• PAP tests: What age benefits most?

    Original broadcast date: September 27, 2009 The advent of the PAP test in the 1960’s, a screening test to detect abnormal cells of the cervix that might lead to cancerous change, has had a tremendous positive impact on women’s health. There are various recommendations on when to start screening, how often to screen and what…

  • GI Joe: An interview with a 100 year-old dynamo

    Original broadcast date: September 20, 2009 Our breadth of understanding of the reams of medical information reported in the media is dependent in part on our understanding of the history of medicine. This history includes our human response to change and our willingness to accept new ideas and engage in healthy debate when conflicts arise.…

  • Arthritis Awareness: Arthritis Facts

    Original broadcast date: September 13, 2009 A recent poll commissioned by The Arthritis Society reveals that almost two out of three Canadians struggling with arthritis believe that physical activity poses the risk of aggravating their symptoms. This percentage was considerably higher than the general population who responded at just under 1 in 2, as indicated…

  • Gene therapy restores partial eyesight

    Original broadcast date: September 13, 2009 There are instances in clinical research when the clinical outcome goals of the study are superseded by an unexpected discovery. Researchers from the University of Florida reported in the August 13, 2009 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine that the retinas of adults treated with a gene…

  • Benefits of repairing ACL tears in children

    Original broadcast date: September 6, 2009 Injuries are unfortunately part of the risk of participating in sporting activities. For adults, there seems to be a specific treatment pathway for various types of injuries but for children, questions remain about its management. One such injury is an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. A study presented at…

  • New MRI technique to detect acute brain injuries

    Original broadcast date: September 6, 2009 Acute brain injuries from concussive forces have the potential to cause significant long-term cognitive damage if not recognized and diagnosed early. To date, imaging technology such as CT and MRI has limitations regarding the detection of specific types of brain damage. New findings, reported by researchers at the Albert…

  • Building a better ligament

    Original broadcast date: August 30, 2009 “There has to be a better way,” says orthopedic surgeon Dr Cyril Frank. What Dr. Frank refers to is the present approach used to repair damaged ligaments in joints such as the knee with methods that are still “fairly barbaric”. In that vein, the University of Calgary is expanding…

  • CIHI Ontario report on prinicple causes of traumatic injury

    Original broadcast date: August 30, 2009 Major trauma from severe injuries can have a devastating impact on the lives of the individual, their friends and family. A report by released July 30, 2009 by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), reviewed the principle causes of these injuries in Ontario. Alcohol was involved in at…

  • The Counterfeit Drug Trade

    Original broadcast date: August 9, 2009 The statistics are compelling and disturbing. An article written by Val Jones on the website Science Based Medicine notes the following: –    Pfizer Global Security raids resulted in seizure of 11.1 million counterfeit tablets, capsules and vials in 42 countries in 2008. Pfizer seizure of counterfeit drugs in 2008…