Canadian Online Health Information: June 2011

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Feds approve controversial MS therapy trials in spite of latest studies

OTTAWA - The federal government will fund a clinical trial of a controversial treatment for multiple sclerosis patients but it could be years before so-called liberation therapy is widely available in Canada....More

Consent board approval needed if doctors want to end Toronto man's life support

TORONTO - Doctors must get approval from a provincial medical board to end a Toronto man's life support, Ontario's top court has ruled....More

Clinical trials for controversial MS treatment face setback in Saskatchewan

REGINA - The first province to pledge clinical trials of a controversial treatment for multiple sclerosis says there's been "a setback....More

Boil water advisory issued for village of Warner in southwestern Alberta

WARNER, Alta. - Alberta Health Services has issued a boil water order for a village southeast of Lethbridge....More

Alberta researchers net major grant for pancreatic cancer research

EDMONTON â€" Alberta researchers are getting a financial boost to look into personalizing care for one of the deadliest forms of cancer â€" pancreatic cancer....More

$15.8-million cancer treatment centre unveiled

OTTAWA -- A groundbreaking new cancer lab could drastically speed up the development and testing of new cancer therapies, which generally take 10-plus years to get to patients....More

Feds approve controversial MS therapy trials in spite of latest studies

CFIA recalls sandwich products in Atlantic Canada over Listeria fears

OTTAWA - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and King’s Processing Ltd. of Alberton, PEI, are warning the public not to consume certain sandwich products because they may be contaminated with Listeria....More

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Sweden reports first case of dangerous E.coli in patient not infected in Germany

STOCKHOLM - Swedish health authorities say they have identified the first domestic case of infection in the E. coli outbreak that has killed 48 people in Europe....More

STARS inks permanent deal with Manitoba; helipad to be built on Winnipeg hospital

WINNIPEG - Manitoba has signed a deal to make the STARS air ambulance a permanent fixture in the province....More

Some benefits to incidental physical activity, such as taking stairs: study

TORONTO - People who have large waistlines and don't work out can still improve their level of cardiorespiratory fitness by moving around more, suggests the co-author of a kinesiology study conducted in Kingston, Ont....More

Newfoundland study looks at lead levels in children

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - A study that tested lead levels in the blood of 257 children in Newfoundland has found none of them had amounts above the Canadian reference level. The results of the study were released Tuesday at Memorial University in St. John's....More

More teenaged girls hurt as overall injury rate on the rise: StatsCan

OTTAWA - A new study says about 4.27 million Canadians aged 12 or older suffered an injury severe enough to limit their usual activities in 2009-10....More

Mammography study: Screening associated with lower breast cancer death risk

TORONTO - Breast cancer screening with mammography leads to a significant reduction in risk for breast cancer deaths, the long-term followup to a large study in Sweden indicates....More

HIV killer has high libido and could reoffend if freed, Crown says

HAMILTON - A man believed to be the first in Canada convicted of murder through HIV transmission has an abnormally high libido that could lead him to reoffend if he's eventually freed, court heard Monday....More

Auditor cast doubts on Liberal government's plan to slash spending

TORONTO - A plan by Ontario's Liberal government to slash the increase in annual spending by almost 400 per cent is too optimistic and could lead to service cuts, Auditor General Jim McCarter warned Tuesday. The Liberals increased spending by 7....More

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Edmonton man sentenced to 6.5 years in jail for choking infant daughter

EDMONTON - An Edmonton man who choked his 10-week-old daughter, leaving her severely brain damaged, has been sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison. James Vanderham, 23, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault as a result of the May 2008 incident....More

Dialysis patients receive blood vessels grown from donated skin cells in lab

Three dialysis patients have received the world's first blood vessels grown in a lab from donated skin cells....More

Diabetic patients receive blood vessels grown in lab from donated skin cells

For the first time, scientists have given several diabetic patients blood vessels grown in a lab from donated skin cells....More

Citing cancer risks, U.S. lawmakers consider restricting teens' tanning bed use

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - If a proposed law passes, California teens under 18 will need a fake ID to "fake and bake" themselves to a golden brown....More

Chemical produced in pancreas prevents, reverses Type 1 diabetes in mice: study

TORONTO - A natural chemical generated by the same cells that produce insulin in the pancreas has been found to not only prevent Type 1 diabetes in mice but reverse the condition, according to a new study. Dr. Qinghua Wang and Dr. Gerald Prud'homme of St....More

Chances of transfusion vary widely, U.S. blood standards urged to avoid waste

WASHINGTON - Check into a hospital in the United States and you may get a blood transfusion you didn't really need....More

Aging baby boomers eating up physician resources with chronic illnesses: survey

OTTAWA - A survey of 12,000 doctors shows they are having a hard time dealing with aging baby boomers and their increasing caseload of chronic illness....More

Three decades since Terry Fox's death, his legacy remains larger than life

VANCOUVER - In this world of multimillion-dollar athletes and badly behaved celebrities, it comes as no surprise to Lorne Davies that three decades after his death, Terry Fox remains one of the country's most recognizable heroes....More

Monday, June 27, 2011

Massive flood expected to take toll on Lake Winnipeg, feed algae blooms

WINNIPEG - A massive flood that has turned fertile Manitoba pastures into lakes and driven people from their homes for weeks on end will probably deal another blow to the ailing prairie ocean known as Lake Winnipeg....More

Harper parties in asbestos central as Canada blocks dangerous-goods listing

OTTAWA - The prime minister celebrated St-Jean-Baptiste in the heart of the asbestos industry as Canada's delegation to an international summit drew ire by keeping the carcinogen off a hazardous-chemicals list....More

NDP hopes 'practical' platform will reach broader audience this election

TORONTO - Ontario's New Democrats seem hopeful they're finally on the brink of emerging from the political wilderness that they were consigned to after the unpopular government of Bob Rae was toppled in 1995....More

Doctor could have licence revoked for second round of alleged sex assaults

TORONTO - An Ontario doctor could have his licence revoked for a second time for allegedly sexually abusing a patient four months after his licence was reinstated following other sexual allegations. Monday will mark the third time Dr....More

Dangerous and careless driving behind thousands of hazardous cargo crashes: data

OTTAWA - Truckers hauling explosive or flammable loads have killed and badly injured people after getting drunk or stoned behind the wheel, an analysis by The Canadian Press has found....More

Alberta's new chief coroner Anny Sauvageau sheds light on hanging deaths

EDMONTON - Anny Sauvageau has become one of Canada's foremost authorities on hangings and death by asphyxiation — a clinical pursuit born of personal reasons....More

Preschoolers' sleep problems linked with watching TV with violence or at night in new research

CHICAGO - If your preschooler can't sleep — turn off the violence and nighttime TV. That's the message in a new study that found sleep problems are more common in 3- to 5-year-olds who watch television after 7 p.m....More

MS moms have pregnancy outcomes similar to other women, B.C. study finds

Pregnancy is often a time of bliss, coloured by a touch of paranoia and worry about how everything will turn out, for a woman who's expecting — but add a previous diagnosis of multiple sclerosis to the equation and it might easily compound the concern....More

Friday, June 24, 2011

Ontario's wage freeze creating money shortage for long-term care facilities

TORONTO - A government-mandated wage freeze for public sector employees is forcing long-term care facilities in Ontario to lay off staff to cover pay increases awarded by arbitrators to unionized employees....More

Getting a flu shot while pregnant protects the baby: Study

Newborns whose mothers get the flu shot during their pregnancies are almost 50% less likely to be hospitalized with the flu than babies whose mothers didn't get the shot, a new study shows....More

Chiropractor charged with sexual assault in Medicine Hat, Alberta

MEDICINE HAT, Alta. - A chiropractor in southeastern Alberta has been charged with sexual assault of a woman. City police say a 28-year-old woman filed a complaint against a man this week....More

Canada keeps blocking hazardous-chemical listing for asbestos at summit

OTTAWA - As talks at a Swiss summit dragged late into Thursday night, Canada dug in its heels to block the listing of chrysotile asbestos as a hazardous chemical....More

Calgary judge denies bail to man accused of assaulting six-week-old baby

CALGARY - A Calgary judge has denied bail to a man charged with assaulting a six-week-old baby boy....More

Brand name and generic drug companies disagree on research spending

TORONTO - Organizations representing generic and brand-name drug companies are taking jabs at each other following last week's release of the annual report of the Patented Medicine Price Review Board....More

Arizona death is investigated for link to European E. coli outbreak

ATLANTA - The death of an Arizona man who recently visited Germany may be linked to the food-poisoning outbreak in Europe, health officials said Thursday. The man, who died in mid-June, developed a serious E. coli complication that can lead to kidney failure....More

3 Saskatchewan companies plead guilty to workplace health and safety violations

SASKATOON - Three Saskatchewan companies have pleaded guilty to not providing workers with protection against falls. Unger Roofing Ltd. and AI-Ro Acrylic Ltd. pleaded guilty and was fined $840 in a Saskatoon court....More

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Health agency says E. coli outbreak apparently linked to walnuts appears ended

OTTAWA - The Public Health Agency of Canada says an E. coli outbreak that caused 14 people to become sick appears to be over....More

FDA says silicone breast implants are relatively safe despite frequent complications

WASHINGTON - Health officials in the United States say the latest data on silicone breast implants show they are relatively safe, despite frequent complications that lead about one in five women to have the implants removed within 10 years. A U.S....More

Doctors say new method can speed up orthopedic surgery by more than 50 per cent

VANCOUVER - A group of anesthesiologists at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver have issued a report on a new surgical method that they say can speed up orthopedic operations by more than 50 per cent....More

Canada blocks asbestos from hazardous chemicals list at UN summit

OTTAWA - Canada has opposed listing chrysotile asbestos as a hazardous chemical, the United Nations confirmed Wednesday, even as the Conservative government maintained its silence back home....More

Canada alone blocks asbestos from hazardous chemicals list at UN summit

OTTAWA - Canada has single-handedly blocked listing chrysotile asbestos as a hazardous chemical, the United Nations confirmed Wednesday, even as the Conservative government maintained its silence back home....More

Canada alone blocks asbestos from hazardous chemicals list at UN summit

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Blood pressure, stress rates rising among greater number of Canadians: StatsCan

TORONTO - Six in 10 Canadians report they're in "very good" or "excellent" health, but high blood pressure and stress are concerns for an increasing number of people, a new snapshot of the nation's health indicates....More

Blood pressure, stress rates rising among greater number of Canadians: StatsCan

BC Centre for Disease Control warns of Metro Vancouver mumps outbreak

VANCOUVER - The BC Centre for Disease Control is urging people in Metro Vancouver to check their immunization records as an outbreak of mumps hits the region....More

6 in 10 Canadians report 'very good' or 'excellent' health: StatsCan

TORONTO - A new snapshot of the health of the nation finds that six in 10 Canadians age 12 and over say they're in very good or excellent health....More

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Nova Scotia ponders next step after it's told to pay for medical marijuana

HALIFAX - Nova Scotia's Community Services Department is considering its response to a decision that would require it to provide financial help to a woman who grows marijuana for her own medical purposes....More

Julyna organizers hope to boost awareness of cervical cancer

Ladies, start your trimmers. A new cancer awareness fundraiser called Julyna is encouraging women to cultivate their lady jungles for cervical cancer....More

Inducing labour doesn't increase rate of caesarean sections, study finds

A new study dispels the commonly held belief that inducing labour when a woman's pregnancy is at term increases the chance she'll need a caesarean section....More

Food allergies affect about 1 in 13 U.S. kids; almost 40 per cent have bad reactions

CHICAGO - Food allergies affect about one in 13 U.S. children, double the latest government estimate, a new study suggests....More

Child dies in portable pool every 5 days in warm-weather months, most under 5: study

COLUMBUS, Ohio - A child dies in a portable pool every five days during warm-weather months, according to the first U.S....More

Bodychecking at a younger age reduces risk of serious injury: Study

NOTES: sports interest. Guard against duplication A new study that suggests bodychecking in hockey at an earlier age can help in reducing serious injuries could re-open the debate once again about when kids should start hitting on the...More

10% of Canadian respondents report medical errors: Survey

Poorly co-ordinated medical care often results in patients being given the wrong kinds of drugs or treatment, an international study has found....More

Cancer Society wants restrictions on artificial tanning to protect Ontario youth

TORONTO - The Canadian Cancer Society wants all political parties in Ontario to commit to legislating restrictions on indoor tanning by those under 18....More

Monday, June 20, 2011

Don't allow children to operate lawn mower; pick up debris before cutting grass

TORONTO - Lots of rain in many parts of the country means that grass is growing like, well, a weed, and some Canadians may already be getting their fill of cutting it....More

Betty Fox, who helped nurture her son's legacy to an international effort, dies

VANCOUVER - Betty Fox, the mother of one of Canada's most beloved heroes, who nurtured Terry Fox's legacy into one of international action and inspiration in the fight against cancer, has died....More

Betty Fox, who helped nurture her son's legacy to an international effort, dies

Military, VAC study elevated suicide rate in women who served with forces

HALIFAX - The Canadian military and Veterans Affairs are trying to understand why female personnel in their early 40s, including former and current members, were more than twice as likely to die from suicide as their civilian counterparts....More

Military, VAC study elevated suicide rate in women who served with forces

HALIFAX - The Canadian military and Veterans Affairs are trying to understand why female personnel in their early 40s — both former and current— were more than twice as likely to die from suicide as their civilian counterparts....More

Military studies elevated rate of suicide in mid-age women in and out of forces

HALIFAX - The Canadian military is trying to understand why female personnel in their early 40s were more than twice as likely to die from suicide as their civilian counterparts....More

Portable pools as risky as in-ground pools; safety devices needed: study

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The first U.S. study on child drownings in portable pools finds that a child dies every five days in such a pool during warm-weather months, demonstrating a considerable risk and the need for consumer education and affordable protection devices, the study's...More

Food allergies affect about 1 in 13 U.S. kids; almost 40 per cent have bad reactions

CHICAGO - Food allergies affect about one in 13 U.S. children, double the latest government estimate, a new study suggests....More

Friday, June 17, 2011

Nova Scotia will launch another gambling study after rejecting previous report

HALIFAX - Nova Scotia's government will once again commission a study to examine the social harms caused by gambling, two years after shelving a previous draft report on the issue....More

New Brunswick launches fund for controversial multiple sclerosis treatment

FREDERICTON - Multiple sclerosis patients in New Brunswick can now access public funding to help cover the costs of medical services outside the province — including the so-called liberation therapy — in a move that flies in the face of research that questions the...More

Most people who have a stroke wait too long for treatment, study finds

OTTAWA - Stroke victims in Canada don't get to hospitals quickly enough — and even when they do they can still wait hours for treatment, says a major study released Thursday....More

More health workers hit the picket lines in different regions in Saskatchewan

SASKATOON - Striking health workers in Saskatchewan are escalating their job action....More

Internet more useful than parents in sex education, some teens report

TORONTO - Almost 40 per cent of teens who answered a questionnaire about their sexual knowledge said the Internet is more useful than parents in providing this kind of information....More

Air Canada can't totally avoid nut cross-contamination risk, says agency

OTTAWA - Air Canada passengers with severe nut allergies may want to bring their own food on board to avoid all risk of cross-contamination in food provided by the airline's suppliers, says the Canadian Transportation Agency....More

1 in 4 high school students have a soda every day, but more drink milk and water, CDC says

ATLANTA - A new study shows one in four high school studentsdrink soda every day —a sign fewer teens are downing the sugary drinks....More

Report: Least educated men die of cancer at 2 1/2 times the rate of college grads, widening gap

ATLANTA - The gap in cancer death rates between American college graduates and those who only went to high school is widening, the American Cancer Society reported Friday....More

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Experts suggest Weiner's sexting mimics behaviour of those hooked on gambling, alcohol, drugs

GARDEN CITY, N.Y. - So what's wrong with Anthony Weiner? The New York congressman says he is seeking professional treatment "to focus on becoming a better husband and healthier person" following a sexting scandal that threatens to drive him from office....More

Cancer of the psyche: Weighing news of risks from cellphones to coffee

You're sitting in a freshly drywalled house, drinking coffee from a plastic foam cup and talking on a cellphone. Which of these is most likely to be a cancer risk? It might be the sitting, especially if you do that a lot....More

Calphalon knife block set recalled over injury hazard, 300 sold in Canada

ATLANTA - A knife block set is being recalled because two of the knives can possibly poke through the bottom of the wooden block holder. The knife sets were made by Calphalon Corp. of Atlanta and sold across the U.S. from 2007 through May 2011....More

Antipsychotic drug labels updated; can affect newborns if taken during pregnancy

OTTAWA - Health Canada says it is updating the prescribing information for antipsychotic drugs to include new safety information for newborns whose mothers may have taken the drugs during pregnancy....More

Anti-wind farm lobby says environment officers can't measure noise from turbines

TORONTO - Anti-wind farm activists released leaked documents Wednesday that they say show the Ontario government cannot tell if the giant industrial turbines meet provincial noise regulations....More

Ambulance fees in Ontario add stress for people already in a crisis: NDP

TORONTO - An NDP government would scrap Ontario's fees for ambulance services so people won't have to choose between timely medical attention and their budgets, leader Andrea Horwath said Wednesday....More

Obama administration releases plan aiming to prevent disease with healthier lifestyles

WASHINGTON - Americans' life expectancy is 78 years, but a new government report says only 69 of those years tend to be healthy ones, and the problems can start long before people reach a doctor's office....More

New Brunswick launches fund for controversial multiple sclerosis treatment

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Mother pens cookbook to share family's tips on restricted diet eating

PETERBOROUGH, Ont. â€" A local mother has written a cookbook for those with food allergies and intolerances after her six-year-old son was diagnosed with Crohn's disease....More

More than 400 Saskatchewan health staffers to briefly return to work

SASKATOON - More than 400 health workers who have been on strike since last Friday will return to work Wednesday....More

Medical college revokes licence of doctor who admitted to patient sex assaults

TORONTO - A family doctor from Ontario who admitted sexually assaulting four patients was stripped of his medical licence today. Dr. Patrick Gallagher, who practised in Fenelon Falls, Ont....More

Kids overlooked in prescribing information from drug companies: CMAJ editorial

TORONTO - Children are too often neglected when pharmaceutical companies bring new drugs to market and apply for approval in Canada, says an editorial published Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal....More

Fuelling performance:

TORONTO - There's no universal menu for athletes, but proper nutrition can be pivotal in helping to fuel more effective training and performance — whether it's on the field, road, ice or slopes....More

Women's health needs should be addressed differently than men's: Ont. framework

TORONTO - Women and men have different health needs, and health data should be analyzed by sex so that both men and women will benefit, says a planning report released Wednesday....More

Just under 500 ml of milk a day optimal for preschoolers, study advises

TORONTO - Think about the optimal diet for children, and milk is sure to make it onto the list of foods and beverages....More

Calphalon knife block set recalled over injury hazard, 300 sold in Canada

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Weird fever, flares spur severe arthritis, show how disabling the disease can be

WASHINGTON - Dr. Sue Zieman can almost set her watch by her disease: Twice a day, she gets a fever and the already arthritic joints in her arms and hands, legs and feet abruptly, painfully swell even more....More

Too much sodium, not enough potassium in the Canadian diet: research

TORONTO - Most Canadians aren't getting enough potassium in their diets, according to research that looked not only at the element symbolized by the letter K, but reaffirmed that we're laying it on too thick with the sodium, or Na....More

Study: Tai chi counteracts age-related loss of muscle strength

MONTREAL - Doing tai chi helps women counter the age-related loss of muscle strength, a new study suggests. The study involved post-menopausal women who took a 12-week tai chi course, with sessions three times per week....More

Not enough evidence for routine screening for autism, Canadian researchers say

TORONTO - Not enough sound evidence exists for routine screening of all preschoolers to determine whether they have autism, researchers said Monday....More

Kids overlooked in prescribing information from drug companies: CMAJ editorial

Drinking, cannabis use and psychological distress on the rise in Ontario: survey

TORONTO - A daily beer or cocktail could be turning into a habit for more people in Ontario and marijuana use is also growing, according to a new survey....More

College to decide state of medical licence for doctor convicted of sex assaults

TORONTO - Allegations that an Ontario doctor sexually assaulted seven of his patients will be aired out Tuesday, as the province's medical college decides whether to revoke the physician's licence. Dr....More

Kids overlooked in prescribing information from drug companies: CMAJ editorial

Monday, June 13, 2011

Ensure measles shots up to date, health officials urge, as Quebec cases top 300

TORONTO - Almost a decade ago, measles was declared eradicated in the Americas, thanks to widespread vaccination efforts. But outbreaks in Quebec and several U.S....More

New earlier blood test for Down syndrome pregnancies may bring women comfort or conflict

NEW YORK, N.Y. - The results of the blood test revealed only a risk, but when she saw them, she still threw up. Now she had to find out for sure....More

Canadian military studies mental hardships of postings in High Arctic

OTTAWA - As Canada asserts its Arctic sovereignty, the military wants to know whether people working in dark, isolated outposts are prone to mental breakdown....More

Bill Gates in China to promote campaign raising awareness of dangers of secondhand smoke

BEIJING, China - Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates was in China on Saturday to raise awareness of the dangers of secondhand smoke in the country with the world's largest smoking population....More

Study: Weight-loss surgery fails to extend life in very obese older men during first 7 years

CHICAGO - Very obese older men hoping to live longer may be let down by a new long-term study that found weight-loss surgery didn't increase survival for people like them — at least during the first seven years....More

Scientists probe DNA of E. coli for clues on how the deadly outbreak started

LONDON - Scientists are quickly combing the DNA of the killer bacteria behind the world's worst E. coli outbreak to find clues about how to treat patients and prevent future epidemics....More

Hypnosis can help patients heal: Study

A combination of hypnosis and local anesthesia can help the healing process for patients who have undergone surgery, Belgium researchers say....More

Not enough evidence for routine screening for autism, Canadian researchers say

TORONTO - Not enough sound evidence exists for routine screening of all preschoolers to determine whether they have autism, researchers said Monday....More

Friday, June 10, 2011

Nova Scotia government faces calls to further study social impact of gambling

HALIFAX - A Nova Scotia woman whose husband had an addiction to video lottery terminals and later killed himself says a government-funded study on the impact of gambling — which included an estimate on suicide rates — shouldn't have been kept from the public for two...More

New flu virus emerges after child co-infected with H1N1, H3N2; vaccine protective

TORONTO - Canadian doctors are reporting what may be the first case of a new flu virus created after a child became co-infected with two influenza strains — pandemic H1N1 and seasonal H3N2....More

Murder-suicide raises mental health services questions in the North

IQALUIT, Nunavut - Sheila Levy was on her way to an Iqaluit school Thursday morning to counsel the classmates of a little girl who was one of four victims in an apparent murder-suicide the previous day....More

Lawyer for South Korean family looking to block their deportation

MONCTON, N.B. - A lawyer representing a South Korean family living in New Brunswick says a legal team will seek a court injunction to block the family's pending deportation....More

Consumer group pitches idea of irradiating more food to agriculture officials

TORONTO - The idea of irradiating more of Canada's food supply in light of the deadly E. coli crisis in Europe was raised with federal agriculture officials Thursday during a round-table discussion on food safety....More

Allergy-sniffing dogs help children with peanut allergies avoid exposures

NORTH HAVEN, Conn. - Boo and Riley are more than affectionate, protective family pets. To their owners, the specially trained dogs are a furry layer of security to sniff out peanut products and other life-threatening allergens....More

Alberta health minister dismisses alleged smoking-gun queue-jumping document

EDMONTON - Alberta's health minister says a government document opponents are calling the smoking gun on health-care queue-jumping is not that at all....More

German disease control centre says cause of E. coli outbreak locally-grown vegetable sprouts

BERLIN - Investigators have determined that locally grown vegetable sprouts are the cause of the European E. coli outbreak that has killed 29 and sickened nearly 3,000, the head of Germany's national disease control centre said Friday....More

Thursday, June 09, 2011

N.B. family from South Korea facing deportation because of son's autism

MONCTON, N.B. - A South Korean family living in New Brunswick is facing deportation later this month because the federal government has decided that providing health care for their youngest son would put too much strain on the system....More

More than 17,400 Canadians a year hospitalized for self-inflicted injuries

TORONTO - The rate of people committing suicide or going to hospital after deliberately harming themselves is higher than the rate of patients hospitalized for stroke in Canada, a new study indicates....More

Majority of Canadians fear shortfall in covering critical illness costs: survey

TORONTO - A new survey suggests many Canadians aren't taking the steps needed to financially prepare for health-care costs that may crop up in the event of a critical illness....More

DFO lifts brief ban on bivalve shellfish harvesting around N.S. island

HALIFAX - The federal Fisheries Department has lifted its ban on bivalve shellfish harvesting around Nova Scotia's Corkum Island in Lunenburg County. The ban was in effect briefly because of increased levels of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning....More

Cucumbers draw new attention in German E. coli outbreak

BERLIN - Cucumbers were back on the radar of German health authorities Wednesday as the possible cause of an E. coli outbreak in Europe that has killed at least 26 people and sickened over 2,700 others....More

Atwitter about 5 hot jobs: Social media, health care, IT offer bright career outlooks

CHICAGO - If you've been fantasizing about becoming a farmer or rancher, time to pick another daydream. No other occupation category had a bigger decline, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics....More

Alberta NDP leader asks RCMP to investigate allegations of queue jumping

EDMONTON - Alberta's NDP leader is asking the RCMP to investigate allegations of queue jumping in the health system....More

Alberta doctors told new pay agreement may not be reached by deadline

EDMONTON - The president of the Alberta Medical Association is telling physicians there's a real chance a new master pay agreement with the province may not be reached....More

Wednesday, June 08, 2011

Health Canada reviewing blood clot risk for birth-control pills Yaz, Yasmin

OTTAWA - Health Canada is conducting a safety review of Yaz and Yasmin birth-control pills to evaluate their potential for increasing the risk of blood clots compared with other oral contraceptives....More

EU farm chief proposes $219 million in aid to help producers hit by E. coli crisis

BRUSSELS - The EU farm chief proposed giving farmers €150 million ($219 million) in compensation Tuesday to help those slammed by plunging demand for produce amid the world's deadliest E. coli outbreak....More

Canada should reopen debate over irradiated food over Europe's E. coli outbreak

TORONTO - The Canadian government should reopen the discussion about irradiating food in light of the world's deadliest E. coli outbreak that has claimed 24 lives in Europe, a consumer group said Tuesday....More

Blood-thinner guidelines aimed at helping doctors prevent heart attack, stroke

OTTAWA - The Canadian Cardiovascular Society has issued new guidelines to help doctors use blood-thinning drugs like ASA to treat and prevent heart attacks and strokes. Dr....More

Auditors look at pharmacies, generic drug firms, to ensure new rules followed

TORONTO - Auditors will be sent into Ontario pharmacies and generic drug manufacturers to make sure they're complying with regulations banning so-called professional allowances, Health Minister Deb Matthews announced Tuesday....More

Almost 100 new cases in German E. coli outbreak reported, but epidemic appears to lose steam

BERLIN - Germany's national disease control centre says a further 94 people have been sickened by the deadliest E.coli outbreak in modern history....More

Alberta Tory candidate Alison Redford calls for inquiry into health problems

EDMONTON - One of Alberta's Progressive Conservative leadership candidates broke ranks Tuesday to demand a judicial inquiry into allegations that friends of the government have accessed a secret back-channel system to get faster health treatment....More

Toxins close shellfish harvesting around Nova Scotia's Corkum Island

HALIFAX - The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has closed bivalve shellfish harvesting around Nova Scotia's Corkum Island. The department cites an increase in levels of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning....More

Tuesday, June 07, 2011

Gay, bisexual high school students more likely to do risky things: CDC study

ATLANTA - Gay and bisexual high school students are more likely than their heterosexual classmates to smoke, drink alcohol or do other risky things, according to a U.S. government study released Monday....More

Extra radiation can reduce spread of breast cancer

A Canadian study found that giving breast cancer patients an extra dose of radiation may cut the spread and recurrence of the cancer. The findings were presented Monday at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago....More

Conservatives present deja vu budget, take shot at political rivals

OTTAWA - Cash for Quebec and a lump of coal for their political rivals are the only new elements Conservatives have dished up in a reprised federal budget that mirrors the one delivered barely two months ago....More

Certain Nonuttin' brand products may contain sesame not declared on label

OTTAWA - Officials are warning people who are allergic to sesame not to consume certain trail mixes, sunflower seeds and granola products made by Nonuttin' Foods Inc....More

Canadian migraine researchers hope to eventually cure debilitating disorder

HALIFAX - It's not the headache that Denise MacDonell dreads during a migraine attack, but the distorted vision that makes the Halifax woman feel as though she's just stared too long at a bright light bulb....More

Alberta government accused of letting cronies jump the health-care queue

EDMONTON - Alberta's health minister dismissed allegations Monday that his caucus colleagues have let friends and cronies jump the queue to get faster surgery....More

2 charged with assault on 8-month-old baby on Saskatchewan reserve

PUNNICHY, Sask. - Two people have been charged after a baby was found seriously hurt on a Saskatchewan First Nation. Mounties were notified last Thursday that an eight-month-old boy had been taken to Regina General Hospital....More

Almost 100 new cases in German E. coli outbreak reported, but epidemic appears to lose steam

BERLIN - Germany's national disease control centre says a further 94 people have been sickened by the deadliest E.coli outbreak in modern history....More

Monday, June 06, 2011

German-grown beansprouts likely cause of deadly E. coli outbreak

HAMBURG - German agricultural authorities on Sunday identified locally grown beansprouts as the likely cause of an E. coli outbreak that has killed 22 people and sickened hundreds in Europe....More

German beansprouts likely cause of deadly E. coli outbreak; toll at 22 dead, over 2,200 sick

HAMBURG - German agricultural authorities on Sunday identified locally grown beansprouts as the likely cause of an E. coli outbreak that has killed 22 people and sickened over 2,200 others in Europe....More

Flaxseed won't stop hot flashes: Study

QMI Agency Despite previous studies showing that flaxseed can help reduce hot flashes associated with breast cancer and menopause, new research shows it's no more effective than taking sugar pills....More

Experimental Pfizer cancer pill may sharply boost survival of lung cancer patients

TRENTON, N.J. - New research shows a promising drug for advanced lung tumors with a certain genetic mutation appears to double survival over standard cancer drugs. The drug from Pfizer Inc....More

Eating flaxseed does not reduce hot flashes in women after menopause, rigorous study finds

CHICAGO - Women looking for a natural remedy for a common menopause problem will be disappointed by a new study that found that eating flaxseed does not curb hot flashes....More

Canadians ignorant about HIV: Survey

QMI Agency Most Canadians believe they are knowledgeable about HIV and AIDS, yet only half of those surveyed considered condoms to be very effective in reducing the spread of HIV, a new study reveals....More

13,000 cyclists raise record $3.9 million in Ride for Heart in Toronto

TORONTO - More than 13,000 cyclists and inline skaters took over two major Toronto arteries Sunday as they raised a record $3.9 million for heart and stroke research....More

Germany awaiting test results on sprouts in E. coli outbreak that killed 22

BERLIN - Official test results Monday are likely to show that sprouts from an organic farm in northern Germany caused the E. coli outbreak that has killed 22 people, sickened more than 2,200 and left Europeans across the continent uneasy about eating raw vegetables....More

Friday, June 03, 2011

Forest fire threatening two northern Saskatchewan communities growing

WOLLASTON LAKE, Sask. - Crews worked feverishly at the edge of a high school sports field in northern Saskatchewan on Thursday to try to fend off a forest fire and protect two communities....More

Feds send Hercules aircraft to evacuate fire-threatened Saskatchewan communities

WOLLASTON LAKE, Sask. - Ottawa is sending in military planes to evacuate people from two northern Saskatchewan communities threatened by wildfires....More

Concussion? There's an app to help with early diagnosis of head trauma injuries

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The next tool in the campaign against concussions might be your smartphone....More

CDC report: Number of Americans with HIV grows over 2 years as treatment prolongs lives

ATLANTA - New government statistics show about 1.1 million Americans were living with the AIDS virus in 2008, an increase of about 71,000 from 2006. An increase was expected because people with HIV are living longer and healthier lives thanks to treatment....More

Canadian food inspectors step up testing of some imported produce from Europe

TORONTO - Food inspectors will step up their border and surveillance controls for cucumbers, lettuce and tomatoes from European countries affected by an E. coli outbreak, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Thursday....More

Bus beheader can gradually stay out of locked ward longer, supervised by 1:board

WINNIPEG - A criminal review board has decided that a man who beheaded a fellow bus passenger on a Manitoba highway and ate pieces of his flesh can gradually have longer periods of time outside his locked mental ward....More

One man's success revives hope of curing AIDS, 30 years after first cases appeared in the US

Sunday marks 30 years since the first AIDS cases were reported in the United States. And this anniversary brings fresh hope for something many had come to think was impossible: finding a cure....More

Germany says numbers of people sickened by potentially deadly E. coli bacteria still rising

BERLIN - Nearly 200 new cases of E. coli infection were reported in Germany in the first two days of June, the national disease control centre reported Friday, but officials say there are signs the European bacterial outbreak that has killed 18 people could be slowing....More

Thursday, June 02, 2011

Feds send Hercules aircraft to evacuate fire-threatened Saskatchewan communities

WOLLASTON LAKE, Sask. - Ottawa is sending in military planes to evacuate people from two northern Saskatchewan community threatened by wildfires....More

Care for women with HIV unequal, need to target immigrants, aboriginals: study

TORONTO - Improved prevention and treatment efforts are needed to eliminate gaps in care for women with HIV, who make up about a quarter of all new HIV infections in Ontario, researchers say. In a 2006-2008 study, researchers at St....More

Breakdown in communication? 1 in 4 women with abnormal Pap doesn't get followup

TORONTO - One-quarter of women whose Pap smears showed abnormalities didn't get the followup that would be expected within two years of the test, an examination of more than 40,000 screenings has revealed....More

WHO says E. coli strain responsible for European outbreak is new strain never detected before

LONDON - The World Health Organization said Thursday that the E. coli bacteria responsible for a deadly outbreak that has left 18 dead and sickened hundreds in Europe is a new strain that has never been seen before....More

Push to empty fire-threatened Sask. communities continues, Ottawa steps in

WOLLASTON LAKE, Sask. - Military aircraft are in the process of evacuating residents from two northern Saskatchewan communities at risk of being consumed by wildfires....More

Overnight efforts airlift almost all residents from fire-threatened Sask towns

WOLLASTON LAKE, Sask. - Nearly all the residents of two northern Saskatchewan communities threatened by wildfires have been airlifted to safety....More

Officials: 7 people in the UK been confirmed with cases of E. coli amid outbreak in Europe

LONDON - Britain's Health Protection Agency says 7 people in the U.K. have been confirmed with a new strain of E. coli which has left 17 people dead across Europe, almost all of them in Germany, and infected 1,500....More

Feds send Hercules aircraft to evacuate fire-threatened Saskatchewan communities

WOLLASTON LAKE, Sask. - Ottawa is sending in military planes to evacuate people from two northern Saskatchewan communities threatened by wildfires....More