THE MEDICAL NEWS

Stress is a constant companion in the oncologist's office. It appears at the time of diagnosis, increases with each stage of treatment, and often does not resolve even after therapy formally ends. It accompanies therapeutic decisions, waiting for test results, fear of recurrence, and changes in daily functioning. Studies show that chronic stress can trigger biological processes that promote disease progression and weaken the body's defenses.

Technological innovation has always driven surgical progress, and AI now represents the next transformative wave. Machine learning models are now being developed to predict surgical risks, assist in diagnosing rare congenital disorders, analyze imaging data, and anticipate postoperative complications. Risk prediction tools have already shifted from traditional statistical methods to more complex machine learning approaches, improving their ability to account for nonlinear interactions.

Microscopic sensors that are as thin as a strand of hair but capable of taking multiple measurements simultaneously could revolutionize the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases like cancer.

A made-in-Calgary 4D heart model is transforming treatment for heart failure patients having a specialized pacemaker inserted, called cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).