Toronto's medical officer of health to undergo surgery to remove precancerous cells
CBC
Toronto's medical officer of health says she will undergo surgery on Wednesday to have precancerous cells removed following a routine mammogram.
Dr. Eileen de Villa said in a news release on Tuesday that she will take a temporary leave of absence until Dec. 20. She said further treatment will be determined after surgery.
"My story is not unique. Women throughout Toronto receive news like this every day," said de Villa, who first came to prominence early last year due to her leading role in the city's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The cells were identified through the routine screening mammogram, which was done in the summer, and testing that followed the medical procedure, she said.
"My message to Torontonians is simply this: please do take the time to participate in screening programs, as recommended. I am grateful that I took the time to get screened as it has allowed me to have early detection and treatment."
Dr. Na-Koshie Lamptey, currently deputy medical officer of health, will take over for de Villa temporarily in her absence.
In a news release on Tuesday, Mayor John Tory said on behalf of all Toronto residents that he wished de Villa all the best as she undergoes surgery.
"I have no doubt she will make a speedy recovery and I look forward to continuing to work with her upon her return. Her professionalism and balance have been key to Toronto's progress in fighting COVID-19," Tory said.
"I also want to thank Dr. de Villa for stressing the importance of routine checkups and visits with your family doctor."
WATCH | Mayor John Tory reacts to city's medical officer of health taking a leave of absence:
Coun. Joe Cressy, chair of the Toronto Board of Health, also wished de Villa a quick recovery, saying she has been "the people's doctor."
"Throughout the pandemic, Toronto's Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa has guided us every step of the way — from making tough calls to reduce COVID-19 transmission, to spearheading the most expansive vaccination program in our city's history," he said.
"I look forward to having Dr. de Villa — and her trademark scarves — back with Team Toronto soon."
Egmont MP Bobby Morrissey says federal help for Prince Edward Island's struggling oyster fishery is expected early in the new year.
Calgary police have charged a man with defrauding numerous seniors out of about $186,000 in a string of incidents over a five-week period.
A Brampton lawyer allegedly connected to fugitive Ryan Wedding was granted bail Tuesday morning by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
Rankin Inlet hamlet councillors recently passed a motion that has had them avoid drinking alcohol for the 12 days leading up to Christmas, with the goal of setting a positive example for the community.
Jason Jacques says he learned a lot about the importance of choosing his words carefully in his first few months as the interim parliamentary budget officer (PBO).
Durham police say a man is dead after suffering multiple stab wounds in Oshawa Tuesday morning.
An internal review of technical outages that caused significant delays at airports and international land borders this fall has exposed critical flaws with the Canada Border Services Agency's IT services.
Two people are in life-threatening condition after being pulled from a house fire in Scarborough Tuesday morning, according to Toronto Fire Services.
Whenever the door opens at the British Grenadier Bookshop, proprietor Steve Douglas doesn’t know who is going to walk through.
A northeastern Ontario potato farmer says he’s shipping more bags of potatoes to southern Ontario to make up for waning demand.
Halifax’s registry of rental properties is now available to the public online, showing what HRM staff believe are the “bulk” of rentals in the city.
A New Brunswick tenant says he’s being pushed out of his rented bungalow as retribution for complaining about his landlord, but his landlord says she’s the victim of an unfair tenancy tribunal ruling that is preventing her from using the unit to house family.
Snow and freezing rain could affect morning commutes on Tuesday, according to a special weather statement issued by Environment Canada.