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Hormone Therapy After Risk-Reducing Surgery in BRCA Carriers: Why are we still arguing about this?
There are topics in medicine where the data evolve slowly and cautiously. And then there are topics where the data have been sitting, quite patiently, waiting for us to catch up.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after risk-reducing oophorectomy in BRCA mutation carriers falls squarely into the latter category.
The evidence is not new. It is not particularly controversial. And yet, the clinical hesitation persists, and patients are being negatively impacted.

Dr. Brenda Tapp Leonard, ND
Apr 203 min read


Why Sharing Your Cancer Diagnosis Could Protect Your Family’s Health
We tend to treat a cancer diagnosis as deeply personal information. And emotionally, that’s fair. Clinically, it isn’t. It’s family risk data. And when that information is withheld, often out of kindness, it quietly removes someone else’s opportunity for earlier detection, better surveillance, and in some cases, prevention entirely.

Dr. Brenda Tapp Leonard, ND
Apr 134 min read


Newsletter April 2026: Can Gardening Support Your Health? Here's What The Studies Say!
Have you started your seedlings yet? I’ll admit I’m a little behind schedule this year.
Gardening at our house in Millbrook has been… aspirational. The soil isn’t ideal for backyard gardens, or at
If you spend any amount of time on social media, you know that there is no shortage of people running commentary on how you should live your life, structure your day, spend your time and money, what you should believe in, and what is and is not “acceptable” based on their op
PCNM
Apr 63 min read


Navigating Midlife Weight Gain & Metabolic Changes
Weight changes in midlife can feel sudden, confusing, and often frustrating, especially when nothing about your routine seems to have changed. Many women find that the strategies that once worked no longer have the same impact, and weight begins to shift, particularly around the abdomen. Understanding these changes is the first step toward supporting your body in a way that is both effective and sustainable.

Dr. Nicole Edgar, ND
Mar 263 min read


When Headlines Get It Wrong: A Closer Look at a Study on Complementary Medicine and Breast Cancer Survival
A recent study published in JAMA on March 2, 2026 has been circulating through the media with a headline suggesting that the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in breast cancer is associated with worse survival. Headlines like this can cause significant concern for patients and families who are exploring ways to support their health during cancer treatment. However, when we look more carefully at how the study was designed, several concerns emerge that make t

Dr. Brenda Tapp Leonard, ND
Mar 94 min read


Newsletter March 2026: Living REALLY Well Is About More Than Just Your Health
Dr. Tapp's Thought's
If you spend any amount of time on social media, you know that there is no shortage of people running commentary on how you should live your life, structure your day, spend your time and money, what you should believe in, and what is and is not “acceptable” based on their opinion and worldview.

Dr. Brenda Tapp Leonard, ND
Mar 23 min read


Nutrition and Breast Cancer: What Actually Supports Prevention?
The research on diet and breast cancer doesn’t point to miracle foods. It points to ongoing dietary patterns, metabolic health, and long-term habits that influence inflammation, insulin signalling, and estrogen metabolism.
Let’s review what we actually know.

Shavonne Wood, RD
Feb 263 min read


Struggling to Maintain or Gain Weight During Cancer Treatment? You’re Not Failing, Your Body Is Asking for Support.
Weight loss during cancer treatment is common, distressing, and often misunderstood. Many patients are told to “just eat more,” yet find that advice deeply unhelpful when appetite is low, digestion feels off, or food simply doesn’t taste the way it used to.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and there are evidence-based strategies that can help.

Dr. Brenda Tapp Leonard, ND
Feb 94 min read


Newsletter February 2026: Optimal Heart Health Isn’t Just Diet & Cholesterol. It’s Impacted By Sleep
Dr. Tapp's Thought's
February is Heart and Stroke Month, and while cholesterol, blood pressure, and diet often take centre stage, there is a powerful and frequently overlooked contributor to heart disease and stroke: sleep apnea.

Dr. Brenda Tapp Leonard, ND
Feb 25 min read


When Emotions Get Stuck: How Breath Restores Flow in the Body
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) , emotions are not something to be ignored, suppressed, or “worked through” purely in the mind. They are meant to move . To rise, pass through the body, and resolve naturally. Just like blood, lymph, or breath, emotions require circulation. But modern life rarely allows for that. When life moves too fast, when we suppress what we feel, or when we stay in a constant state of stimulation, emotions can become stuck. Over time, this stagnant,

Courtney Cartmel, RAc.
Jan 262 min read


Intravenous Iron: When It Helps, and Why the “Why” Still Matters
Iron deficiency is one of the most common issues I see in clinical practice, and also one of the most misunderstood. For many people, oral iron simply does not work well enough, or at all. In those cases, intravenous (IV) iron can be a safe, effective, and life-changing option.

Dr. Brenda Tapp Leonard, ND
Jan 194 min read


Why the Scale Isn’t the Whole Story: Body Composition Over Pounds This Year
I’m going to tell you something you probably weren’t expecting from a naturopathic doctor… I hate stepping on scales. Every time I do it, I get that tiny knot in my stomach right before the number pops up. But I still step on anyway.
Why?
Keep reading...

Dr. Brenda Tapp Leonard, ND
Jan 123 min read


Newsletter January 2026: Intentional Action > Resolutions... Here's How We're Approaching Goals In 2026
As we close out another year at the Peterborough Centre of Naturopathic Medicine, I want to pause and say thank you. Whether you’ve been a long-time patient, a brand-new reader, or someone who simply keeps showing up for your own health, you are the heartbeat of what we do.
PCNM
Jan 54 min read


The Connection Between Weight Loss & Sleep Apnea
Many New Year’s resolutions revolve around weight loss. I’m guilty of making these resolutions too, but this year we’re tossing resolutions in favour of something more intentional. Part of my intention for the year is talking about the lesser-known things that meaningfully impact your health, so let’s talk about one of the most overlooked barriers I see (especially in women), and that is sleep apnea and how it impacts weight loss.

Dr. Brenda Tapp Leonard, ND
Dec 29, 20254 min read


The Science of Heat: Why Sauna Therapy Belongs in Modern Healthcare
A Brief History of Sauna Therapy
Sauna therapy is not a new wellness trend. It has been part of human health practices for thousands of years. Ancient cultures understood instinctively that heat could cleanse, restore, and strengthen the body.

Dr. Brenda Tapp Leonard, ND
Dec 22, 20254 min read


Menopause After Cancer: What Every Woman Needs to Know
I’ve spent my career supporting women through complex hormone transitions, from PMS to fertility, perimenopause, menopause, and recovery after cancer treatment. But lately, I’ve been living through some of it myself.

Dr. Brenda Tapp Leonard, ND
Dec 16, 20252 min read


Newsletter December 2025: A holiday and end of year message from Dr. Tapp Leonard, ND
As we close out another year at the Peterborough Centre of Naturopathic Medicine, I want to pause and say thank you. Whether you’ve been a long-time patient, a brand-new reader, or someone who simply keeps showing up for your own health, you are the heartbeat of what we do.
PCNM
Dec 9, 20253 min read


The Smart Woman’s Health Portfolio: 10 Tests That Protect Your Future
Last year, I was invited to speak at a gathering of women hosted by Ally Pyle of the Pyle Group. The goal was simple but powerful: to teach women the importance of investing. I’ve always believed that when women have money and their health, the world shifts. So, let’s talk about both. What good is a solid financial plan if your health doesn’t let you enjoy it?

Dr. Brenda Tapp Leonard, ND
Dec 1, 20253 min read


Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases: A Naturopathic Perspective on Graves’ Disease & Hashimoto’s
Autoimmune thyroid diseases are among the most common autoimmune conditions, especially in women. Here's how naturopathic medicine can support individuals with Hashimoto's and Graves' Disease.

Dr. Cara MacMullin, ND
Nov 30, 20253 min read


Busting Myths in Oncology: Carbohydrates are Bad
The idea that sugar feeds cancer is one of the most common and concerning myths people encounter. The truth, though, is more nuanced and more reassuring.

Dr. Brenda Tapp Leonard, ND
Nov 24, 20253 min read
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