The Doc Talk Podcast

HPV is common. Cancer is not inevitable. 
In this episode, we break down Human Papillomavirus (HPV), what it actually means if your test is positive, and how vaccination and screening can prevent most HPV-related cancers.

About 75–80% of sexually active people will be exposed to HPV at some point. Most infections clear on their own. But certain high-risk strains can persist and increase cancer risk over time.

In Canada, approximately 1,550 people are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year and about 400 die annually (Canadian Cancer Society). Almost all cases are linked to HPV and are largely preventable.

In this episode, we cover:
What HPV is (and isn’t)
What happens after a positive test
Who should get the vaccine and whether it’s ever too late
Changes to cervical cancer screening in Canada
We also clear up common myths and explain how to move from panic to prevention.

If you’ve ever received an HPV-positive result and worried, this one’s for you. 
Thank you to our sponsor, FIGS.
If you work in health care (or love someone who does), you know how important comfort and function are. Use code FIGSDOCTALK for 20% off your first order at wearfigs.com. 
Disclaimer
A reminder that The Doc Talk is for general information purposes only. This podcast is not intended to replace medical advice from your doctor. While we are doctors, we are not your doctor. Always speak to your own healthcare provider for questions related to your personal health needs. 
Follow us on social media @thedoctalkpod and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen to podcasts.

Feeding kids has become one of the most overwhelming parts of parenting. In this episode, we cut through the noise on starting solids, picky eating, supplements, and the growing confusion around sugar and ultra-processed foods. 
We’re joined by Registered Dietitian Nita Sharda (Happy Healthy Eaters) to break down what the evidence actually says and how to apply it in real life.
What we cover:
Baby-led weaning vs spoon-feeding
What it is, what the evidence shows, and how to approach it safely
Starting solids
Nutritional priorities in early feeding and practical first food guidance
Safe introduction of common allergens including peanut, egg and dairy
Iron and vitamin D
When supplementation is needed vs food-based approaches
Signs kids may not be meeting requirements
Picky eating
What’s developmentally normal vs concerning
Strategies to reduce mealtime stress and support variety
How to think about “enough” intake and growth
Nutrition misinformation
Common myths circulating online and how to identify credible sources
Added sugar
What the evidence says about timing and amounts in childhood
Ultra-processed foods
What they are, why they matter and how to approach them realistically
Guest:
Nita Sharda, Registered Dietitian and co-founder of Happy Healthy Eaters, shares practical, evidence-based strategies to support family nutrition.
Connect with Nita:
Instagram: @nita_sharda
Instagram: @happyhealthyeaters
Thank you to our sponsor, FIGS.
If you work in health care (or love someone who does), you know how important comfort and function are. Use code FIGSDOCTALK for 20% off your first order at wearfigs.com. 
Disclaimer
A reminder that The Doc Talk is for general information purposes only. This podcast is not intended to replace medical advice from your doctor. While we are doctors, we are not your doctor. Always speak to your own healthcare provider for questions related to your personal health needs. 
Follow us on social media @thedoctalkpod and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen to podcasts.

For International Women’s Day, we’re tackling a difficult but important question: are women’s symptoms being dismissed in healthcare?
Research shows that women experience higher rates of missed and delayed diagnoses for several major conditions. Women under 55 are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed during a heart attack. Endometriosis takes an average of 7–10 years to diagnose. And women account for roughly 75–80% of autoimmune disease cases, often after years of unexplained symptoms.
So what’s going on?
In this episode, we break down the data behind women’s health inequities, why these patterns occur and how system pressures, research gaps and cognitive bias can contribute to women feeling unheard in medical settings.
We also talk about the broader consequences of this trust gap, why it matters for the future of Canadian healthcare and how clinicians, patients and policymakers can help move the system forward.
This episode is not about blaming individual doctors. It’s about understanding patterns, rebuilding trust and asking what needs to change so women’s symptoms are taken seriously.
In this episode we discuss:
• Why cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in women
• The long road to diagnosis for conditions like endometriosis and autoimmune disease
• How research history has shaped modern medicine
• System pressures in Canadian healthcare that affect complex diagnoses
• The role of cognitive bias in clinical decision-making
• Why women may feel dismissed in medical encounters
• Practical ways patients can advocate for themselves
• What clinicians and health systems can do to improve trust and outcomes
Thank you to our sponsor, FIGS.
If you work in health care (or love someone who does), you know how important comfort and function are. Use code FIGSDOCTALK for 20% off your first order at wearfigs.com. 
Disclaimer
A reminder that The Doc Talk is for general information purposes only. This podcast is not intended to replace medical advice from your doctor. While we are doctors, we are not your doctor. Always speak to your own healthcare provider for questions related to your personal health needs. 
Follow us on social media @thedoctalkpod and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen to podcasts.

Travel is exciting. Getting sick on vacation is not. In this episode, we walk through what Canadians should think about before heading out of the country, and even within it. From vaccines and malaria prevention to travel insurance, food and water safety and emergency planning, this is your practical guide to staying safe while you explore.
We focus on what actually matters, where to find reliable information and how to prepare without overcomplicating it.
In This Episode, we cover:
Why travel health planning should start weeks before departure
How to check if you need travel vaccines
What to know about malaria prevention
Why travel insurance is not optional outside Canada
What to bring in a basic travel health kit
Food and water precautions abroad
What symptoms should prompt medical attention
How to prepare for emergencies in another country
What Canadians should know about healthcare coverage between provinces
Preparation does not take the fun out of travel. It protects! 
Thank you to our sponsor, FIGS.
If you work in health care (or love someone who does), you know how important comfort and function are. Use code FIGSDOCTALK for 20% off your first order at wearfigs.com. 
Disclaimer:
This podcast is for general information only and does not replace medical advice from your own health care provider. 
Follow us on social media @thedoctalkpod and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen to podcasts.

In light of Heart Month, The Doc Talk Podcast is dropping a special re-release of our episode on heart health.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in Canada.
In this episode of The Doc Talk Podcast, we dive into what heart disease can look like in women, how it’s too often overlooked, and what you can do to protect yourself and those you love.
We kick off with a listener question from Kellie, who asks:
“What does the research say about how heart disease shows up differently in women—and how can we advocate for ourselves when screenings don’t tell the whole story?”
It’s a crucial question—because heart disease often does look different in women, and the healthcare system isn’t always set up to recognize that. In this episode, we break down how to recognize symptoms, what tests can (and can’t) show, and the steps you can take to protect your heart.
In this episode, we cover:
What heart disease really is and why women are underdiagnosed
How the symptoms of heart attacks and strokes differ in women
Why perimenopause and menopause increase risk—and what to do about it
The gender gap in medical research and its impact on heart health
Advocacy tips for navigating the ER and pushing for follow-up care
What “knowing your numbers” actually means (and when to start checking them)
 Dr. Shaz and Dr. Sheila share personal insights, ER stories, and a practical “Prescription for Heart Health” that’s rooted in prevention and empowerment.
Key Takeaways:
Symptoms of heart attack in women can be subtle: nausea, fatigue, dizziness
Many risk factors—like high blood pressure, smoking, or inactivity—are preventable
Menopause plays a key role in heart risk due to hormonal changes
Speak up in healthcare settings—your story matters
Screening starts at 40, earlier if you have risk factors or family history
 If this episode helped you see heart health in a new light, please share it—it might just save a life. Missed our perimenopause episode? Go back and check out Episode 2 for more on how hormonal changes affect heart and brain health.
Follow us on Instagram @thedoctalkpod!
Have a question for our docs? Send us a message—we might feature it in an upcoming episode!
Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information purposes only and is not a substitute for personal medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare provider for recommendations specific to your health.