Doctors Keeler, Young, McLurg and Miller Family Practice

08/31/2026

🏃‍♀️ Exercise is medicine—but it isn’t a force field for your heart. ❤️

Regular physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your health. It can:

✅ Lower blood pressure
✅ Improve mood and mental health
✅ Help you sleep better
✅ Reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes
✅ Improve fitness, strength and overall quality of life

But there’s an important message I want my patients to hear:

Being fit does not mean you are immune to heart disease.

I volunteered for a fascinating 2018 study from researchers at UBC, which looked at almost 800 “Masters athletes”—people aged 35+ who exercised regularly, including runners, cyclists, rowers, triathletes and hockey players.

Despite being highly active, and having NO symptoms, **11.4% were found to have clinically significant cardiovascular disease.** Coronary artery disease (plaque narrowing the arteries supplying the heart muscle) was the most common diagnosis.

The takeaway is **NOT** to stop exercising! Quite the opposite. Exercise remains one of the most powerful tools we have for preventing disease and improving longevity.

Instead, think of exercise as one piece of the heart-health puzzle.

🫀 Keep moving.
🩺 Know your blood pressure.
🧪 Check your cholesterol, lipoprotein (a), and blood sugar when appropriate.
🚭 Don’t smoke.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Know your family history.
💊 Treat cardiovascular risk factors when needed.
⚠️ And don't ignore concerning symptoms simply because you're “fit.”

You can be incredibly fit, and still have high cardiovascular risk.

Fitness is fantastic.
Fitness + prevention + knowing your risk = even better. ❤️

*Reference: Morrison BN et al. “Assessment of cardiovascular risk and preparticipation screening protocols in masters athletes: the Masters Athlete Screening Study (MASS).” BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine. 2018;4:e000370.*

08/23/2026

It was a warm day on Friday for our Annual Clinic summer golf and barbecue 😊

Prizes were won for worst shot (Marianne, $20 Starbucks), best shot (Eve, $30 Boleyn books) and closest to the pin (Brandon, $50Thrifty’s). Best outfit—tie between Deanna, Alex and Brandon!

Thanks to Andreas and Meghan for hosting us all in their beautiful backyard kitchen.

Special mention for Andreas and Dyane, undefeated in corn hole, but challenged in the end by Steve and Vanessa 😆

Great to see the team in action, a fine welcome to our newest physician Samantha Ingham, and so happy to have our social workers Robin and Kianna join us ❤️

08/19/2026

The UBC Sexual Health Research Lab, led by Dr. Lori Brotto, is conducting a national research project examining the negative impact of menopausal symptoms on multiple domains of women's lives.

The purpose of this online study is to identify how midlife Canadian women (aged 39+) are affected by symptoms of menopause - particularly genitourinary syndrome of menopause (e.g., vaginal dryness, pain during s*x, chronic urinary tract infections, incontinence) and s*xual difficulties.

Findings will be used to inform better treatments to help women who experience significant discomfort due to menopause, as well to improve health care coverage for midline women in Canada.

Participation involves completing an online survey.

You may take part if you are: assigned female at birth, 39 years of age or older, fluent in English, and living in Canada.

If you are interested in participating in our research, please let us know: [https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bynuCxKQWEoEFls](https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bynuCxKQWEoEFls)

We would be grateful if you could share the study with your Facebook groups. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for helping extend the reach of this work.

The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

07/07/2026

Are you over 75 and wondering if you should continue with screening mammograms?

This info guide and decision making tool from the BC Cancer Agency might help: https://www.bccancer.bc.ca/screening/Documents/Breast_Decision-Aid-75.pdf

07/07/2026

Here you go! Tuesday, July 28, 5-6pm

A public seminar on Testosterone and Menopause, from the Canadian Menopause Society, register by scanning the QR code.

07/04/2026

Here’s an interesting infographic from the British Menopause Society on factors influencing women’s risk of breast cancer.

Check out the data for being on HRT, being overweight, for alcohol intake of two or more drinks per day, and for 2.5 hours per week of exercise:

Surprised?

06/30/2026

Our very own, Dr Steve Keeler, Swim Canada’s Team Physician, has co-authored this month’s Canadian Medical Association Journal editorial!

What does the loss of community swimming pools mean to us all?

Read on:

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06/18/2026

I think I’ve got the best patients!

Look what one of them dropped off today, for my semi-retirement, but really for my grandson ❤️

The best books, and beautiful hand made stuffies to go with each story! Amazing talent. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

06/05/2026

I saw this post the other day and it really resonated. 75% of my patients are female.

Here are five steps every woman should take for her health and wellbeing:

1️⃣ - know your screening schedule and actually follow it. HPV testing alone every five years is now the preferred option for women 30 to 65 per ACOG 2026.
And you can now collect your own HPV sample at home.
Cervical cancer is one of the only cancers we can actually prevent with screening. Skipping it is not a neutral choice.

2️⃣ - the HPV vaccine prevents cancer. Full stop. Up to 90% of cervical cancers. Plus vaginal, vulvar, a**l, and throat cancers. It is recommended through age 26 and available through age 45. If you have not had it - ask about it at your next appointment.

3️⃣ - postmenopausal bleeding is never normal. One episode. Even light. Even if it stopped. It needs to be evaluated same week - not at your next annual. This is the symptom that catches uterine cancer early. Do not dismiss it.

4️⃣ - know your family history and ask about genetic testing when it matters. Hereditary cancer syndromes affect 1 in 300 people and most carriers have no family history at all. If anyone in your family has had ovarian, uterine, breast, or colorectal cancer - especially at a young age or in multiple relatives - bring it up with your doctor. Knowing changes everything.

5️⃣ - if you are having any pelvic surgery and you have completed your family, ask your surgeon about removing your fallopian tubes at the same time. Up to 80% of the most lethal ovarian cancers originate in the fallopian tube. Removing them reduces your risk by up to 78%.
The ovaries stay. No surgical menopause. Most women are never told this exists.

Save this. Share it with every woman in your life.
These five things could change - or save - a life.

Pic of the breakwater at sunset on Monday

05/28/2026

If anyone here is a medical office assistant looking for a new role, please reach out to Arbutus Family Medicine. They are a lovely family practice clinic, looking for a part time or full time MOA 😊 🙏🏻