News Alerts:

We strongly recommend getting the flu shot every October or November to prevent influenza and its serious complications. Those at most risk are children and adults (including pregnant women) with chronic medical conditions, such as cancer, cardiac disorders, asthma, and morbid obesity (people with a body mass index greater than 40); residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities; people 65 years of age and older; healthy children 6 months to 5 years of age; aboriginal peoples; and healthy pregnant women, at any stage of pregnancy. Please call our office to book an appointment for your flu shot.

Cervical cancer screening is recommended every three years for all women starting at age 21 who are or ever have been sexually active, if they have never had an abnormal Pap test. Sexual activity includes intercourse, as well as digital or oral sexual activity involving the genital area with a partner of either gender. Women, who are not sexually active by 21 years of age, should delay cervical cancer screening until sexually active. Regardless of sexual history, there is no evidence to support screening women under 21 years of age. Based on the latest clinical evidence, cervical cancer screening every three years is effective. Pap tests can stop at age 70 in women who have had three or more normal tests in the prior 10 years.

However, if you have been treated for an abnormal Pap test in the past, these guidelines do not apply. Annual pap testing is still recommended for those treated for an abnormal test in the past. Please discuss with your physician if you are unsure about the screening interval which is best for you.

As part of our efforts to contain health costs, we will be offering annual health screening to all our healthy adults age 18-64. This may mean you will not require a complete head-to-toe examination with routine testing, although we will discuss your health concerns, health maintenance strategies, and offer proven cancer screening tests (in line with Cancer Care Ontario guidelines), as well as screen for cardiovascular disease if indicated. Healthy patients with no chronic disease may choose a longer screening interval than annually, in conjunction with their family physician. All patients with chronic disease and those 65 years old and older should have an annual exam. We strongly encourage those 50 to 64 years of age to have an annual or at minimum biannual health screening exam. 16 and 17 year olds should have a screening exam as well, especially those considering going off to college/university.

Ontario has added to the vaccine schedule for infants and children as well as adults. The new Rotavirus oral vaccine for infants between 6 and 24 weeks age, a second dose of chickenpox vaccine for children aged 1-11, and a whooping cough booster vaccine for adults age 19-64 is available. Please speak to us at your next office visit.

As of Nov. 1st, 2011, all Ontarians are required by law to provide identification to their health care provider in order to receive a prescription narcotic or controlled substance medication. You will need to provide the same identification to the pharmacist in order to pick up the medication.