Health

The FDA granted Fast Track Designation to pelareorep, given with bevacizumab and FOLFIRI, for second‑line treatment of KRAS‑mutant, microsatellite‑stable metastatic colorectal cancer, and Oncolytics said it applied after focusing on gastrointestinal cancer and reviewing its colorectal data.

A study published in Circulation reports that diseased kidneys release tiny particles reported to be toxic to the heart, and researchers described molecular signals linking the two organs.

Samantha Mercanti of Hamilton speaks openly about living with schizophrenia and credits early treatment and supports with her recovery; a study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal reports that diagnoses of psychotic disorders have increased across recent birth cohorts and are occurring at earlier ages.

Frank Prato says two independent animal ethics reviews cleared his lab of abuse allegations, and he defends the cardiac study on dogs after its suspension and public criticism.

A BC Cancer Victoria trial using stereotactic radiotherapy with AI is allowing some prostate cancer patients to receive far fewer radiation sessions, in some cases as few as two instead of the typical 20–40. The trial began in July, has enrolled about 15–20 patients so far, and aims to reach 100 participants and finish within two years.

A 61-year-old man with aggressive double-hit lymphoma received outpatient dose-adjusted EPOCH chemotherapy delivered continuously via a portable pump carried in a backpack at The Ottawa Hospital, and was later told he should consider himself in complete remission.

Calgary's executive committee narrowly voted down a motion that would have supported the provincial plan to close the Safeworks supervised consumption site and instead asked for clearer details; the province announced plans to replace the site with a treatment program and has not released full details.

A Delta, B.C. woman says her two-year-old husky swallowed a napkin and later overdosed on cocaine but recovered after veterinary treatment. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association says it does not collect data on pet overdoses, though veterinarians report seeing more cases.

A Happy Enough podcast episode features Dr. Michael Mak of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health discussing that many Canadians struggle with sleep and that poor sleep can affect both physical and mental health.

Registered dietitian Leslie Beck outlines diet and lifestyle approaches that can lower LDL cholesterol and support cognitive health, highlighting reduced saturated fat, more soluble fibre and plant protein, and nutrient-rich foods such as tofu and oily fish.

A long-term study in the Journal of the American Heart Association followed more than 5,000 adults from young adulthood and found men’s 10-year cardiovascular risk began to diverge from women’s around age 35, with men reaching clinically significant levels about seven years earlier than women.

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City features over 3,000 dogs competing in events such as masters agility, flyball and breed judging, with Best in Show scheduled to conclude the multi-day event at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.

Manitoba is offering free hepatitis A vaccines to Peguis First Nation residents, visitors and close contacts aged six months and older amid an ongoing outbreak; the province reported 308 outbreak-associated cases as of Jan. 18.

A provincial review board reduced a Statement of Account for the removal and care of 58 dogs from a Hamilton-area home to a $10,000 charge for the owner after an initial bill of about $108,928; the animals remained in provincial care through mid-August.

A UBC-led study published in JAMA Network Open reports that opportunistic salpingectomy—removal of the fallopian tubes during routine gynaecological surgery—was associated with a 78% lower risk of serous ovarian cancer in an analysis of more than 85,000 people in British Columbia between 2008 and 2020.

A Scarborough Health Network study found immigrants from the Caribbean, the Philippines and Sri Lanka were six to 12 times more likely to need dialysis than Canadian-born residents, and that country of birth predicted dialysis risk more strongly than ethnicity while time in Canada did not reduce that risk.

Serena Williams says she lost roughly 30 pounds after using a GLP-1 medication and reported improvements in cholesterol and projected cardiovascular risk.

A Kashechewan First Nation mother and her teenage daughter are staying in Niagara Falls hotels after a weeks-long water treatment problem led to an evacuation; about 921 evacuees are in the city and regional public health teams have been assessing reported illnesses.

Kamloops saw 50 illicit drug overdose deaths in the first 10 months of 2025, putting the city on pace for roughly 60 deaths for the year and below the 92 deaths recorded in 2024; provincial and national data show similar declines while experts say the reasons are unclear.

British Columbia announced it will not renew its agreement with Health Canada, ending a three-year drug decriminalization pilot that concluded Jan. 31. A harm reduction advocate described the decision as "really unfortunate" and a step backwards.

A B.C. Supreme Court trial is examining transfers of patients from faith-based facilities to access medical assistance in dying. The article cites a 25-minute April 2023 ambulance transfer from St. Paul’s to a Vancouver Coastal Health hospice and notes a connected VCH 'Shoreline Space' was later built.

A first-time ice climber recounts a 2022 ascent at Kushog Lake in Southern Ontario and describes technique, gear and regional routes; the piece also reports that warming temperatures are shortening ice-climbing seasons and that glaciers in Western Canada are melting faster than a decade ago.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada says some Manitoban federal workers received notices that their jobs are affected, while the federal government confirmed a Portage la Prairie research farm will close.

Small Canadian labels including Bathing Belle, Downtown Betty and Left on Friday are making swim and athletic wear tailored for saunas, cold plunges and contrast therapy, emphasizing fit, non-metallic details and durable, quick-drying fabrics.

Many celebrities describe having Lyme disease or 'chronic Lyme', a term not recognized by mainstream medicine; experts say private testing and unproven treatments can be unregulated and carry risks.

The Stollery Children's Hospital earned ChildKind International certification for pediatric pain care and uses a combined pharmacological, physical and psychological approach to reduce pain and distress for patients.

A Missouri man developed severe lung failure after influenza and necrotizing pneumonia; doctors used an experimental artificial lung device and later performed a transplant, a procedure described in a new paper.

Manitoba Health has identified three new measles exposure sites in southern Manitoba; people who were at those locations during the listed times are asked to monitor for symptoms and check their immunization records.

The Treasury Board reported that 8,230 employee roles and 425 executive positions in 24 core federal departments are to be eliminated, and 23,063 workforce notices have been issued to employees reported as at risk.

An outbreak of Nipah virus in West Bengal has produced five confirmed cases and led to quarantines and health screenings at airports in neighbouring countries.