Former U.S. president Joe Biden's advanced prostate cancer has raised some questions, like how it could have gone undiagnosed for so long, and what the future holds. Dr. Laurence Klotz, chief of urology at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, explains how prostate cancer is diagnosed, why some forms are more aggressive than others, and the extensive array of treatments available.

For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.

We think of varicose veins as something that happens mostly to older people. It turns out the slow-moving condition usually begins at a much younger age. Dr. Varun Kapila is a vascular surgeon and president of the Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery. He says there are a few lifestyle factors that can reduce the chances of getting varicose veins — or at least slow their progression.

For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.

Seasonal allergy sufferers who've noticed their symptoms getting worse aren't imagining things. Due mostly to the effects of climate change, but also urban planning, seasonal allergies are more intense. Dr. Anne Ellis, chair of the division of allergy and immunology at Queen's University, explains why you're suffering more, and that allergy treatments are offering new hope.

For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.

A new miracle cure-all has been making the rounds on social media, promising that people who take methylene blue can improve their mood and cognition. Some TikTok videos even suggest the synthetic dye could be used to treat cancer. Joe Schwarcz, director of McGill's Office for Science and Society, explains there’s little evidence to suggest methylene blue is useful outside of very specific circumstances.

For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently spoke of an autism "epidemic" when he announced "a massive testing and research effort" to investigate potential causes. But as developmental pediatrician Dr. Melanie Penner explains, the rise in diagnoses reflects broader recognition of the signs and symptoms, rather than increased prevalence. And that, she says, means more people are getting the help they need.

For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.

Whole-body deodorants are the latest fad designed to mask our scent, but not everyone agrees that body odour is a bad thing. Sarah Everts, Carleton University associate professor and author of The Joy of Sweat: The Strange Science of Perspiration, explains why we smell, why we should pause before applying whole-body deodorant, and why we should chill a little when it comes to BO.

For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.

Much of the federal election campaign’s focus has been on the U.S. But health care is always on the minds of Canadians. So what are the federal government’s responsibilities when it comes to health care — especially when 6.5 million Canadians don't have a family doctor or a nurse practitioner? Amélie Quesnel-Vallée explains. She's a McGill professor and Canada Research Chair in Policies and Health Inequalities.

For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.

A third of Canadians have at least one tattoo, but it's not without risk. While uncommon, tattoos can cause allergies and infections. Some studies have also found an association between tattoo ink and cancer. McGill University dermatologist Dr. Elena Netchiporouk explains how tattoos can cause an allergic reaction, and could potentially increase the risk of certain cancers, though more research is needed.

For transcripts of The Dose, please visit: lnk.to/dose-transcripts. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. For more episodes of this podcast, click this link.