Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / Heart Disease Risks, Palliative Care Demand, and Youth Vaping Trends in Canada

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Heart Disease Risks, Palliative Care Demand, and Youth Vaping Trends in Canada · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

• 0:00
  Hello and welcome to Morning Medical with Dr.
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  Chow, where we bring you the latest in medical and health news from around the globe.
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  I'm your host, Chi-Ming Chow, and today we're diving into some pressing issues that affect
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  not just our patients, but our communities at large.
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  Let's get started with a concerning update from the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
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  The Heart and Stroke Foundation has raised alarms about an increased risk of heart disease
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  among Canadians.
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  There are a variety of factors contributing to this risk, including stress, smoking, and diet.
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  It's a multifaceted issue that's not only about what we put into our bodies, but also the
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  lifestyles we lead.
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  One of the troubling trends noted is the declining consumption of fruits and vegetables
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  across the country.
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  These are vital components of a heart-healthy diet, and their reduction can have significant
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  impacts on cardiovascular health.
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  In addition to this dietary change, there's been a notable rise in tobacco use, especially
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  among younger populations.
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  The growing popularity of vaping products has contributed to this increase, posing new
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  challenges for public health efforts.
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  This report from the Heart and Stroke Foundation highlights the need for enhanced
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  public health strategies to address these risks.
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  It's crucial for both individuals and communities to be aware of these issues and
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  take proactive steps towards healthier living.
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  Whether it's through improved dietary choices, stress reduction techniques, or smoking
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  cessation programs, there's a lot we can do to mitigate these risks.
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  As healthcare providers and educators, we need to continue advocating for these changes and
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  supporting our patients in making healthier choices.
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  The path to better heart health is a shared journey, one that requires commitment from all
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  of us.
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  Let's keep this conversation going and work together towards a healthier future.
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  Today, we're exploring a deeply personal and touching story that highlights the vital role
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  hospices play in end-of-life care.
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  Paul Thomas, a resident of Wales, shares his experience of moving into St.
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  Kentigern Hospice in St.
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  Asaph for end-of-life care.
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  Prior to this, Paul was struggling alone at home, but he found that his pain and worries
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  were better managed at the hospice.
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  "I think everybody worries when they come to the last stages," he said, "no-one knows what
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  to expect, but these people are wonderful at relaxing you and they help you an awful lot."
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  Hospice UK has raised concerns about the sustainability of current funding models for
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  hospice services, which are crucial for many in their final days.
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  Despite the Welsh government's substantial increase in investment over the current Senedd
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  term, nine out of the fourteen hospices in Wales are facing a financial deficit in the
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  upcoming years.
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  This has already led to the closure of one hospice and the temporary shutdown of another
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  due to increased running costs and funding difficulties.
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  Paul Thomas, who is 58 years old and from Flint, describes how his life became "a lot
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  less painful" and how many of his worries were "taken away" by the staff caring for him.
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  He recounts the simple yet profound comforts provided by the hospice, such as being asked
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  what he wanted to eat and receiving a delicious chicken curry and Eton mess, which allowed him
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  to sleep soundly for about 16 hours.
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  "It brings me a lot more comfort, a lot more serenity and they discuss things with you in a
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  more sedate and gentle way," he explained.
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  The hospice environment allowed Paul to enjoy the company of friends, who were able to visit
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  him in a quiet and peaceful setting—a stark contrast to the often stressful and clinical
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  atmosphere of a hospital.
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  "It was quite quiet and peaceful.
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  A bit of laughter, but not too much because it's not the time to laugh now, is it?" he
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  shared.
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  Paul emphasized how the staff went out of their way to make him feel comfortable and safe,
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  which he described as very important during this period.
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  In Wales, hospices support around 20,000 adults and children with terminal illnesses each year.
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  Despite having 95 inpatient beds, some may not be in use due to funding and staffing issues.
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  About 60% of hospice services are delivered in the community, underscoring the importance of
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  these services beyond inpatient care.
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  The charity representing hospices in Wales is calling for urgent action from the Welsh
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  government and health leaders to protect these essential services by updating the funding
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  model.
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  John Owen shared a heartfelt story of his wife, Rowena, who spent her last days in St.
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  Kentigern Hospice.
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  Diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2024, Rowena was described by John as an amazing
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  person who loved life.
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  John expressed his gratitude for the hospice's care, which allowed them to focus on Rowena's
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  loving needs.
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  They were even able to bring their two cats to the hospice, providing Rowena the comfort of
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  their presence in her final days.
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  John also mentioned the installation of a cuddle bed, which allowed him to stay with
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  Rowena around the clock.
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  "It was such a comfort to both of us because it meant I could stay with Rowena 24/7 - which I
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  did for 12 days," he said.
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  The experience was incredibly sad and challenging, but the hospice staff made it as
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  comforting as possible.
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  John is now fundraising for another cuddle bed so others can benefit from the same comfort.
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  The hospice care environment is notably calmer than hospitals, providing a more serene setting
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  for end-of-life care.
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  John highlighted the importance of adequate funding for these services, noting the sad
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  reality that they're not funded enough despite their vital role.
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  Liz Booyse, chair of Hospices Cymru, pointed out that on average, only 30% of hospice
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  funding comes from the Welsh government and the National Health Service, with the remaining 70%
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  reliant on charitable donations.
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  With the prediction that 25% more people will need palliative and end-of-life care over the
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  next 25 years, there's an urgent need for a sustainable financial plan.
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  The Welsh government has acknowledged the contribution hospices make and is working on a
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  new commissioning approach to ensure fair access and sustainability.
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  Political parties in Wales have also weighed in, suggesting various reforms and funding
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  strategies to bolster hospice care.
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  In conclusion, hospices provide invaluable support to patients and their families during
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  one of life's most challenging times.
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  The stories of Paul Thomas and John Owen remind us of the compassion and care that hospices
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  offer, making a significant difference in the quality of end-of-life care.
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  It's crucial that we advocate for sustainable funding and policies that ensure these services
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  continue to be available for those in need.
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  Almost forty percent of cancers worldwide are linked to modifiable risk factors, according to
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  a comprehensive study published in Nature Medicine.
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  This significant finding underscores the potential to prevent a substantial number of
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  cancer cases through lifestyle and environmental changes.
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  The study, supported by the World Health Organization and the International Agency for
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  Research on Cancer, highlights that smoking, infections, and alcohol consumption are the
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  three leading preventable causes of cancer globally.
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  The data from 2022 reveals that of the 18.7 million new cancer cases, approximately 37.8%
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  were attributable to thirty modifiable factors.
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  Notably, these factors accounted for 29.7% of cancers in women and a staggering 45.4% in men.
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  The variation in cancer rates associated with these factors also varied by geography, with
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  some regions showing as high as 38.2% for women and 57.2% for men.
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  Smoking, infections, and alcohol consumption collectively account for 28.5% of the global
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  cancer burden.
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  Specific types of cancer, such as lung, stomach, and cervical cancers, are
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  predominantly linked to smoking, Helicobacter pylori infection, and human papillomavirus
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  infection, respectively.
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  In men, liver and colorectal cancers are also significant, with high body mass index joining
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  smoking and alcohol as major contributors.
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  The report emphasizes the importance of tailored prevention strategies, as the
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  prevalence of these risk factors and the types of cancer they cause vary significantly across
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  different regions and between sexes.
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  For instance, smoking is the leading preventable cause for men in 126 out of 185
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  countries studied, while infections are the primary concern for women in 141 countries.
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  Andre Ilbawi, from the World Health Organization, highlighted the humanistic aspect
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  of these findings.
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  While a cancer diagnosis can be life-altering, the outcomes vary greatly depending on access
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  to healthcare and innovations.
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  For some, survival rates are improving, yet for many others, cancer still represents a dire
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  prognosis, often exacerbated by social and financial challenges.
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  The study also points out that investing in cancer prevention delivers wide-ranging
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  benefits, not only reducing cancer incidence but also alleviating the burden on health
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  systems from other diseases linked to these risk factors.
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  It's crucial that communication about these risk factors focuses on risk reduction rather
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  than blame, as guilt and blame can harm mental health and delay care.
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  Farhad Islami from the American Cancer Society noted that the proportion of cancers linked to
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  a high body mass index is notably higher in North America compared to global averages.
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  This highlights the need for region-specific prevention strategies, as the prevalence of
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  risk factors like obesity and infections can vary significantly.
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  The findings reinforce the need for effective cancer prevention strategies globally, which
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  require sustained political commitment and investment tailored to the specific risk
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  profiles of populations.
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  By addressing these modifiable risk factors, we can significantly reduce the cancer burden
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  worldwide.
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  In a recent report, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada has highlighted that a
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  staggering eighty percent of premature heart disease and strokes could be prevented through
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  healthier lifestyle choices and effective management of medical conditions.
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  This report serves as a critical reminder of the power of prevention in combating these
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  leading causes of death in Canada.
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  Currently, more than six million Canadians are living with heart disease or stroke, and about
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  one in five deaths in Canada is attributed to these conditions.
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  That's roughly a death every seven minutes.
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  The report underscores the importance of addressing modifiable risk factors such as
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  diet, physical activity, and stress management to reduce these numbers.
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  The report points out that while smoking rates have declined, challenges remain in other
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  areas.
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  For instance, almost eight in ten adults and youth in Canada consume fruits and vegetables
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  fewer than five times a day.
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  This is concerning because regular consumption of these foods is linked to better
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  cardiovascular health.
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  High blood pressure remains a significant risk factor, with over eight million Canadian adults
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  diagnosed.
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  The report suggests that managing hypertension and diabetes, along with adopting a balanced
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  diet and regular physical activity, can significantly lower the risk of heart disease
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  and stroke.
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  The report also calls attention to the high rates of youth vaping in Canada, which is among
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  the highest in the world.
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  Vaping is not without risks, and addressing this issue is vital for long-term health
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  outcomes.
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  To encourage healthier habits, the report recommends strategies similar to those used in
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  anti-smoking campaigns, such as increasing taxes on unhealthy products and enhancing
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  education in schools about nutrition and physical activity.
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  It's not just about individual efforts.
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  Community initiatives, like free five-kilometer runs organized by groups such as Parkrun, can
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  foster a sense of community and make physical activity more appealing.
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  These grassroots efforts are powerful in promoting healthier lifestyles.
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  The Heart and Stroke Foundation urges individuals to know their risks, take
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  prescribed medications, stay active, eat a balanced diet, and manage stress.
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  These steps, combined with public health policies and community support, can
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  significantly reduce the burden of heart disease and stroke.
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  As we wrap up this episode, it's clear that prevention is key.
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  By focusing on modifiable risk factors and supporting healthier lifestyle choices, we can
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  make a significant impact on heart disease and stroke rates.
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  Let's continue to prioritize our health and support efforts that promote well-being in our
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  communities.
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  Thank you for tuning in to Morning Medical with Dr.
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  Chow.
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  Stay healthy and informed, and join us again tomorrow for more insights into the world of
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  medicine and health.
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  Until then, take care.