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February 6, 2012 10:14  by Dr. Lorne Brandes
Forgive me for paraphrasing the title of Christopher Hitchens' controversial book about religion, but the aborted (pun intended) attempt of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation to cut off funding for breast screening by Planned Parenthood is the latest and, perhaps, most shocking example of the ruinous effect bad politics can have on our society. [More]
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]
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]
December 18, 2011 18:52  by Dr. Lorne Brandes
The death, from esophageal cancer, of Christopher Hitchens, the brilliant and often controversial writer and journalist, has prompted me to write this blog. In addition to his avowed atheism (described in his best-selling book, God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything), perhaps the most talked-about aspect of his life was his unabated consumption of cancer-causing tobacco and alcohol throughout the course and treatment of his illness, right up to the last day of his life. [More]
November 30, 2011 09:47  by Dr. Lorne Brandes

Predictably, last week’s release of new breast cancer screening guidelines by the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (CTFPHC), like those issued by a similar U.S. task force in 2009, provoked a fierce public debate among advocates and opponents of mammography.

My major criticism of the report stemmed from the fact that all of its recommendations, from who should get screening mammograms (and at what interval), to women and doctors not performing routine breast examinations, were categorized by the CTFPHC panel as “weak”, meaning that, for each, “appreciable uncertainty” exists and that the level of evidence is not high. “Then why make them?” I asked. [More]
November 21, 2011 12:11  by Dr. Lorne Brandes
Why does today’s release of updated breast screening guidelines by the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (CTFPHC) bring to mind Yogi Berra’s famous quip , “It’s déjà vu all over again”? Because the new recommendations remind me of similar guidelines, put forward in 2009 by the United States Preventive Service Task Force (USPSTF), that laid a giant egg. [More]
November 9, 2011 07:06  by Dr. Lorne Brandes
I have some very good news to report: we are in the midst of a virtual explosion of new, approved, oncology drugs and vaccines that can prolong the lives of patients with many types of advanced (metastasized) cancer. That said, I must now report the bad news: without exception, drug companies are setting an extremely high cost for an “average course” of these new treatments. [More]
October 19, 2011 09:51  by Dr. Lorne Brandes
The sudden death last week of oncologist and all around media personality, Dr. Robert Buckman, during a flight from the U.K. to Toronto, left a large hole in the hearts of countless people on both sides of the Atlantic. [More]
October 12, 2011 07:32  by Dr. Lorne Brandes
“The medical community must confront reality and stop the inappropriate use of PSA screening. Doing so would save billions of dollars and rescue millions of men from unnecessary, debilitating treatments,” Richard J. Ablin wrote last year in The New York Times. The University of Arizona College of Medicine professor went on to label PSA testing as “a profit-driven public health disaster.” [More]
September 12, 2011 09:39  by Dr. Lorne Brandes
Few can forget their shock over Jack Layton’s gaunt appearance and raspy voice at the July 25th news conference where he stunned the country by announcing that, less than three months into the job, he was stepping down as Opposition leader “to fight a second type of cancer.” But, as an oncologist who treats prostate cancer, I was not surprised by this unhappy turn of events. [More]
August 14, 2011 10:14  by Dr. Lorne Brandes
Last week saw the publication of two news-grabbing immunological studies. Both had an important story to tell. Both involved politics as well as science. Both require comment. The first study involved an exciting new approach to the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). [More]
July 22, 2011 09:31  by Dr. Lorne Brandes
At first glance, you might think it odd to see a story about the visionary media guru, Marshall McLuhan, in a space I normally devote to writing about science and medicine (its title was suggested by my witty wife, Jill, an accomplished writer). However, as I will explain, paying tribute to him in an online medical blog on the 100th anniversary of his birth is entirely appropriate. [More]
July 8, 2011 11:04  by Dr. Lorne Brandes
Does the expiration date on a bottle of a medication mean anything? If it's expired, should you discard it? Can you get hurt if you take it? Will it simply lose its potency? I paused to reflect on those important questions. [More]
July 4, 2011 09:14  by Dr. Lorne Brandes
Coming only seven months after an expert panel, chaired by Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) president, Dr. Alain Beaudet, recommended against a federally-funded CCSVI trial, last week’s sudden reversal of that decision, announced by Canada’s health minister, Leona Aglukkaq, caught the public (including yours truly) by surprise. [More]
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.