1: Not Lichen These Odds 

A cohort study assessed if patients with lichen planus have an increased cancer risk. Amongst 35K patients, both females and males with lichen planus had increased risks of oral, cutaneous and genital cancers compared to the general public. Notably, oral lichen planus had an up to 14x increased risk of oral cancers and genital lichen planus was associated with an up to 24x risk of general cancer. These findings may help to guide long-term follow-up in this at-risk group. 

2: A Gamble with Mental Health 

A quasi-experimental study found that online sports betting legalization was associated with an increase in mental health care use. In over 62 million participants, legalization was associated with increased probability of SSRI use and outpatient diagnoses of depression and anxiety. These findings underscore the potential adverse health consequences of legalized online sports betting and the growing need for better prevention and treatment algorithms.

Sleep complaints during the menopause transition can be easy to explain away.

A patient may report fragmented sleep, fatigue, difficulty staying asleep or simply say that she no longer wakes feeling rested. In a busy primary care setting, these symptoms can reasonably appear alongside the many changes women experience through perimenopause and menopause.

But they can also be an opportunity to look more closely at sleep health.

Obstructive sleep apnea is often associated with familiar symptoms such as loud snoring and witnessed breathing pauses. Women, however, may present with symptoms that overlap with other health concerns, including fatigue, disrupted sleep, insomnia-like complaints and morning headaches.

That overlap matters because it can make an underlying sleep disorder less obvious.

Look beyond the nighttime complaint

The case for considering sleep becomes even stronger when other health concerns are present.

Sleep apnea and metabolic health can intersect, making sleep particularly relevant for patients living with, or at risk for, conditions such as type 2 diabetes. Rather than viewing sleep as an isolated lifestyle concern, physicians can consider it as part of the broader clinical picture.

For a woman experiencing menopause-related sleep changes, metabolic risk and persistent daytime fatigue, for example, asking a few additional questions about snoring, witnessed breathing pauses, morning headaches and restorative sleep may help identify whether further investigation is warranted.

The goal is not to assume that every sleep complaint is sleep apnea. It is to make sure sleep-disordered breathing isn't overlooked when the patient's symptoms and risk profile suggest that assessment may be appropriate.

Making sleep care easier to navigate

Once a sleep concern has been identified, patients often need help understanding what comes next.

Resolve Sleep Health supports Canadians across the sleep-care journey, from assessment through appropriate treatment and ongoing care.

For primary care providers, that means having a sleep-health partner to help patients move from “I’m always tired” toward understanding why their sleep may not be restorative and what can be done about it.

This Menopause Awareness Month, consider adding one more question to conversations about women's health:

How well is your patient actually sleeping?

1: 🏥 Albertans have voted against moving toward separation from Canada. In Monday's referendum, roughly 76% voted to remain in the country. The result follows an Alberta Medical Association survey of 1,649 physicians, which found that more than half would leave the province if it became independent, while just 15% said they'd stay. For Alberta doctors, that's one big unknown off the table now.

2: 🩺 Ontario is cutting some red tape for doctors looking to practise in the province. Under a new policy from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, eligible Canadian- and internationally-trained physicians can now qualify for provisional independent-practice registration without the MCCQE exam or LMCC designation. They'll still need to meet applicable certification and registration requirements, but the change could make the path to practising in Ontario a little less complicated. One less hurdle for doctors, and potentially more physicians for patients.

3: 🥣 Garbage in, garbage… stays in? A new McMaster-led study of over 8,700 Canadians has linked ultra-processed foods (UPFs) to vascular brain injury. Those who ate the most UPFs — nearly half their daily food servings — had 40% higher odds of MRI-detected injuries, including silent strokes and white matter abnormalities linked to dementia risk, than those who ate the least. And the “garbage out” part? Higher UPF consumption wasn’t significantly associated with cognitive performance. Whether junk food is actually the culprit — and whether these brain changes precede cognitive decline — remains unclear. Follow-up MRIs are underway, with results expected in 2028.

4: 📸 Your face may be revealing more than your age. Researchers at Mass General Brigham developed an AI model trained on more than 40 million facial images to estimate biological age and predict survival risk in cancer patients. Published in The Lancet Digital Health, the study found that patients in the highest predicted-risk group had more than triple the mortality risk of those in the lowest. Interestingly, the model focused heavily on features around the eyes and nose. It's not ready for clinical use, though, so don’t ask patients to submit selfies just yet.

Before you hand over a decade of patient records, ask:

And the question most physicians ask first: what happens to all the paper? We take all of it: active charts, inactive files, whatever is in the storage room , and digitize or store it, depending on what your practice needs.

Records Management answers the rest in writing before you commit: notification by mail and phone, patient calls on our line, every authorization verified, requests turned around in about a week. For family physicians, pediatricians, and other practices with comparable patient volumes, there is no cost for active patient charts.

🛳️ Travel and learn: What if your next CME experience included tropical islands, stunning coastlines, and a luxury cruise? From Dec. 3–19, join CMEatSEA for a 16-night voyage from Bali to Sydney. Earn up to 34 CME credits with expert-led sessions from Dr. Nicholas Leyland and Dr. David Finkelstein, all while exploring unforgettable destinations and connecting with fellow physicians. With only a few suites remaining, now's the time to book your spot.

Explore the itinerary & reserve your suite →

🍝 Cook: lasagna without the usual layering marathon. This clever shortcut swaps traditional noodles for a freezer-aisle favourite, cutting down the prep while keeping the comfort food appeal. See how the ravioli lasagna trick works.

🚗 Save: if an electric vehicle is on your radar. A deal making the rounds on RedFlagDeals has the Chevrolet Equinox EV listed for under $40,000 before taxes and fees. There are a few incentives involved, so the final price may vary, but it's worth a look if you're in the market for a new set of wheels.

👀 Watch: What working a 12-hour nightshift does to your brain…

We know Postcall is your chance to relax, catch up on the news and take 5 minutes out of your busy day. But every once in a while, we have to make sure y'all are still doctors. 😉 So, put down your coffee and dust off that medical knowledge. It's time for the quiz.

First clue: Attending, to a resident

Need a rematch? We’ve got you covered. Check out our Crossword Archive to find every puzzle we’ve ever made, all in one place.

Think you crushed it? Challenge your physician friends to beat your time.

Want to reach thousands of Canadian physicians every week? Email [email protected] to learn more.