Celebrating Our Great Country

Timbits. Toques. Poutine. Beavertails. If you know what these words refer to, chances are you are Canadian.

We’re weird, wacky and PROUD of it! It’s not just coincidence that we are fondly referred to as “those crazy Canucks”. We recently stumbled upon an interesting article that highlights several strange things you probably don’t know about our home and native land. In honour of Canada Day this past weekend, we just had to share it with you: 13 Strange Things You Didn’t Know About Canada (courtesy of Reader’s Digest). 

We have a lot to celebrate in this great country of ours. In fact, according to the World Happiness Report Canada is in sixth place when it comes to global happiness – and that’s compared to 149 other countries around the world! 

Researchers have pondered whether happier people live longer. It’s a fact that Canada boasts one of the highest life expectancies (about 80 years) of industrialized countries, which many attribute to our healthcare system. In Canada, healthcare is simple: universal coverage for medically necessary services that are provided on the basis of need, rather than the ability to pay. We’re not saying it comes without its share of controversy and debate.

In Ontario, we have access to three free cancer screening programs. Screening can help to find cancer earlier, when there are more treatment options and an improved chance of survival. It is the only way to detect the changes that lead to cancer, or cancer at an early stage before symptoms develop.

Research shows that regularly screening for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer saves lives. For example, cervical cancer is almost entirely preventable with regular screening, appropriate and timely follow-up of abnormal Pap test results and HPV immunization. When caught early, people with colorectal cancer have a 90 per cent chance of being cured. Studies show that regular mammograms for women 50 to 74 years of age reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer.

So, spoken like a true Canadian, grab a double double, relax on the chesterfield and check out the Time to Screen tool. It’s a quick and easy way to find out when it’s time for you to start screening. 

Happy (belated) Canada Day, eh?