Healthcare Heroes

Rosanna Peeling grew interested in women’s health while studying medical microbiology at the University of Manitoba. After conducting research on chlamydia for her PhD, sexually transmitted diseases and their effects on women’s health became some of her lifelong interests. Working a high-profile job at the Canadian National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg some years later, she caught the attention of the World Health Organization (WHO), which asked her to come to its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland to lead a global program on diagnostics for sexually transmitted diseases.

“It came out of the blue,” recalls Peeling, while sitting in her kitchen during a trip home to Winnipeg. “I was happy to do it. It was the opportunity to do something on a global scale. Working on that scale really gives you a sense of all of the unmet needs that are still out there and of the inequities in health.”

While at the WHO, Peeling wore numerous hats, including but not limited to, those of manager of the Sexually Transmitted Diseases Diagnostics Initiative and coordinator of diagnostic research, and focused much of her attention on the many women in developing countries who do not have access to proper testing.

Her work piqued the interest of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), which produces a successful television documentary series called Kill or Cure about diseases of the developing world. The BBC followed Peeling to Haiti to examine new testing methods for syphilis, the cause of millions of newborn deaths around the world due to lack of testing women for the disease.

“It’s almost unthinkable, in this day and age, to have this many babies die,” says Peeling. “Women and children bear a disproportionate amount of the disease burden, and we have to do something about it. Slowly, things are changing. We need more leadership and more role models.”

After spending nine years at the WHO, Peeling made a move to the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine earlier this year, where she was offered a prestigious professorship and the position of Chair of Diagnostics Research. There, she will draw from her experiences and apply her knowledge to the study of STDs as well as tropical diseases like malaria and tuberculosis. She also remains involved with the WHO, sitting on its committees and collaborating on research projects to improve global health.

And though her job in London will keep her busy, Peeling plans to continue to commute to Winnipeg as often as her schedule will allow. However, coming home not does necessarily equal relaxation. While in town, she meets with researchers at the University of Manitoba and the National Microbiology Laboratory. Winnipeg has a wealth of expertise and experience in mosquito-borne infections and infectious diseases. She also has a faculty appointment at the University of Manitoba.

Peeling downplays her many accomplishments. “For most people my age, my career has been fairly short!” she laughs. “I was just going to stay home with my children after earning my master’s degree. But it is possible to raise children and then have a career. I think it is easier now than ever before.”

She cites the Women’s Health Research Foundation of Canada, which is based out of Winnipeg, as a huge help in lobbying funding agencies for more equity in research funding for women’s health and for opportunities to allow women to return to their careers in science after raising their children. “I was very lucky to have benefited from the efforts of those women (at the foundation),” she says.

Peeling also credits her husband and children for allowing her to maintain such flexibility with her work. “They are so supportive and understanding of everything,” she says. “And they understand if dinner is late because of an experiment!”

Dr. April Boyd performs bi-pass surgery at the Health Sciences Centre.

Fellow Winnipeg doctor April Boyd shares the same passion for her job. Like Peeling, Boyd entered her field—cardiovascular physiology—largely because of her research interests. “It just kind of naturally led me in the direction of a surgical career,” says Boyd, who has been working as a vascular surgeon at the Health Sciences Centre (HSC), and occasionally at St. Boniface Hospital, since 2006.

Originally from Kingston, Ontario and educated at the University of Toronto, Boyd made the decision to come to Winnipeg with her family a few years ago, a move that she says was a no-brainer. “I had no intention of staying in Toronto, and Winnipeg is essentially the birthplace of vascular surgery in Canada,” she explains.

Boyd’s enthusiasm for her profession is obvious. “It is literally life and death, and it is an amazing feeling to be able to stop (death) from happening,” she says. “I can’t even tell you how rewarding it is.” In many of the cases she faces on a daily basis, the patients would not make it out of the hospital without her help.

Dr. Boyd counts the relationships she forms with her patients among her favourite parts of the job. “After experiencing a serious trauma together, there is a special bond there,” she says, recalling one woman who nearly died after being stabbed in the neck, going on to make a full recovery. Boyd received several cards from the patient, who had to re-learn how to write during her recovery. “Those are the cases that stand out as hugely rewarding,” she says.

With her job, Boyd can also continue to pursue her research interests. “I have an interest in women’s vascular health, because there are significant differences in how women and men develop vascular diseases,” she says. “My male colleagues are also fascinated by it, as we are just beginning to recognize the differences between the sexes.” Interestingly, very few women practice vascular surgery, a fact that Boyd admits baffles her. “I really don’t know why more women don’t practice it,” she says.

Even with her erratic work schedule, Boyd manages to balance work and family time. She can often be found at the hockey rink or soccer field with her children, and she fits in a run every day to maintain her own health. Like Peeling, she credits her husband and children for being incredibly supportive when she has to work late or odd hours. “The kids are great that way,” she says.

Despite the accomplishments between them and the fact that their work has saved countless lives, Boyd and Peeling both remain modest, their love of their jobs outweighing the long hours and often-hectic pace. “I really can’t imagine doing anything other than what I’m doing right now,” says Boyd.

Healthwatch

By Amie Lesyk

Much of life is learned through trial and error, from learning to manage your finances to raising the kids, but that is definitely not the route we want to take when it comes to our health. It can be hard to know what to look out for, and when we should start looking, but early detection is key for a handful of serious diseases and conditions that affect women. Keeping informed on how and when these issues can affect you may save your life.

SKIN CANCER
While we all appreciate a sunny dose of Vitamin D and the glow of a nice tan (some maybe more than others), the threat of skin cancer is huge. In fact, the number of skin cancer cases in Manitoba has increased by 66 per cent since 1990, a stat that can’t be ignored. This is because of the deterioration of the ozone in the last couple decades. As you can imagine, the UV index is bound to be on the high side as we venture forward into the future. Skin cancer affects young and old but if you tend to burn often, or if skin cancer runs in the family, your risk is increased.

The upside is that most skin cancer can be cured if caught early enough. Essentially you need to be in tune with the birthmarks and moles on your skin in order to watch out for the disease. According to the Canadian Cancer Society you should look for changes in the colour, shape, size or surface of current birthmarks or moles. Also, new pale growths and skin irritations that won’t heal should be seen by a doctor. As tricky as it might be, make sure not to overlook hard to see areas such as your back.

BREAST CANCER
Possibly the most well known disease women face today is breast cancer. We’ve all heard stories about even the healthiest of women being affected, but there are a few risk factors that up your chance of developing the disease. The list, which can be found the on the Canadian Cancer Society website (an amazing resource), includes having breast cancer in the family or giving birth for the first time after the age of 30.

It’s recommended you get to know your breasts, and we’re talking the whole area. From the collarbone down and under your armpit, make yourself familiar with how the area feels so that if and when changes do happen (aside from changes that come with age and during your period), you may be able to notice it. Breast cancer occurs less often for women between the ages of 20 and 39. About only 4 per cent of new breast cancer cases are within this age range.

While regular clinical examinations are suggested for women between 40 and 49, mammograms for this age category have yet to be made standard. “Talk to your doctor about your risk category,” says Linda Venus, senior director of public affairs and cancer control with the Manitoba Division of the Canadian Cancer Society. “There are women in higher risk categories…who may start mammography at age 40.” Mammograms are recommended for women over the age of 50.

OSTEOPOROSIS
Sipping on Starbucks may make our mornings more tolerable, but we need to watch that we’re not depleting our bones of calcium. Excessive caffeine is one of many risk factors that may contribute to osteoporosis. Being over 65, having medical conditions that hinder nutrient absorption or entering menopause before the age of 45 are big indicators you could be at risk.

On a day-to-day basis ensuring your calcium and Vitamin D intake, whether by food or supplements (check with a doctor first), keeping caffeine and liquor to a minimum, exercising and maintaining a healthy body weight, are ways to keep your risk down.

“The risk of osteoporosis can be reduced with diet and lifestyle changes,” says Janet Choboter, executive director of the Manitoba Chapter of Osteoporosis Canada.
Often osteoporosis is detected long after damage is done. Bone mass deteriorates over time and can result in a fracture, which is often how women find out the bad news. It’s never too soon to start reducing your risk when it comes to osteoporosis.

HEART DISEASE
Heart Disease is another huge health concern for women, but there are lots of simple steps you can take everyday to help cut down your risk. Being active, maintaining a healthy body weight and keeping stress at bay are ways to help your heart. Excessive alcohol, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are hard on your heart and contribute to your chance of heart disease. Women are particularly at risk for reasons
such as changes in estrogen (which helps protect the heart). When estrogen drops during menopause, women are more at risk for heart disease. Also some women experience pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes during pregnancy, which can put them more at risk.

CERVICAL CANCER
The stats today say about 75 per cent of sexually active men and women will have at least one human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in their lifetime. Why should this concern you? Because HPV is the most common cause of cervical cancer. Condoms do not entirely protect you from HPV and other factors that up your risk of this disease are smoking, using birth control pills for a long period of time or having a weakened immune system. Screening for cervical cancer is done during your normal Pap smear (which should be done every one to three years). Pap smears do have a purpose, as uncomfortable as those stirrups are, and you shouldn’t be avoiding those appointments.

While we can’t control everything that may put as at risk, like our family’s medical history, it’s important at any age to appreciate and take care of your body. If you can make improvements in even a couple of areas, say by quitting smoking or eating healthier, your are a little bit closer to being in charge of your health.

Check out www.cancer.ca, www.heartandstroke.mb.ca and www.osteoporosis.ca for more information.