The Question: I had my mammogram done last year. I also registered for a breast-screening program at a hospital. My aunt, who is my mama’s sister...
Personal Health Navigator
Paul Taylor retired from his role as Sunnybrook’s Patient Navigation Advisor in 2020. From 2013 to 2020, he wrote a regular column in which he provided advice and answered questions from patients and their families. Follow Paul on Twitter @epaultaylor
Three years out of cancer treatment, a patient seeks medical records
I had radiation and chemo at Sunnybrook three years ago. I want my medical records from the cancer treatment and I am not sure how to go about this.
Diagnosed with Cancer and Waiting for Pathology
I was told that the pathology report could take up to four weeks after the operation to stage my cancer? Is this correct?
When Cancer Spreads and Standard Therapy No Longer Works
The Question: My wife has colon cancer that has metastasized to her liver. She has been receiving cancer treatments in Winnipeg since June 2012. I...
Pulmonary embolism and chest pain
Is my chest pain related to pulmonary embolism?
Failed shoulder surgery and how to get it fixed
My wife had shoulder surgery more than two years ago. The surgery did not help because my wife is still experiencing severe pain intermittently. Help.
What Should I Do if My Father’s Cancer Treatment Doesn’t Work, a Patient Asks
The Question: My father has been diagnosed with lymphoma and has begun treatment with one round of chemotherapy so far and several medications. I was...
Three Walk-In Clinics, No Family Doctor and One Patient with Abdominal Pain
The Question: Late one afternoon, my sister, who is in her 30s, started having bad stomach pains. She decided to wait it out a little. But, the pain...
Suspicious Skin Lesions and Melanoma
The Question: I suspect I have acral melanoma on my foot and I want an excision biopsy done. Most family practitioners are unaware of what it is, and...
Blood Clots and Blacking Out Spells: Are They Related?
The Question: I am a 66-year-old male in good physical condition with great annual check-up results and not on any medication. Yet, 7 months ago, I...