Champlain Screening Outreach, For Those With No Family Doctor

Champlain Screening Outreach

Do you reside in Eastern Ontario and have no family doctor? My GP retired in 2021 and I have not yet (2.5 years later) been able to find a new family doctor. I came across the services of the Champlain Screening Outreach program recently during my search for medical help.

What is the Champlain Screening Outreach Program?

Through the Ottawa Hospital, the Champlain Screening Outreach offers support to those living in Eastern Ontario who are eligible for OHIP but are currently without a family physician (GP). If you are eligible, a nurse practitioner can book you an appointment to be screened for colorectal, breast, lung, and cervical cancers at provincial screening centers already in place. Screening for these cancers leads to early detection which in turn creates better survival rates.

Screening results are shared through the Ottawa Hospital’s My Chart online program or by phone.

The Champlain Screening Outreach Program does not offer diagnostic workups, blood work, or urgent care services. Walk-in clinics do offer these services, although they often require a long wait.

Once a patient of this program subsequently finds a family doctor, they will no longer be eligible for the screening outreach program. You will also risk being removed from the program if you do not show up for your scheduled appointments.

Screening Procedures and Symptoms

While screening for colorectal, breast, lung, and cervical cancers is very important, it cannot prevent these diseases. What screening can do is detect the cancers before symptoms appear meaning at an early stage. The earlier they are detected, the better the prognosis (chance of survival).

Colorectal/bowel/large intestine Cancer

To clarify, the term colorectal refers to the combination of the colon and rectum. Since the colon is also referred to as the large bowel or large intestine, colon cancer is also known as bowel cancer. The rectum connects the colon to the anus.

Colorectal screening consists of a fecal occult blood (FOB) test which can detect blood generated in either the colon or rectum. Occult means hidden although sometimes the blood is visible in bowel movements. The FOB test cannot however indicate the cause of the blood, just whether it is present or absent. This lab test is packaged in a small kit available through your GP or Champlain Screening Outreach. You perform the simple test in your home by placing a small sample of your poop on a stick, sealing and labeling the package, and mailing the kit back to a lab for testing.

Colorectal or bowel cancer symptoms include unexplained weight loss, change in bowel habits, constant abdominal pain, or visible blood in stools.

Breast Cancer

Screening for breast cancer starts with a mammogram, which is simply an x-ray of the breast. Clients considered to be high risk (have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer) may also be screened with an MRI which uses radio waves and magnets.

Self-examination is also recommended as a screen for breast cancer. This is something all women should do at home; simply feel your breasts for lumps, changes in size, and even painful areas on a regular basis. Any changes should be reported to a doctor. A nurse or doctor can also perform this type of examination during routine checkups. Although self-examination is important, it is not as effective at screening as regular mammograms.

Lung Cancer

Screening for lung cancer in eligible clients involves low-dose computed tomography (LDCT), which is a CT scan using a lower dose (than regular CT scans) of radiation. This screening is performed once a year for three consecutive years.

Lung cancer symptoms include shortness of breath, unexplained constant fatigue or weight loss, chronic (won’t go away) coughing or wheezing, or coughing up blood.

Cervical Cancer

Screening for cervical cancer is performed through regular pap smears/tests. The cervix is the anterior (outermost or closest to the front) area of the uterus, at the top of the vagina. The Pap smear, named after its creator George Papanicolaou, is a lab test where cells scraped from a client’s cervix are examined microscopically for changes that may indicate cancer.

While early stages of cervical cancer generally exhibit no symptoms, later stages may result in heavy bleeding, loss of appetite, leg, back, or pelvic pain, fatigue, unexplained bone fractures, and more.

Are You Eligible for Screening?

Conclusions

With our once esteemed Canadian healthcare system currently in a critical state, the Champlain Screening Outreach program is a proactive approach. Created recently (July 2023) this program offers some help to those searching for medical care. Hopefully, other provinces and regions offer or will soon develop similar services.

If you are in the predicament of not having a family physician and would like to continue or begin screening for the cancers above through the Champlain Screening Outreach program, check out the site online or call Sarah Junkin at 833-551-4125.

Coconut Oil: What it Can do for You

coconut oil benefits

Coconut oil has many benefits, some well-known, some not so much. For example,  I have read about its wonders in the weight management/diet category recently, but further research revealed lots of other great reasons to include it in my diet.

Medium Chain Fatty Acids in Coconut Oil

This amazing oil contains healthy saturated fat and three medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) called capric, caprylic and lauric acid.  Instead of being stored as fat upon ingestion, MCFAs are processed by the liver immediately forming ketones which supply energy. This makes it very popular in keto dieting.

Ongoing Research on Coconut Oil

As a matter of fact, research is hopeful that energy from ketones can actually help repair brain function in Alzheimer patients whose brains have lost ability to produce energy producing insulin. 

Also interesting and hopeful is the theory that energy produced by ketones cannot be used by glucose dependent tumors in cancer patients.

Another bonus is the fact that MCFAs in coconut oil also exhibit anti-fungal, anti-microbial, analgesic (painkilling), and antioxidant properties.  Basically these properties are beneficial in the treatment and prevention of many health issues including:

  • stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis, digestion problems
  • urinary tract and yeast infections
  • kidney stones
  • arthritis
  • skin problems like eczema, rashes, psoriasis, cradle cap, dandruff, dermatitis, burns
  • high blood pressure and heart disease
  • tooth decay and gum disease (see oil pulling below)
  • liver damage
  • thinning hair or hair loss
  • osteoporosis.  coconut oil reduces bone loss and increases bone volume
  • type II diabetes
  • anti-aging and hormone balance
  • weight loss, losing body fat, building muscle, improving energy and endurance
  • low milk production in breastfeeding moms

Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is a simple detoxification procedure used in the treatment and prevention of tooth decay and gum disease. It involves swishing a tablespoon of oil in your mouth for 20 minutes before spitting it out.

Coconut Oil: What it Can do for You

Replace Sugar in Your Diet

A simple way to add coconut oil to your daily routine is to replace the sugar in your diet with the oil. This substitution is especially beneficial when you are fighting a cold or infection.

Remember, sugar is your enemy!  It enhances and encourages the growth of bad bacteria, viruses, fungus, and even parasites. Instead, shut down these troublemakers by using coconut oil instead of sugar.

Coconut Oil: What it Can do for You

Presently I add coconut oil to my coffee every morning and bake with it as well. My favourite butter chicken recipe calls for it too.

In conclusion, buy some of this amazing product and try it. Then be sure to let me know what you think.

Chiropractic Care: Is it For You?

Fix and Prevent Mixed Messages to Your Nervous System

Recently I have been seeking chiropractic care for various (un)health(y) symptoms. I’ve shared with you here a recent scoliosis diagnosis, as well as TMJ and arthritic hip joints.

This is the time of year when my gardening season is winding down and I have more time to reflect, and I take the time to care for my physical well-being. With a recommendation from my son who is happy with the treatments he has been receiving there, I turned to Hazeldean Family Chiropractic.

How Can Chiropractic Care Help You?

We seek to find the cause and correct the root of the problem, not just mask the symptoms. Chiropractors are experienced in the function of the spine and nervous system. Our approach, focusing on your overall health, will allow you to function better with less pain and more enjoyment of life.

Hazeldean Family Chiropractic

An added bonus of receiving their chiropractic care is a subscription to the blog that Hazeldean Family Chiropractic provides. As my own blog also features posts on health and wellness, I find the tidbits of advice in their blog very informative and relevant to my lifestyle.

Here is the great advice within the most recent email I received:

You have an amazing healing power in your brain and spinal cord. THOUGHTS (emotional stresses), TRAUMAS (physical stresses), and TOXINS (environmental stresses) can affect that healing power… the 3 T’s. In order to maximize your healing potential, we have to make sure that we address all these stresses…

Thoughts: If you have no control on the outcome of a situation, you must release it.

Traumas: Children slip and fall; it’s an unfortunate part of growing up and playing full-out! Keep an eye out for any recurring pain or pain that does not subside quickly. Remember, symptoms are an indication that something is not right.  Correcting it early will definitely help for a quicker recovery and to prevent any future problems.

Toxins: Studies have shown that diets which are high in carbohydrates have been linked to diseases like Alzheimer’s, macular degeneration, gout and cancer. Lowering your carbohydrate intake isn’t just good for your waistline, it can also have a direct beneficial effect on the prevention of malignant diseases.

New Patient Special

Chiropractic Care:  How it Can Work for You

What are you waiting for? If you live in this area, give them a call to reserve your spot. Contact info is as follows:

Hazeldean Family Chiropractic Clinic.

8 – 484 Hazeldean Road. Kanata, ON K2L 1V4.

T: (613) 831-9665.

If you live elsewhere, do your research, get recommendations, and go for a consult.

I have only received two adjustments in my chiropractic care regime so far, am looking forward to reaping the benefits over the next several weeks. Not just the physical adjustments, but the health advice and relevant exercises too.

Have any of you had experience with chiropractic care?