The DocTalks Podcast

The choice of breast reconstruction after a mastectomy is extremely personal. In this episode of PatientTalks, a spinoff of the DocTalks podcast, we're joined by Gen Kroeker to talk about her journey with breast cancer and what led her to decide to have breast reconstructive surgery after her mastectomy. Gen speaks to the impact of that choice, vulnerable conversations with her care team, and reflects on the decision years later.  

Gen is a model in the 'Show & Tell Lounge' at Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day on Oct. 22, 2026. BRA Day is an opportunity for patients to discover if breast reconstruction after mastectomy is right for them. Attendees will have the chance to meet surgeons, get their questions answered and view real-life results first-hand. The event is free, but registration is required.

If you're interested in donating to the Breast Care Program at St. Joseph's, visit the St. Joseph's Health Care London Foundation's website. 

Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcast is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner.  
 

Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation. Produced by The Pod Cabin and Emily Mackey. 

It's almost impossible these days to watch TV, scroll on social media or take transit without seeing ads for GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy. These medications have taken the world by storm for treatment of Type-2 diabetes and obesity. Dr. Tamara Spaic joins the DocTalks Podcast this episode to talk about the life-changing benefits of GLP-1 medications, side effects and the risk of prescribing them for cosmetic weight loss.

Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation. Produced by The Pod Cabin and Emily Mackey.

More than 500,000 Canadians live with dementia -- an overall term for a set of symptoms caused by disorders affecting the brain such as Alzheimer’s disease. There is currently no cure or treatments that can reverse dementia however, through research, St. Joseph’s Lawson scientists, led by Dr. Michael Borrie, Medical Director for St. Joseph’s Aging Brain and Memory Clinic, a key member of the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration and Aging (CCNA) and Program Director of the South Western Ontario Regional Geriatric Program, are completing clinical trials on medications and treatments that can slow and sometimes stop the progression of the disease.  

On this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, Dr. Borrie joined host Mandi Fields to discuss the dementia research happening at Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph’s. You can listen to the previous episode with Dr. Borrie where he discusses what dementia is, here.  

If you are interested in taking part in the studies Dr. Borrie mentions in this episode, please contact Julia Truemner, Research Coordinator, at [email protected] or 519-64661000 Ex 46600. 

If you would like to help support Dr. Borrie’s research, please visit the St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation’s website and learn more about making a donation. 

According to the Cleveland Clinic, a human heart beats about 100,000 times per day. Last season, DocTalks featured an episode on heart health in women – today, Dr. Neville Suskin joins the show to discuss heart health in men. Men are 2 times more likely to suffer a heart attack than women, and are newly diagnosed with heart disease on average 10 years before women. Dr. Suskin discusses why this is, the risk factors of heart disease and St. Joseph’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.  

Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcast is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner.

Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation. Produced by The Pod Cabin and Emily Mackey. 

How would you feel if you could no longer smell your favourite scent? 

Anosmia is a partial or full loss of smell. While usually a temporary symptom of an illness like a cold or sinus infection, more serious medical issues like a brain injury or diabetes could cause anosmia. On today’s episode of the DocTalks Podcast, Dr. Leigh Sowerby, Division Head of Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery at St. Joseph’s Health Care London and Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at Western University, joins to discuss anosmia. He chats with host, Mandi Fields, about causes, impact on lifestyle and treatments.  

Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcast is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner.

Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation. Produced by The Pod Cabin and Emily Mackey.

What does life look like after cancer, once the treatment is done and you’re deemed cancer-free? On today’s episode of PatientTalks, a spinoff of the DocTalks Podcast, Kellie Chouinard joins the show to discuss survivorship. From grief, to support systems, to follow-up appointments, Kellie’s conversation with host, Mandi Fields, is an intimate and vulnerable look at life after breast cancer.   

This is the final episode in the breast cancer PatientTalks series. Thank you to the women who shared their stories on our show and laid the groundwork for vulnerable conversations. If you haven’t listened to the first three episodes, you can do so on whichever platform you’re listening to this episode.  

To learn about breast screening and St. Joseph Health Care London’s (St. Joseph’s) Breast Care Program, visit the St. Joseph's website. Did you know? Eligible patients can now self-schedule their OBSP mammogram appointments for St. Joseph’s Hospital, online. 

Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcast is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner. 

Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation. Produced by The Pod Cabin and Emily Mackey. 

Lymphedema is a chronic condition that develops when the lymphatic system is damaged – whether from radiation, lymph node removal or other interventions. In breast cancer patients, with the removal of underarm lymph nodes, the average rate of lymphedema is 3%. If there is removal of underarm lymph nodes and radiation combined, the risk increases to an average of 12%. Today’s episode of PatientTalks, a spinoff of the DocTalks Podcast, features Deb Jazey, a breast cancer survivor who has been living with lymphedema for over ten years. Deb joins host Mandi Fields to discuss the realities of lymphedema, treatment and the emotional impact of the condition.  

To learn about breast screening and St. Joseph Health Care London’s (St. Joseph’s) Breast Care Program, visit the St. Joseph's website. Did you know? Eligible patients can now self-schedule their OBSP mammogram appointments for St. Joseph’s Hospital, online.

For information about the Assistive Devices Program Deb mentions in her interview, visit the Ontario government’s website. 

For those in the London region experiencing lymphedema, learn more about the Lymphedema Clinic at London Health Sciences Centre.  

Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcast is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner. 

Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation. Produced by The Pod Cabin and Emily Mackey. 

In recent years, the breast cancer incident rate in women under 50 has risen faster than in women over 50. Being diagnosed with breast cancer young comes with a unique set of challenges. On today’s episode of PatientTalks, Jenna Dias is back and joined by Katie Pollock to discuss what it’s like to be diagnosed young. Both diagnosed in their 30s, Jenna and Katie provide vulnerable insights into hair loss, intimacy and the importance of support systems.  

To learn about breast screening and St. Joseph Health Care London’s (St. Joseph’s) Breast Care Program, visit the St. Joseph's website. 

Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcast is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner. 

Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation. Produced by The Pod Cabin and Emily Mackey. 

It is estimated 1 in 8 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. On today’s episode of The DocTalks Podcast, a new series, PatientTalks kicks off with Jenna Dias, a St. Joseph’s patient and breast cancer survivor. Jenna joins host Mandi Fields to discuss the new PatientTalks series, her breast cancer journey and advice she has for those just starting, or in the midst of, their own journey.  

Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcast is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner.

Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation. Produced by The Pod Cabin and Emily Mackey. 

It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly how many men experience low testosterone due to varying definitions and study populations, however data suggests that about 2% of men may have low testosterone, and another study has estimated that more than 8% of men aged 50 to 79 years have low testosterone. On today’s episode of the DocTalks Podcast, Dr. Jeffrey Campbell, a urologist at St. Joseph’s Health Care London, joined host Mandi Fields to discuss signs of low testosterone, treatment, and why you don’t have to accept and ignore the symptoms as you age.  

Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcast is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner.

Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation. Produced by The Pod Cabin and Emily Mackey.