Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / Head Spas, Sleep and Longevity, and Breast Cancer Screening Trends in Canada

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Head Spas, Sleep and Longevity, and Breast Cancer Screening Trends in Canada · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

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Welcome to Morning Medical with Dr.
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Chow, where we bring you the latest updates in the world of health and medicine every day.
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I'm Dr.
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Chi-Ming Chow, and today we're exploring a fascinating trend that's making waves across
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the United States.
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It's all about Japanese-style scalp massages, or as they're more commonly known, head spas.
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These head spas are a wellness trend that originated in Japan and are rapidly gaining
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popularity in the United States.
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With hundreds of locations now offering these scalp-focused treatments, they're becoming a
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go-to option for people seeking relaxation and rejuvenation.
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But what exactly happens in a head spa session?
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A typical head spa session lasts around 60 to 90 minutes.
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It usually kicks off with a scalp inspection followed by deep cleansing, exfoliation, steam,
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and a comprehensive massage covering the head, face, and neck.
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The experience is often enhanced with essential oils, conditioning masks, and aromatherapy, all
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set in a serene environment with dimmed lights and soft music.
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The core component of a head spa is the hair wash, which is particularly refreshing on hot
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and humid days.
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This is combined with massages targeting the scalp, neck, and shoulders—areas where people,
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especially those who spend long hours in front of a computer, often carry a lot of tension.
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Head spas are not just about relaxation; some claim health benefits too.
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They often suggest their treatments can provide stress relief or address scalp skin conditions
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and hair loss, including conditions like alopecia.
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However, experts advise that individuals with specific skin or hair issues should consult a
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dermatologist or medical professional for proper treatment.
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Despite these claims, many people find head spas to be a delightful complement to medical
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treatments, if needed, and a wonderful way to unwind.
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The sensation of having your hair and scalp thoroughly pampered is something many find
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deeply relaxing, often leading them to fall asleep during the session.
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As head spas continue to rise in popularity in the United States, it's clear that this trend
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is more than just a passing fad.
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Whether you're looking for a unique way to relax or you're curious about the potential
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health benefits, head spas offer an intriguing option for both.
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Following the United States' recent implementation of travel restrictions due to
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the Ebola outbreak, there's been a growing debate on whether Canada should consider
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similar measures.
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The outbreak, declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World
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Health Organization, is predominantly affecting regions in Congo and Uganda, with a concerning
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number of suspected cases and fatalities.
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The United States has already taken steps, imposing entry bans on foreign travelers who
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have been in Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan in the past twenty-one days.
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This move has sparked discussions among Canadian officials and health experts about the
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potential effectiveness of similar travel restrictions here in Canada.
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Dr.
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Gerald Evans, a professor of medicine and infectious diseases at Queen's University,
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argues against the necessity of Canadian travel restrictions.
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He points out that travel bans have historically been ineffective in controlling
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the spread of viruses like Ebola.
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Dr.
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Isaac Bogoch from Toronto General Hospital echoes this sentiment, suggesting that such
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measures might not be as effective as intended when it comes to infectious diseases.
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Unlike COVID-19, which had a short incubation period and was easily transmissible before
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symptoms appeared, Ebola spreads in a different manner.
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It is primarily transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids of those who are
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symptomatic.
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Both Evans and Bogoch highlight the importance of targeted health measures over broad travel
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bans.
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They emphasize the importance of supporting low- and middle-income countries in their
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efforts to prevent, detect, and respond to outbreaks.
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This approach not only aids in controlling the current Ebola situation but also helps in
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building robust healthcare systems to handle future outbreaks effectively.
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While the World Health Organization has declared the outbreak a public health
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emergency, it does not meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency.
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The virus causing the outbreak, Bundibugyo virus disease, lacks approved vaccines or
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specific treatments, which adds another layer of complexity to the response efforts.
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A fascinating new study published in the journal Nature is shedding light on how sleep
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duration might be linked to longevity.
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Researchers from Columbia University in New York have delved into global biobank data from
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around 500,000 individuals who reported their sleep duration over a twenty-four-hour period,
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including naps.
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The study's findings suggest that both insufficient and excessive sleep are associated
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with signs of 'older biology.' To reach this conclusion, the researchers compared reported
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sleep times with twenty-three biological aging clocks.
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These clocks estimate whether different parts of the body appear biologically older or
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younger than the person's actual age.
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The research identified statistically significant connections between sleep and aging
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across numerous bodily systems, including the brain, heart, immune system, and skin.
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It appears that women who slept between six and a half to seven point eight hours and men who
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slept between six point four to seven point seven hours had the lowest biological age gap
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according to the study.
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Interestingly, longer sleep was more strongly linked to psychiatric-related outcomes, while
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shorter sleep seemed to have more pronounced effects on physical health, impacting systems
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such as cardiovascular, metabolic, musculoskeletal, psychiatric, neurological,
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pulmonary, and gastrointestinal.
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The study highlighted that shorter sleep could increase the relative risk for all-cause
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mortality by fifty percent, whereas longer sleep could increase it by about forty percent.
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However, it is important to note that the study was observational in nature, meaning it does
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not definitively prove that sleeping exactly six to eight hours will slow down aging.
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Self-reported sleep is a limitation, as it relies on individuals accurately recalling and
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reporting their sleep patterns.
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Dr.
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Saema Tahir, a board-certified sleep medicine physician based in New York, commented on these
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findings, emphasizing that sleep is when the body performs critical repair work, such as
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cellular restoration, immune regulation, and hormonal balance.
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Disruptions in sleep, whether due to consistently short or long sleep durations, can
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accumulate at the cellular level, leading to accelerated aging.
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Dr.
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Tahir advises against treating the six- to eight-hour sleep recommendation as a rigid
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rule, as sleep needs are highly individualized.
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Factors such as age, health conditions, and lifestyle can significantly alter a person's
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sleep requirements.
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She suggests using the recommendation as a framework while paying close attention to how
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refreshed and alert you feel during the day.
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Deep sleep and REM sleep are critical phases where growth hormone release and tissue repair
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peak, and where cognitive health and emotional regulation are supported.
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Dr.
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Tahir notes that simply chasing a certain number of sleep hours without addressing sleep
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quality issues like fragmentation or sleep apnea might not lead to the desired health
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outcomes.
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The takeaway from this study is that sleep is not just a lifestyle choice but a biological
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necessity with measurable consequences for aging and overall health.
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Prioritizing consistent, good-quality sleep can be one of the most accessible tools for healthy
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aging, without the need for prescription medications or expensive interventions.
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Recently, Montreal has seen a significant rise in Lyme disease cases, prompting a warning from
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public health officials.
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In 2025, the city recorded 161 cases, marking the highest number since the disease became
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notifiable in Quebec in 2003.
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This means it's mandatory for healthcare providers to report cases of Lyme disease to
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the authorities.
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The increase in tick-borne diseases is not just confined to Montreal; it's a growing concern
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across the province with 869 cases reported between January 1 and November 5, 2025.
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The Quebec government suggests that climate change may be contributing to this rise.
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Warmer weather conditions allow ticks to thrive more easily, increasing the risk of tick-borne
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infections.
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In Montreal, the public health agency estimates that 38 percent of the cases were contracted
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within the city itself.
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Since 2024, the entire Island of Montreal has been identified as at risk for tick exposure,
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which means residents and visitors alike need to be cautious.
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Dr.
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Nicolas Sheppard-Jones, the medical director of the infectious diseases emergency response unit
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at the Montreal regional public health department, emphasizes the importance of
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outdoor activities for health and well-being.
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However, he notes that the risk of encountering ticks has increased over the past decade.
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To minimize risks, he advises wearing long clothing and using insect repellent in areas
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where ticks are prevalent, such as tall grass, gardens, forests, and woodlands.
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Dr.
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Sheppard-Jones also recommends performing thorough body checks after outdoor activities
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like hiking.
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If a tick is found, it can be removed at home or by a medical professional.
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Early symptoms of Lyme disease include a circular rash around the bite mark, and these
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symptoms can appear anywhere from three to thirty days after exposure.
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While a course of antibiotics typically resolves the infection, there is a risk of
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complications affecting the heart and nervous system if the disease is not treated promptly.
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Today, we're delving into a fascinating study that sheds light on how maintaining a youthful
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brain might offer resilience against Alzheimer's disease.
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This research, published in the journal Neurology, suggests that preserving the overall
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structure of the brain could help buffer the cognitive decline commonly associated with
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Alzheimer's pathology.
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In simpler terms, a brain that appears younger than its chronological age might be better
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equipped to handle the burden of Alzheimer's-related changes.
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The study focused on two markers of brain reserve in cognitively unimpaired older adults:
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brain-predicted age difference, often referred to as brain-PAD, and a volumetric Alzheimer's
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disease signature.
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The brain-PAD is a fascinating measure that uses magnetic resonance imaging data to
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determine how much older or younger a brain appears compared to the person's actual age.
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This marker was found to moderate the relationship between Alzheimer's pathology and
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various cognitive functions such as episodic memory, processing speed, working memory, and
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executive function or attentional control.
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Interestingly, the study revealed that individuals with younger-appearing brains
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showed a weaker negative association between Alzheimer's pathology and poorer cognitive
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outcomes.
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This suggests that maintaining good brain health could potentially mitigate some of the
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cognitive impacts of Alzheimer's disease.
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The researchers also looked at markers of cognitive reserve, such as socioeconomic status
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and years of education, but these did not show a clear protective cognitive effect in the
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context of Alzheimer's pathology.
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Dr.
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Kelsey Sewell and her colleagues from Murdoch University School of Allied Health in Perth,
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Australia, emphasized that maintaining overall brain health is crucial for reducing the impact
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of Alzheimer's-related changes on cognitive function.
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They suggest that lifestyle factors like regular exercise, a healthy diet, adequate
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sleep, and engaging in new cognitive challenges can contribute to a healthier brain.
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The study also highlighted a critical observation: about twenty to thirty percent of
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adults aged sixty-five to seventy-five exhibit signs of Alzheimer's pathology without showing
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any measurable cognitive impairment.
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This phenomenon is often attributed to what is known as resilience—various reserve-related
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processes that allow the brain to maintain cognitive performance despite aging or disease.
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Within this framework, two key concepts emerge: cognitive reserve, which allows for better
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cognitive performance than expected given the degree of brain changes, and brain reserve,
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which refers to the neurobiological capacity of the brain at any given time.
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An accompanying editorial by Maria Carrigan and Colin Groot from Amsterdam University Medical
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Center further supports the study's findings.
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They note that preserved global brain structure seems to reduce vulnerability to cognitive
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decline even before symptoms of Alzheimer's emerge.
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They also raise intriguing questions for future research, such as the biological processes that
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contribute to a younger-appearing brain and how interventions targeting lifestyle factors might
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modify brain-PAD.
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This study involved 621 cognitively unimpaired, physically inactive participants from the
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United States, with a mean age of seventy years, of whom seventy-one percent were women.
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The findings are based on cross-sectional data, so while they provide valuable insights, they
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cannot establish causality.
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However, they underscore the importance of maintaining brain health as a potential
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strategy for mitigating the effects of Alzheimer's pathology.
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A recent study by Statistics Canada has highlighted the regions in Canada with the
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highest rates of breast cancer.
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According to the data collected between 2010 and 2020, rural areas in Quebec, Ontario, and
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the Prairies, along with certain urban centers that have large immigrant and racialized
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populations, have been identified as having the highest risks for breast cancer.
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In contrast, the rates are notably lower in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, as well as in
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northern and remote regions that have younger populations and are part of larger metropolitan
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areas.
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The study underscores that although the incidence and mortality rates of breast cancer
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have decreased over the past decade, these national averages can obscure significant
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variability based on factors like age, socioeconomic status, and geography.
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Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer and is the second leading
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cause of cancer-related deaths among females in Canada.
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It's estimated that in 2024, around 30,500 females will be diagnosed with breast cancer,
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and 5,500 will die from it.
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Statistics Canada reports that one in eight Canadian females are expected to develop breast
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cancer in their lifetime, and one in thirty-six will die from it.
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Though breast cancer in males is rare, making up less than one percent of all cases, the
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probability for females to survive at least five years post-diagnosis is about 89 percent.
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Kimberly Carson, the Chief Executive Officer of Breast Cancer Canada, points out that the lack
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of mammogram technologies and access in certain regions contributes to higher breast cancer
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rates.
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She notes that in many communities, mammograms are not readily available, leading to delays in
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detection.
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Some areas rely on mobile mammogram machines that visit periodically, or individuals must
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travel long distances to access these services.
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Brandon Purcell, advocacy manager of prevention at the Canadian Cancer Society, emphasizes the
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absence of national guidelines for breast cancer treatment in Canada.
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This lack of standardized guidance can lead to disparities in how breast cancer is addressed
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compared to other cancers such as colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer.
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Purcell highlights the importance of reflecting the latest scientific evidence in cancer
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guidance to ensure effective treatment protocols.
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The study also revealed variations in the average age of breast cancer diagnosis across
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Canada.
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The national average age of diagnosis is 62.7 years, but this age is significantly lower in
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regions such as Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and Alberta, compared to Ontario.
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Purcell attributes this to complex factors, including resource shortages that affect early
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detection and diagnosis capabilities.
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Over the study period, the age-standardized mortality rate due to breast cancer was 28.3
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females per 100,000 each year.
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Carson believes that this rate could be reduced with more widespread availability of screening
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tools.
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She stresses the importance of catching breast cancer early, as early detection significantly
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improves treatment outcomes.
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An April 2026 Canadian Medical Association Journal study projects that breast cancer will
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continue to be one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers, accounting for a significant
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portion of cancer deaths in Canada.
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Most Canadian provinces and territories, except Quebec, have lowered the minimum age for
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mammogram eligibility from 45 to 40 years, a move Purcell describes as crucial for early
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detection.
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In Alberta, the government's recent decision to lower the screening age to 40 means that more
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residents will soon have access to publicly funded mammograms.
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This change is expected to make 193,000 more Albertans eligible for screening, reflecting a
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proactive approach to increasing early detection and improving survival rates.
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Carson advocates for nationwide preventative screening starting at age 40, allowing
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individuals to self-refer for mammography.
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She argues that this would lead to earlier detection, less invasive treatments, and better
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patient outcomes.
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This kind of preventative measure, Carson asserts, is essential for reducing the burden
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of breast cancer across Canada.
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Our final segment today is about a story that resonated deeply with sports fans around the
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world.
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It's about Malaysian badminton legend Lee Chong Wei, whose health battle became a pivotal
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moment not just in his career, but in the world of badminton.
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Lee Chong Wei, a three-time Olympic silver medalist and former world number one, shocked
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the badminton community when he announced in 2018 that he had been diagnosed with
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early-stage nose cancer.
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His diagnosis came at a time when he was at the peak of his career, having inspired countless
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fans with his agility and sportsmanship on the court.
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The news of his illness was met with an outpouring of support from fans and fellow
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athletes worldwide.
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Lee underwent intensive treatment, which included chemotherapy and proton therapy, a
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type of radiation that targets tumors with precision while minimizing damage to
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surrounding tissues.
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Despite the challenges posed by his treatment, Lee made an impressive recovery and even
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returned to training in hopes of competing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
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However, after careful consideration and consultation with his doctors, he decided to
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retire in June 2019, prioritizing his health and family over the sport he loved.
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Lee's decision to step away from competitive badminton was a significant moment in the
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sport, as he was not only a remarkable player but also a role model and ambassador for
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badminton globally.
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His journey through illness and recovery highlighted the importance of health awareness
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and early detection, inspiring many to prioritize their well-being.
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Lee has since become an advocate for cancer awareness, using his platform to encourage
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others to pay attention to their health and seek medical advice if they notice any unusual
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symptoms.
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His story serves as a powerful reminder that even the fittest athletes are not immune to
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health challenges, and it underscores the resilience and determination required to
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overcome them.
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As we conclude today's episode, I hope you've found our discussions insightful and
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empowering.
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From the intriguing rise of head spas in the United States to the critical importance of
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brain health and the ongoing battle against diseases like breast cancer and Lyme disease,
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it's clear that health is a multifaceted journey that affects us all in different ways.
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Thank you for joining me today on Morning Medical with Dr.
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Chow.
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Stay informed, stay healthy, and I look forward to bringing you more fascinating medical
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insights in our next episode.
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Until then, take care.