Valley Healthcare

05/14/2026

can be seen at birth, but most appear during childhood, increase in adolescence, and can continue to increase in number until about age 40 years. Most moles are harmless, and these benign moles can grow as the child grows.

However, when moles change in certain ways, a dermatologist should evaluate and possibly monitor them, as they might develop into a type of skin cancer called . In general, melanomas are rare in children and are treatable if found early.

📄 This JAMA Pediatrics Patient Page describes moles in children, including when children should see a skin specialist for evaluation. https://ja.ma/4uBb8Fc

05/12/2026

☕Reminder for today, Monday, May 11☕

The The Town's Age-Friendly Committee has partnered with Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick to offer these free monthly programs for people living with dementia and their families to meet others, learn, and have fun.

🗓️Every second Monday of the month. The upcoming meeting is May 11, 2026.

📍Location: River Valley Room of the Community Centrum - 609 River Valley Drive, Grand Bay-Westfield (via back parking lot)

⏰Time: 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.

All are welcome.

ℹ️Visit the Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick event calendar for a listing of Memory Cafés: https://alzheimer.ca/nb/en/whats-happening/event-calendar

05/12/2026

Do adolescents’ stress levels and their ability to self-regulate relate to their short-form video use?

A recent study of high schoolers found that higher levels of perceived stress were associated with more problematic short-form video use. This association was partially explained by self-control/self-regulation, suggesting higher stress levels could reduce adolescents' ability to self-regulate, which could lead to higher use of short-form video sites. Parental active mediation and co-use of media was linked to increased self-control and less problematic short-form video use.

Read the abstract: https://bit.ly/4wo0hAf

05/12/2026

Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure and many don’t know it. Getting your blood pressure checked is the first step to protecting your heart and brain. Use this chart to see where your numbers fall and talk with your health care professional.

05/05/2026

Paying too much for prescriptions?

Check out the InnoviCares card.

It’s free, easy to sign up, and can help lower the cost of many common meds, even if you already have insurance.

Just show it at the pharmacy when you fill your prescription.

Simple, quick, and worth having…

Sign up for your free innoviCares® savings card today. Save on prescription medications, access partner brands, and enjoy affordable healthcare.

05/04/2026

04/30/2026

04/19/2026

Great news for men’s health in Saint John

Rezum therapy is now available locally as a minimally invasive treatment option for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Many of our patients deal with symptoms like frequent urination, getting up multiple times at night, weak stream, and the feeling of not fully emptying the bladder. These issues can have a real impact on day to day life.

Rezum uses water v***r therapy to reduce prostate tissue and improve symptoms without the need for major surgery and with minimal downtime.

It’s great to see more practical, less invasive treatment options becoming available in our community.

If you’ve been dealing with these symptoms, it’s worth bringing up at your provider.

04/15/2026

Good news and bad news in the latest Canadian Cancer Society cancer trends report. It shows overall cancer outcomes in Canada are improving, but those gains are largely happening in older populations who are eligible for screening. Meanwhile, a troubling trend is emerging: cancer rates are rising in Canadians under 50. That includes: breast, colorectal, testicular, and uterine cancers.

The causes are not fully understood. But we do know this: screening saves lives. And still, far too few women are getting screened. In Ontario alone, ~800,000 women in their 40s have not had a mammogram despite it being free, accessible and life saving. That’s not a patient failure. That’s an awareness failure.

Hello provincial governments!! We need ubiquitous public awareness campaigns and clear, consistent messaging so every woman understands why screening matters, when to start and how to access it.

Hello governments, med schools, and medical associations: We also need up to date physician education. Too many women in their 40s are still being discouraged from screening by physicians. They are not aware that the evidence shows the benefits far outweigh any harms.

And what about women in their 20s and 30s?
You may be “too young” for routine screening but you are not too young to be proactive.

1. Know your risk. Use the Tyrer-Cuzick risk calculator. Talk to your provider by age 25–30. Some women should start screening earlier based on family history or risk level.

2. Be breast aware. Know what’s normal for you. Any change? Get it checked and insist on imaging.

3. Make healthy choices. Stay active, eat well, limit alcohol, avoid smoking.
Evidence shows up to 50% of breast cancers may be preventable.

4. Advocate for yourself. If something feels off, don’t be dismissed. No doctor has X-ray vision. Imaging matters.

We cannot ignore rising cancer rates in younger people. We need action
from governments, from physicians, and from all of us. Early detection only works if people know and act. Please help spread the word that screening saves lives.