Dr Cory Couillard

The World No Tobacco Day is upon us! On Thursday, 31 May 2012 the World Health Organisation’s campaign is designed to help educate policy-makers and the general public about the tobacco industry's perverse and harmful tactics to devastate the public’s health. According to the World Health Organisation, “Tobacco use is one of the leading preventable causes of death. The global tobacco epidemic kills nearly 6 million people each year, of which more than 600,000 are people exposed to second-hand smoke. Unless we act, it will kill up to 8 million people by 2030, of which more than 80% will live in low- and middle-income countries.” Cigarette smoking is still very common despite the known hazards to one’s health. One of the primary objectives of this column is to reduce the occurrence of the devastating health conditions and reduce healthcare costs associated with the diseases caused by smoking. If your health is not enough to encourage you to quit, perhaps the health of your famil

New recommendations are now emerging from two huge studies in the United States and Europe on the necessity of a non-specific prostate cancer screening technique.   The PSA blood test that is routinely done on males over the age of 50 has been found to do more harm than good. Despite strong protests from urologist, the final guideline published last Monday say’s there’s zero evidence that PSA testing saves or extends lives and was found to increase healthcare costs.   PSA testing and false positive tests result in impotence, incontinence, heart attacks, strokes and even premature death from further unneeded cancer treatments. The recommendations are not mandates for healthcare professionals to follow yielding potential harm to you and your family.   PSA testing hasn’t been studied extensively in black men and those with prostate cancer in the family.   Communicate with your healthcare professional about the serious risks of prostate cancer screening.   PSA Testing Causes

Data emerging from the Lancet Infectious Disease reveal that infections account for one in six cancers worldwide. The incidence for 27 different cancers in 184 countries was found to be caused by four main types of infections. It is now estimated that 1.9 million cases of cancer per year can be effectively treated but most importantly prevented through lifestyle modification. The economic burden of cancer is now a billion dollar industry with expensive cancer preventive services coupled with risky and experimental screening and treatment techniques. The economic cost goes far beyond money out of pocket – consider the cost of time, effort by patients and their families that are undergoing cancer treatment. Also consider the loss of productivity personally and professionally due to cancer-related disability and premature death. Cancer Causing Infections  The four types of infections found to produce the highest incidence of preventable cancer include human papillomavirus (HPV), hel

A new study finds that as men age they are likely to experience hormone related conditions similar to females going through menopause.   The hormone imbalance is linked to unwanted weight gain, diabetes, heart disease and other chronic diseases.   In the study, hormone-deficient men that were given testosterone experienced long-term sustainable weight loss. Testosterone is a hormone that is found in the body that primarily differentiates male physical characteristics compared to females.   This naturally occurring hormone is used in the production and growth of lean muscle and is utilized in the burning of fat. The study that was announced at the European Congress on Obesity demonstrated that taking testosterone supplements caused significant weight loss.   Men lost an average of 16 kg over five years with the balancing of testosterone levels. These findings are not intended to be a quick fix according to health professionals.   Professor Richard Sharpe from the University of Ed