Purple Pen Podcast

Gastroenterologist and three-time guest Dr Kostas Brooks returns for a discussion on colonoscopy, bowel cancer screening, and best practice care in Australia.
In this episode, we cover:
Home bowel cancer screening
The role of home-based faecal occult blood tests in early detection

How the program works in practice

What best practice looks like in screening and surveillance

Bowel preparation for colonoscopy
Why there is no single standard bowel preparation protocol

Practical tips to support patients to achieve optimal preparation

Key considerations for medicines before and after colonoscopy

What happens during a colonoscopy
Step-by-step overview of the procedure

Emerging role of artificial intelligence in detection and diagnosis

Colorectal cancer in Australia
Prevalence and key risk factors

Who is most at risk and why

What happens next after a positive colonoscopy finding

Further reading 
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care - Colonoscopy Clinical Care Standard - https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/clinical-care-standards/colonoscopy 

National Bowel Cancer Screening Program - https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/national-bowel-cancer-screening-program?language=en 

Bowel Cancer Australia - Red Apple Day - https://redappleday.au/

In this episode of Myopia Progression and the Role of Atropine in Managing Myopia, we speak with Dr Loren Rose about one of the fastest growing challenges in children's eye health. We explore emmetropisation, the natural process by which a child's eyes develop towards clear vision, and what happens myopia. Dr Rose explains key concepts including hyperopic reserve, what a dioptre actually measures, and why both genetics and environment play important roles in myopia development. We discuss the influential Taiwan studies showing that spending around two hours outdoors each day can help reduce the risk of myopia, as well as the evidence linking prolonged near work and screen use with increasing rates of short-sightedness. We discuss the role of atropine drops and peripheral defocus lenses. 
Further reading
Rose LVT. The quest for safe and effective myopia control in children. Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2024 Jul;52(5):503-504. doi: 10.1111/ceo.14391. PMID: 38950909. - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38950909/ 
Optometry Australia Position Statement on Myopia Management - https://www.optometry.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Professional_support/Guidelines/Myopia-Position-Statement-2024-v3.pdf 
https://www.optometry.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/Documents/Myopia-management-resource-guide.pdf

In this episode, we're joined by Dr Mariya Farah Kitson, Consultant Rheumatologist at the Osteoporosis Refracture Prevention Clinic at Royal North Shore Hospital, for a deep dive into the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis. We explore why osteoporosis remains significantly underdiagnosed, current recommendations for bone mineral density (BMD) screening, and the ongoing osteoporosis care gap that leaves many patients untreated after fragility fractures. Dr Kitson also explains the role of secondary fracture prevention services and why menopause represents a particularly high-risk period for accelerated bone loss and fracture risk in women.
The conversation also unpacks the evolving treatment landscape for osteoporosis, including discussions around denosumab, its PBS and other indications, and important considerations regarding duration of therapy and rebound vertebral fracture risk following discontinuation. Dr Kitson compares the mechanisms of action of denosumab and bisphosphonates, outlines current recommendations for safely stopping denosumab, and discusses where newer therapies such as romosozumab fit into contemporary osteoporosis care. We also touch on the emerging role of biomarkers in fracture risk assessment and treatment monitoring, offering listeners an up-to-date and clinically relevant overview of osteoporosis management.
 
Further Links 
ASBMR - The American Society for Bone and Mineral Research - https://www.asbmr.org/Default.aspx 
International Osteoporosis Foundation https://www.osteoporosis.foundation/

In this episode, dermatologist Dr Francis Lai joins us to unpack everything you need to know about scabies — what it is, how it spreads and why some communities are more at risk. We break down diagnosis, treatment options, common myths and what to expect during recovery. Practical, evidence‑based advice for clinicians, parents and anyone dealing with this incredibly itchy but entirely treatable condition.

Kristin speaks with two pharmacists working in menopause care:
Bo Kim, clinical pharmacist and founder of EmpowHer Menopause in Perth

Jarrah Anderson, Clinical Lead at MedCast and member of the Quality Use of Medicines Alliance

In this episode
Types of menopausal hormone treatment (MHT)
When different MHT options are used in perimenopause and menopause.

Safety conversations
Current thinking on precautions and contraindications, and how to explain risks and benefits clearly.

Access and cost in Australia
PBS considerations, affordability and opportunities for pharmacist support.

Bio‑identical and body‑identical hormones
Why it matters for patient communication.

Testosterone in menopause care
What the evidence says about when it can be used and practical issues with prescribing and access.

Non‑hormonal therapies Options for symptom management, including the emerging medicine fezolinetant.

Links:
Medcast
Qhub - quality use of medicines resources - https://medcast.com.au/qhub 
 
Australian Menopause Society
Complementary medicines and therapies: options for menopausal symptoms - https://hub.menopause.org.au/Play?pId=3234710f-e5db-4aa1-bff8-ae98449fffad 
 
Guide to MHT/HRT Doses - https://hub.menopause.org.au/Play?pId=6ecead60-db26-4dfc-a662-794d7b39ef59
 
Jean Hailes 
Perimenopause and menopause symptom checklist
https://jeanhailes.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Perimenopause-and-menopause-symptom-checklist_TGD.pdf