This Medical Life

Episodes

• 
  Episode 113: Early Onset Colorectal Cancer (EOCRC) 02.11.2026 1h 13m

  Early onset colorectal cancer is rising in people under 50. Hear a patient, a colorectal surgeon and a GI pathologist on symptoms and referral.
• 
  Episode 112: Pleomorphic Adenoma | Mixed Tumours 19.10.2026 32m

  Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common parotid tumour. ENT surgeon Dr Rowan Valentine covers assessment, red flags and surgery in Episode 112.
• 
  Episode 111: 2026 Early Prostate Cancer Detection | PSA And mpMRI 05.10.2026 52m

  Professor Ken Sikaris explains the 2026 Australian prostate cancer early detection guidelines: new PSA thresholds by age, MRI's role and why free PSA is gone.
• 
  Episode 110: Narcolepsy | Fighting The Sleep Demon 21.09.2026 1h 7m

  A patient with 200 sleep attacks a day helped define narcolepsy in 1880. Di Spillaine and Professor Robert Adams on symptoms, diagnosis and treatment today.
• 
  Episode 109: Sexual Harassment In Medicine | Dr Louise Stone 14.09.2026 1h 6m

  Dr Louise Stone on a decade of research into sexual harassment in medicine, why it persists, and what actually helps a colleague or trainee.
• 
  Episode 108: Alzheimer’s Disease | Auguste Deter’s Decline 31.08.2026 1h 6m

  A 1901 case first identified Alzheimer's disease. Dr Daniel Clarke and Dr Gemma Daley on today's presentation, workup and new blood biomarker tests.
• 
  Episode 107: Bone Sarcomas Part 2 | Ewing And Coley’s Legacy 17.08.2026 50m

  This is the story of Bone Sarcoma Part 2. Find Part 1 here.
• 
  Episode 106: Bone Sarcoma Part 1 | Osteosarcoma, Chondrosaroma & Ewing Sarcoma 03.08.2026 57m

  Bone sarcomas are rare, accounting for 0.2% of all cancer diagnoses, with around 200 cases diagnosed in Australia each year. The three main types differ by age and site: osteosarcoma (around 30 to 35% of cases, often in the arms, legs and pelvis, with peaks in adolescence and again in the seventies and eighties), chondrosarcoma (around 30% of cases, typically in adults over 40), and Ewing sarcoma (around 15% of cases, most common in children). Professor Fiona Maclean, an anatomical pathologist, describes bone sarcoma diagnosis as a pattern-recognition challenge made harder by rarity, noting that tumour type and stage are the two most useful pieces of information for a GP reading a pathology report. A/Professor Richard Boyle, an orthopaedic oncological surgeon, outlines the red flags, including unexplained deep bone pain and night pain, and the diagnostic pathway from X-ray through biopsy to multidisciplinary review. This is the story of Bone Sarcoma Part 1. Useful links: Australia and New Zealand Sarcoma Association: https://sarcoma.org.au/ Find a sarcoma specialist: https://sarcoma.org.au/pages/about-sarcoma/find-a-sarcoma-specialist Sarcoma guidelines: https://sarcoma.org.au/pages/sarcoma-guidelines Seeking a second opinion: https://sarcoma.org.au/pages/about-sarcoma/seeking-second-opinion Useful patient information: https://sarcoma.org.au/pages/about-sarcoma/patient-and-carer-sarcoma-information Our Special Guests: A/Professor Richard Boyle who is a Sydney-based orthopaedic oncological surgeon and head of the NSW Sarcoma unit. Professor Fiona Maclean who is an anatomical pathologist and professor from Macquarie University. Listen: This Medical Life podcast is available on all podcasting services and Spotify. Members of the RACGP are able to log the hours as CPD (Education) that they listen to the episodes under self record via Quick log. We invite you to help support us on our donation page.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Episode 105: Soft Tissue Sarcoma Part 2 | Adjuvant Therapies 20.07.2026 1h

  The treatment of soft tissue sarcomas is a highly specialised area. The first effective chemotherapy agent against sarcomas was only identified in the 1960s and benefits of adjuvant radiotherapy treatment began in the 1970s. We continue to learn as new agents become available and tailor treatments to each patient. This is the story of Soft Tissue Sarcoma (Part 2). Here is the link to Part 1. Useful links: Australia and New Zealand Sarcoma Association: https://sarcoma.org.au/ Find a sarcoma specialist: https://sarcoma.org.au/pages/about-sarcoma/find-a-sarcoma-specialist Sarcoma guidelines: https://sarcoma.org.au/pages/sarcoma-guidelines Seeking a second opinion: https://sarcoma.org.au/pages/about-sarcoma/seeking-second-opinion Useful patient information: https://sarcoma.org.au/pages/about-sarcoma/patient-and-carer-sarcoma-information Article from the RCPA about reviewing soft tissue tumours and obtaining second opinions: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41390329/ Our Special Guests: Professor Peter Grimison who is a medical oncologist at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and clinical professor at University of Sydney Associate Professor Stephen Thompson is a radiation oncologist at Prince of Wales hospital and conjoint associate professor at the University of New South Wales The treatment of soft tissue sarcomas is a highly specialised area. The first effective chemotherapy agent against sarcomas was only identified in the 1960s and benefits of adjuvant radiotherapy treatment began in the 1970s. We continue to learn as new agents become available and tailor treatments to each patient. This is the story of Soft Tissue Sarcoma (Part 2). Here is the link to Part 1. Useful links: Australia and New Zealand Sarcoma Association: https://sarcoma.org.au/ Find a sarcoma specialist: https://sarcoma.org.au/pages/about-sarcoma/find-a-sarcoma-specialist Sarcoma guidelines: https://sarcoma.org.au/pages/sarcoma-guidelines Seeking a second opinion: https://sarcoma.org.au/pages/about-sarcoma/seeking-second-opinion Useful patient information: https://sarcoma.org.au/pages/about-sarcoma/patient-and-carer-sarcoma-information Article from the RCPA about reviewing soft tissue tumours and obtaining second opinions: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41390329/ Our Special Guests: Professor Peter Grimison who is a medical oncologist at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and clinical professor at University of Sydney Associate Professor Stephen Thompson is a radiation oncologist at Prince of Wales hospital and conjoint associate professor at the University of New South Wales Listen: This Medical Life podcast is available on all podcasting services and Spotify. Members of the RACGP are able to log the hours as CPD (Education) that they listen to the episodes under self record via Quick log. We invite you to help support us on our donation page.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Episode 104: Soft Tissue Sarcoma Part 1 | Avoiding The Whoops Lesion 06.07.2026 1h 21m

  Soft tissue sarcomas are tumours that arise from connective tissue, fat, muscle, and blood vessels. They are distinct from epithelial malignancies (carcinomas) in both morphology and behaviour. Unfortunately, due to their rare occurrence, these tumours can be mistaken clinically and pathologically which affects patients management and prognosis. As part of sarcoma awareness month, we are doing a series on soft tissue sarcomas as well as bone sarcoma in conjunction with the Australian & New Zealand Sarcoma Association to raise awareness and help provide education about these diagnoses. This is the story of soft tissue sarcoma (part 1). Useful links: Australia and New Zealand Sarcoma Association: https://sarcoma.org.au/ Find a sarcoma specialist: https://sarcoma.org.au/pages/about-sarcoma/find-a-sarcoma-specialist Sarcoma guidelines: https://sarcoma.org.au/pages/sarcoma-guidelines Seeking a second opinion: https://sarcoma.org.au/pages/about-sarcoma/seeking-second-opinion Useful patient information: https://sarcoma.org.au/pages/about-sarcoma/patient-and-carer-sarcoma-information Article from the RCPA about reviewing soft tissue tumours and obtaining second opinions: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41390329/ Our Special Guests: Associate Professor Richard Boyle who is an orthopaedic oncologist and surgeon who specialises in the bone and soft tissue sarcoma. Professor Fiona Maclean is an anatomical pathologist who specialises in soft tissue pathology and clinical professor at Macquarie University. Listen: This Medical Life podcast is available on all podcasting services and Spotify. Members of the RACGP are able to log the hours as CPD (Education) that they listen to the episodes under self record via Quick log. We invite you to help support us on our donation page.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Episode 103: Clinical ethics | Eternal conundrums 29.06.2026 45m

  Ethics, codes of conduct, and challenging decisions are universal constants in medicine. Difficult situations and trying to do the right thing are not always obvious particularly when these decisions involve lots of emotions, family members, and have life and death implications. Ethics, and ethics committees, can help to provide a clear and consensus path for clinicians, patients, and family members. We discuss the role ethics and ethics committees have in modern medicine with our special guest. This is the story of clinical ethics. Useful links: Free critical thinking course through UQ school of philosophy Clinical Ethics Society of Australasia – Great organisation focusing on clinical ethics, with affordable membership and lots of access to resources. They run an excellent ‘ethics intensive’ and yearly symposium as well as other masterclasses throughout the year. Australasian Association of Bioethics and Health Law – Major organisation for ethics and health law. Excellent conference each year. Links to Dr Melanie Jansen’s poetry Instragram: @drmelaniejansen_poetry Dr Melanie Jansen’s debut poetry collection, All That Could Be Lost, is available online from 5 Islands Press and at independent bookstores. Our Special Guest: Dr Melanie Jansen who is a clinical ethicist and paediatric intensive care consultant Listen: This Medical Life podcast is available on all podcasting services and Spotify. Members of the RACGP are able to log the hours as CPD (Education) that they listen to the episodes under self record via Quick log. We invite you to help support us on our donation page.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Episode 102: Lipoprotein (a) | Genetic Cholesterol 08.06.2026 38m

  Lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) was discovered in 1963 by a Norwegian geneticist by the name of Kåre Berg who studied particles that carried cholesterol in the blood. He found some patients had an additional protein on the low-density lipoprotein. Studies found that patients with elevated Lp(a) had increased risks of cardiovascular disease. However, the levels were not affected by diet, environmental factors, or medications. The result is that this test was largely ignored for the last few decades. Recent dyslipidaemia guidelines released by the United States and Europe have returned a focus back on to Lp(a). They recommend that patients should have Lp(a) tested once throughout their life to assess their cardiovascular disease risk. The result can help identify which patients are at a higher risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and who will benefit from lifestyle modification and early intervention. This resource is referenced during the discussion: https://www.lpaclinicalguidance.com/ This is the story of lipoprotein (a). Our Special Guests: Dr Michael Page is a chemical pathologist at Clinipath in Perth, senior lecturer at the UWA Medical School, and immediate past President of the AMA (WA). Listen: This Medical Life podcast is available on all podcasting services and Spotify. Members of the RACGP are able to log the hours as CPD (Education) that they listen to the episodes under self record via Quick log. We invite you to help support us on our donation page.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Episode 101: Psoriasis | Skin, Immunity, And The Marks We Carry 18.05.2026 1h 8m

  Skin has always told stories. For thousands of years, those whose skin behaved differently — scaling, thickening, inflaming — were feared, isolated, and misunderstood. Psoriasis was long lumped together with leprosy, its sufferers cast out rather than cared for. It would take centuries before medicine began to separate these conditions, and longer still before we understood what was really happening beneath the surface. Psoriasis is not an infection, not a curse, not a failure of hygiene. It is the immune system turning on itself, a complex, chronic inflammatory disease that affects not just skin but joints, confidence, and quality of life. It touches roughly 2-3% of the population, and for many it is a lifelong companion. Today we have a clinical dermatologist and a dermatopathologist to help us understand what psoriasis looks like to the clinician, what it reveals under the microscope, and how our understanding of its immunological roots has transformed the way we treat it. This is the story of psoriasis. Our Special Guests: Associate Professor Laura Scardamaglia, a Consultant Dermatologist, a Fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatology, and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne. Dr Grace Liu is an Anatomical Pathologist with Histopath in Sydney, Australia. Listen: This Medical Life podcast is available on all podcasting services and Spotify. Help support us on our donation page.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Episode 100: The Artful Dodger | James McNamara 04.05.2026 1h 6m

  Discover the medical research underpinning The Artful Dodger with its creator and writer, James McNamara
• 
  Episode 99: Graves’ Disease | Hyperthyroidism & Thyrotoxicosis 20.04.2026 1h 7m

  The complex symptomatology of hormonal diseases only started to be recognised in the 19th century as we learned about anatomy and physiology. When Doctor Robert Graves began piecing the hyperthyroid puzzle together when he saw patients with similar symptoms such as anxiousness, nervousness, aggitation, bulging eyes, and rapid/irregular heart rate. He realised this was a previously unknown condition to the medical field. It would not be until the mid-20th century before we had a full understanding of the thyroid and thyroid diseases. Today, we have tests to diagnose and medications to manage. Graves’ disease accounts for 70-80% of all cases of hyperthyroidism. This is the story of Graves’ Disease. Our Guests: Dr Liam Mulcahy who is studying physicians training with a strong interest in neurology. He was written a book called Beyond the White Coat: The Faces Behind Medical Eponyms. Professor Duncan Topliss who is a senior endocrinologist at Alfred Hospital in Melbourne and Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine, Monash University. Listen: This Medical Life podcast is available on all podcasting services and Spotify. Help support us on our donation page.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Episode 98: Statin Dosage | Finding The Sweet Spot 06.04.2026 31m

  It has been well established in studies and articles that cholesterol lowering medications have significant heart morbidity and mortality benefits. However, high dosage trials did not show additional survival benefits but had increasing side-effects for patients. Therefore, the maximum dose for statins is not necessarily the best dose for patients. This is the story of statin dosing. Guest: Professor Simon Dimmitt is a Consultant Physician working in General and Cardiovascular Medicine. He is Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Western Australia and Adjunct Professor, School of Medicine & Public Health at the University of Newcastle. His website contains Dose Tables and reviews for a modest subscription: Correct Dosing. Listen: This Medical Life podcast is available on all podcasting services and Spotify. Help support us on our donation page.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Episode 97: Crucifixion | Ancient Rome & State Sanctioned Execution 02.04.2026 38m

  Crucifixion was a form of punishment, humiliation, and execution. Adopted by the Ancient Romans, crucifixion was used on the State’s worst criminals on lower classes and slaves. As common as it was though, we know very little about how people died on the cross. In this episode, we take a closer look at crucifixion through a medical lens. This image is not historically accurate. It was crafted within the guidelines of Gemini as a stereotypical rendering of crucifixion but our episode gets into the, sadly more brutal, truth. This is the story of crucifixion. Listen: This Medical Life podcast is available on all podcasting services and Spotify. Help support us on our donation page.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Episode 96: Steroids & Testosterone (Part 2) | Anabolic Steroids 23.03.2026 1h 49m

  Recreational use of steroids and testosterone to enhance image and performance is on the rise. Over the last 70 years, testosterone and testosterone-like substances have been used extensively to enhance performance particularly in elite sports. Nowadays, the use is more widespread and occurs in the general community with far more drugs available to people via the internet. Unfortunately, the evidence users base their drug regimes on range from anecdotal and scant to wrong and dangerous. We discuss the use of testosterone (and other substances) to learn more, identify how we can look after patients who use anabolic steroids, and what risk factors we need to consider. This is the story of anabolic steroids. You can listen to Part One of this series here. Our special guests: Dr Tim Piatkowski is a senior research fellow at the University of Queensland on image and performance enhancing drugs. Dr Mair Underwood is a senior lecturer in the School of Social Sciences at the University of Queensland and is an anthropologist of the body. Professor Ken Sikaris is a chemical pathologist and Director of chemical pathology at Dorevitch pathology. Listen: This Medical Life podcast is available on all podcasting services and Spotify. Help support us on our donation page.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Episode 95: Steroids & Testosterone (Part 1) | Male Hypogonadism 10.03.2026 54m

  Hypogonadism is a medical condition where the body does not produce enough testosterone. This can be primary (testicular failure) or secondary (pituitary or other condition). There are a number of conditions that doctors need to be aware of that can cause hypogonadism. This is the story of hypogonadism. Image ref: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/hypogonadotropic-hypogonadism Our special guests: Professor Duncan Topliss is a senior endocrinologist and Professor of Medicine at Monash University. Professor Ken Sikaris is a chemical pathologist and Director of chemical pathology at Dorevitch pathology. Listen: This Medical Life podcast is available on all podcasting services and Spotify. Help support us on our donation page.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Episode 94: Testicular Cancer | Check Deez Nuts 23.02.2026 1h 18m

  While testicular cancer is rare, it is the most common cancer in young men aged between 15 and 39 years. Like with every cancer, early detection is the key. Self-examination is important along with seeking medical attention if there are any concerns. Fortunately, overall survival is around 95%. This is the story of testicular cancer. Our special guests: Dr Nari Ahmadi who is a Urologist and coordinator of the Urological Oncology Cancer research at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse. Professor Peter Grimison who is a Medical Oncologist at the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, VMO at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, and Clinical Professor at the University of Sydney. Professor Fiona Maclean who an Anatomical Pathologist, Clinical Professor at Macquarie University, and previous President of the Australasian Division of the International Academy of Pathology (IAP). Listen: This Medical Life podcast is available on all podcasting services and Spotify. Help support us on our donation page.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.