMH. She has received numerous academic awards and distinctions.

Kamkar provides consultation, comprehensive assessments, and evidence-based Cognitive-Behavioural treatment for Mood and Anxiety Disorders, including psychological distress related to stress and anxiety in the workplace. She also provides training, education, and supervision as well as various educational seminars and workshops. She adheres to a scientist-practitioner model of practice and integrates research and science with practice.

One of Dr. Kamkar's greatest interests has been to provide education to enhance public awareness of mental health/illness in general and of psychological distress in the workplace. She has written articles for comprehensive public resources and provided numerous public relations - media work.

Dr. Neil Rauclose [x]

Dr. Neil Rau grew up in Ottawa. He initially studied mathematics at the University of Waterloo before completing his MD at the University of Toronto in 1991. He completed training in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases at McGill University in 1996, before establishing a busy private practice in Oakville. He is currently the medical director of Infection Prevention and Control at Halton Healthcare Services.

In 2008, he completed his training in medical microbiology at the University of Toronto and he now serves as the medical microbiologist and chair of the patient safety steering committee at his hospital.

He is a lecturer at the University of Toronto. Since 2008, he has also been Infectious Diseases section head at the Association for Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Canada. He is also a frequent contributor to CTV News.

He lives in Toronto with his wife and two children, and is an avid amateur concert pianist.

Cara Rosenbloom, RD close [x]

Registered dietitian Cara Rosenbloom believes that nutrition can make a difference in overall health and wellness and enjoys translating complex nutrition information into usable and helpful advice.

Rosenbloom holds a literature degree from the University of Western Ontario and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Food & Nutrition from Ryerson University. She completed a dietetic internship at North York General Hospital to become a registered dietitian.

Prior to becoming a nutrition columnist, Rosenbloom worked as a dietitian at The Hospital for Sick Children for three years. She is a member of Dietitians of Canada and the College of Dietitians of Ontario and the president of Words to Eat By, a nutrition communications company.