Everyone’s heard them. Most people believe at least one.

In this episode of the Avaaz Health Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Jiti, oncologist and cancer specialist, to break down some of the most common (and dangerous) health myths circulating right now.

From “Why screen if I feel fine?” to “Only smokers get lung cancer,” we unpack what’s fact, what’s fiction, and what you actually need to know to protect your health.

We also dive into hormone testing trends, testosterone myths, breast pain fears, mammogram radiation concerns, and the truth about cortisol.

🎧 Listen now and rethink what you thought you knew.

#HealthMyths #CancerScreening #PreventiveHealth #WomensHealth #MensHealth #HormoneHealth #Mammogram #LungCancerAwareness #MedicalFacts #AvaazHealth

Everyone’s talking about them—the so-called “magic” weight-loss injections. But what’s actually fact vs. hype?

In this episode, we break down GLP-1s (like Ozempic) in a physician-led, evidence-based conversation. How do these medications actually work in the body? Who are they truly for? What are the real benefits beyond weight loss—and what about the side effects and accessibility concerns?

From appetite regulation and metabolic health to the risks, costs, and unanswered questions, we’re cutting through the noise to bring you clear, science-backed insights you can trust.

Get the skinny on GLP-1s. Listen to the full episode on the Avaaz Health Podcast today.

#GLP1 #Ozempic #WeightLossScience #EvidenceBasedMedicine #AvaazHealth

Show Notes

https://vancouversun.com/news/what-do-generic-versions-ozempic-wegovy-mean-bc

https://globalnews.ca/news/11609231/health-canada-glp-1-pill-rybelsus/

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/article/canadian-health-officials-warn-against-counterfeit-versions-of-ozempic-mounjaro/

Menopause is everywhere in the conversation right now—but not all the information is accurate.

In our latest episode, “Not Your Mother’s Menopause,” we revisit this topic with the latest science-based guidance and break down what women need to know now:

✨ What actually happens during perimenopause?✨ Who should consider Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT)? And for how long?✨ What exactly is genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) — and why does nobody talk about it?✨ If your libido changes, do you need testosterone?

We unpack all of this in a physician-led, evidence-based conversation.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, and watch the episode on Youtube.

A huge thank you to the menopause experts whose work informed this episode:
• Dr. Ardelle Piper — OBGYN, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner
• Dr. Natalie Gamache — Gynecologist & menopause specialist
• Dr. Woganee Filate — Respirologist & sleep medicine physician
• Dr. Suzanne Rutherford — @thefitphysician

Show Notes

Medical management of menopause symptoms: https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/dnd-mdn/documents/health/WDH_Clinician_Guide_Menopause.pdf

Pocket Guide to Menopause Management: https://www.canadianmenopausesociety.org/sites/default/files/pdf/publications/Final-Pocket%20Guide.pdf

Step by step approach to determine the safety of prescribing hormone therapy: https://thischangedmypractice.com/determine-safety-of-prescribing-hrt/ 

 Menopause: Don't Sweat it: Part 1 - symptoms, by UBC CPD: https://thischangedmypractice.com/menopause-dont-sweat-it-part-1/

What to know about bioidentical hormone therapy: https://menopausefoundationcanada.ca/pdf_files/What_to_Know_Bioidentical_EN.pdf

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) - a refresher: https://thischangedmypractice.com/genitourinary-syndrome-of-menopause/

Sexual counselling online: e-sense.com, IG: @esensehealth

In this episode, we discuss how South Asian genes lead to higher risks for heart disease, diabetes, and other metabolic syndromes, at a younger age. 

We talk about what tests you should be asking for, what helps (and what doesn't), and the fascinating role of epigenetics in shaping our current health risk factors.

Mubin Syed, MD, also know as @desidoc.md on Instagram, is a nationally recognised physician with almost 30 years of experience, specialising in endovascular therapy. He is also a health historian, a medtech entrepreneur, and a medical products inventor. His personal experience as a survivor of a heart attack, fuelled his desire to educate South Asians about their higher risks of disease, diabetes and other metabolic syndromes.  He is the author of a medical guide on pain treatment and two works focusing on the modern South Asian health crisis. He has been a TEDx speaker and was featured in the “Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies” PBS documentary, and in CNN International/ The Guardian and HuffPostUK. And he is the author of a new book, Healing From Our History: How Colonial-Era Famines Led to a Modern South Asian Health Crisis.

You won’t want to miss this week’s episode.

Resources 

ASCVD risk score (not a good indicator for S Asians) (https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/3398/ascvd-atherosclerotic-cardiovascular-disease-2013-risk-calculator-aha-acc 

MASALA study https://www.masalastudy.org/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4987009/

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-97605-z

In many South Asian families, we talk about everything except the tough stuff—illness, prognosis, end-of-life wishes. Out of love, we avoid it. Out of habit, we call it fate.

But the next generation is left guessing when it matters most.

This episode breaks down why advance care planning isn’t disrespectful—it’s clarity, comfort, and care for your family.

Let’s stop assuming. Let’s start talking.
New episode out now. 🎙️✨

Show Notes:

Research/References:

1.  CFPC Guide to Advance Care Planning

2. https://bc-cpc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ACP-Checklist_SPREAD.pdf

3.https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/people/seniors/health-safety/pdf/myvoice_feb2013_pun.pdf (punjabi), https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/people/seniors/health-safety/pdf/hindi_myvoice_feb2020.pdf (hindi)

4. Advance Care Planning in BC (youtube video in English with Punjabi subtitles)

5.Serious Illness Conversation Guide

6. Taking serious illness conversations seriously: Unveiling South Asian perspectives on advance care planning using the Serious Illness Conversation GuideIssue: BCMJ vol. 67 , No. 5 , June 2025 , Pages 166-173 Original Research

Ever wondered what contraception really is — and how it actually works? 💊✨

In this episode, our doctors break down the basics:
🔹 What contraception means (and why it’s more than just “birth control”)
🔹 The different types available — from pills and IUDs to injections and condoms
🔹 How each method works to safely and effectively prevent pregnancy

Whether you’re exploring your options or just want to understand your body better, this conversation is for you.
Let’s talk openly about choices, comfort, and control — because informed women make empowered decisions. 💪🏽💗

🎧 Tune in now to Avaaz – your trusted doctor-led guide to reproductive health – wherever you listen to your podcasts. Also find us on YouTube

#SouthAsianWomen #ContraceptionExplained #BirthControlEducation #DoctorPodcast #WomensHealthMatters #ReproductiveHealth #HealthAwareness 

Show Notes:

 https://www.jogc.com/article/S1701-2163(16)30033-0/fulltext  

In this episode of the Avaaz Podcast, we break down the myths, stigma, and science behind common infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, and more — especially in South Asian communities where these conversations are often silenced.

💡 Knowledge is power — and sexual health is health.

🎧 Listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.
#AvaazPodcast #STIawareness #SexualHealth #SouthAsianHealth #LetsTalkAboutIt #Podcast #fyp

🩺 What is dementia really — and how can we better support those living with it? In this week’s episode, our regular podcast doctors, Dr. Madhu and Dr. Nav, break down the facts and myths about dementia. From early symptoms and diagnosis to treatment options and compassionate caregiving — we’re covering it all. 

👩‍⚕️ Medical insight you can trust 

💡 Simple explanations for complex conditions 

❤️ Tips for families, caregivers & health professionals 🎧 Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more!

#DementiaAwareness #BrainHealth #southasianwomen #MedicalPodcast #CaregivingTips #GeriatricMedicine #AvaazPodcast #HealthEducation

Show Notes:

https://alzheimer.ca/bc/en/help-support/programs-services/support-south-asian-communities

https://globalnews.ca/news/11309084/walking-alzheimers-reduce-risk/

Experiences of dementia in South Asian communities in Canada

https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/alzheimer-women-risks-1.7604574

Dementia Village Pilot BC

🩺 Today we're discussing prenatal care on Season 6 of the Avaaz podcast.

If you or someone you love is wanting to get pregnant, it's important to be prepared and make sure they're getting the medical information they need. In this episode we tell you what what to watch for, what tests to get done and how to prevent serious illness for mom and baby-to-be.

While we delve into this topic, we also examine it from a South Asian lens. Are there any higher risks? We're joined by expert, Dr Dimithra Hippola, a family practice/obstetrics physician at BC Women's Hospital who has been practicing medicine 27 years. Show Notes:⁠https://pregnancyvancouver.ca/⁠⁠https://smartparentcanada.ca⁠⁠https://study.smartmomcanada.ca⁠

So many women suffer from pelvic pain, and they don’t know why.  In this episode, our doctors discuss a common reason for pelvic pain: endometriosis.

Endometriosis is often under-diagnosed and under-treated in women, and even more so in South Asian women. We discuss  the barriers to diagnosis, including not wanting to talk about “taboo” topics like pelvic pain, and barriers to healthcare access, diagnosis and care in racialized communities.

Join us for a frank discussion about the symptoms, causes, possible treatment options, and the burden of pelvic pain. We hope this episode leaves you feeling empowered to ask for help if you suffer from endometriosis or other causes of pelvic pain.

Find us wherever you listen to podcasts, and watch us on YouTube. Links in bio!

#healthpodcast #southasianwomen #pelvicpain #endometriosis