The incidence of infectious syphilis (i.e., primary, secondary, early latent) has increased nearly fivefold from 2010 to 2015 in BC, and is projected to further increase in 2016 (Figure 1). Men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by infectious syphilis. In the first half of 2016 over 86% of men diagnosed with syphilis identified as MSM.

hidden

References

In June 2016 the BC Cancer Agency released updated recommendations for cervical cancer screening.[1] The age to initiate cervical cancer screening has increased to 25 years, and the routine screening interval has increased from 2 to 3 years. This is consistent with changes being made globally in response to clinical evidence demonstrating that screening in younger women is ineffective and is an unnecessary burden on health care systems.

hidden

References

Case data

After alcohol, marijuana is the most frequently detected drug in crash-involved drivers. The Canadian government has indicated its intention to legalize marijuana for recreational use in 2017, and while many Canadians support this initiative some American studies indicate that marijuana legalization may adversely impact road safety. Since 2012 a growing number of American states have legalized the use of marijuana for recreational or medical and therapeutic use.

hidden

References

Dr Lawrence was born in Toronto and received his MD from the University of Toronto in 1965. He met his wife, Lynn, who was a gynecological nurse at Royal Victoria Hospital, while he was interning there, and they married in 1967. January 2017 would have been their golden anniversary.