Valley 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.

03/08/2026

🌷 Happy International Women’s Day 🌷

Today we celebrate the incredible women in our community and around the world. Mothers, daughters, sisters, and caregivers who support, lead, heal, advocate, and lift others up; today we celebrate you.

Happy International Women’s Day from all of us at Valley Healthcare.

03/07/2026

Chemical Spill

Preliminary testing has detected traces of sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, and chromium that could be harmful. The chromium spill was approximately 1000 litres over approximately 14 km in total.

Those affected could be anyone who may have driven eastbound or westbound on the Vanier Highway / Trans-Canada Highway between Fredericton and Oromocto or driven on Vanier Industrial Drive, between Thursday, March 5 to Friday, March 6, at 4 p.m.

Public Health precautions:

Public Health advises those who may have driven in the affected areas to take these precautions:

• Avoid touching any visible residue on vehicles or other outdoor surfaces.

• Keep children and pets away from any areas where residue may be present.

• Wash hands thoroughly for 15 minutes with soap and water after touching your vehicle or other potentially affected surfaces.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth after contact with potentially affected surfaces until hands have been washed.

• If the substance comes into contact with skin or eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of clean water for 15 minutes.

Anyone experiencing persistent skin, eye, or respiratory irritation, or other symptoms after contact, should seek medical advice, or call Tele-Care 811. If you have not come in direct contact and are not experiencing symptoms, no action is required.

Environmental monitoring and next steps:

An environmental consultant is on site to assess any impacts on the surrounding environment. Testing and sampling are underway, and results will be shared with the public as soon as they are available.

Further updates on this situation, including road conditions, health recommendations, and recommendations for cleaning vehicles will be provided as cleanup and monitoring continue.

gnb.ca/HazardWatch

03/02/2026

🎗 March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month 🎗

If you’re over 50 and haven’t completed a FIT test in the last 2 years, you may be due.
Colorectal cancer is highly treatable when caught early.

🔬Why Screening Matters

• Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death in Canada.
• It is often silent in early stages.
• When detected early, the 5-year survival rate is >90%.
• Most cases begin as precancerous polyps, which can be removed before becoming cancer

Colon cancer often develops without symptoms, which is why screening is so important.

✅ How Screening Works

Small growths (polyps) in the colon can bleed in tiny amounts you can’t see. The F***l Immunochemical Test (FIT) is a simple at-home test that checks for hidden blood in your stool.

In New Brunswick:
• Adults age 50–74 at average risk are invited by mail every 2 years to complete a FIT.
• If the FIT is positive, a colonoscopy is arranged to look more closely and remove any polyps.
• If normal, you repeat screening in 2 years.

⚠ Do NOT use the FIT if you have symptoms such as:
• Visible blood in stool
• Persistent change in bowel habits
• Unexplained weight loss
• Ongoing abdominal pain

If you have symptoms, book an appointment with your primary care provider.

🏥 Need a Test Kit or Not Sure What’s Right for You?

If you:
• Haven’t received a screening invitation
• Are unsure whether you’re average or higher risk
• Have a family history of colon cancer
• Want to discuss screening options

📞 Contact Valley Healthcare and we’ll help guide you.
We can provide a requisition and test kit if appropriate, or arrange further assessment.

📍 317 River Valley Dr., Grand Bay-Westfield, NB E5K 1A8
📞 506-305-8569
📠 506-799-4424
🌐 www.valleyhealthcare.ca
📧 info@healthclinicnear.me

Early detection saves lives. If you’re over 50, make sure you’re up to date.