No one wants to think about prostate, colorectal, ovarian, testicular, bladder, cervical, and uterine cancer, let alone talk about them. When it comes to discussing cancers that hit below the waist, we become a nation of prudes. Sunnybrook’s Odette Cancer Centre wants to not only talk about these cancers but to eradicate them. And they need your help. Sunnybrook’s “Underwear Affair” is a fantastic fundraiser with a sense of humour. On August 23rd come out and do a 10K run or a 5K walk in your underwear. To register go here

We may not want to talk about these cancers, but this is the harsh reality. According to Cancer Care Ontario and the National Cancer Institute of Canada:

• Of the four most prevalent cancers in Ontario, two are below the waist - prostate and colorectal.
• Prostate, colorectal, breast and lung cancers have the highest prevalence rate and the greatest number of new diagnoses each year.
• Prostate and breast cancer together represent 40% of the overall total, with over 52,000 people diagnosed each year.
• Most Common Male (ages 20 – 44) Below-the-Waist Cancers Diagnosed in Ontario are Colorectal 8% and Testicular 14%.
• Most Common Male (ages 45 +) Below-the-Waist Cancers Diagnosed in Ontario (Ages 45+) are Prostate 28%, Colorectal 14%, Bladder 5%, Kidney 3%.
• Most Common Female Below-the-Waist Cancers Diagnosed in Ontario are Colorectal 12.3%, Body of Uterus 5.3%, Ovary 3.4%, Cervix: 1.7%.
• Most Common Female Below-the-Waist Cancers Diagnosed in Canada are Colorectal 12.2%, Body of Uterus 5.3%, Ovary 3.1%, Cervix: 1.8%.

The race starts at Woodbine Park which is located at Coxwell and Lakeshore Boulevard East. To see the map route follow this link.

There’s a great party afterwards. Get undressed and help the cause. All proceeds will go to the Edmond Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

Doctors in Toronto are literally operating above the law and people are paying with their lives. The well known case of the death of Krista Stryland after liposuction performed by Dr. Behnaz Yazdanfar at her clinic is in the news yet again. Two months before the death of Ms Stryland another patient had serious complications after 5 litres of fat were liposuctioned from three body parts in a single session, although the college alleges that Dr. Yazdanfar previously told them that she only removes under 2 litres of fat at a time, and only performs liposuction on one body area per procedure.

Thankfully this patient survived and her family has filed a complaint with the college. In spite of these 2 cases in close proximity to each other and the fact that there is documented evidence that the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario had concerns about risks to patients being treated at Dr. Behnaz Yazdanfar’s cosmetic clinic as far back as 2002, she is still going about her business as usual even though she is not accredited as a plastic surgeon and holds no surgical designation.

What I don’t understand is that College investigators have requested the following from Dr. Behnaz Yazdanfar:

• They issued a summons requiring her to meet with them
• They want to observe her performing surgery
• They want to interview her in order to ascertain her knowledge, skill and judgment in cosmetic surgery
• They want to question her about cases under review
• They want to see certain documents including her surgical schedule
• They want specific information related to 2 patient testimonials on her website

Dr. Behnaz Yazdanfar has denied all of the aforementioned requests as she does not believe that she is legally obligated to cooperate with the investigation of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. Her nursing staff has also declined requests from the college to be interviewed. What I don’t understand is why Dr. Yazdanfar is not legally compelled to cooperate and why the college now has to seek a court order to compel her to comply. It is estimated that hundreds of doctors across the country without surgical training and accreditation continue to perform cosmetic procedures in private offices and clinics and we are at their mercy. When are we going to have the laws in place to put these charlatans out of business? Haw many more people have to die?

Where did the summer go? The Canadian National Exhibition is right around the corner. It begins on Friday, August 15th and ends on Labour Day Monday, September 1st. Founded in 1879 the CNE or The Ex, as it is affectionately known is a beloved Toronto tradition. Almost everyone local to Toronto has childhood memories of The Ex. This 18-day fair attracts over 1.25 million people annually. It is the largest annual fair in Canada and the 5th largest in North America. The CNE is easily accessible by car and by TTC. Parking is expensive so leave the car at home and take public transit. Follow the link below for maps and directions.
http://www.theex.com/planyourvisit.php?menu=02:02

There is so much to see and do:
• 2 midways with over 50 rides and 80 games
• Great Horse Shows
• Casino
• Circus Orange in Jump Jet: a fabulous show of pyrotechnics, acrobatics, and circus theatre
• Illusionist Kevin Ridgeway and Escape Artist Kristen Johnson
• Hippike: an aerialist and equestrian show
• The Canadian Forces
• IAMS SuperDogs Show
• Daily Parade at 6:00 PM
• Hypnotist Mike Mandel
• Ventriloquist Michael Harrison
• The RCMP Musical Ride
• The Rodeo
• Labour Day Weekend Laughs
• Canadian International Air Show
• Garden Show
• Rib Fest
• Classic Car Show
• 90 vendors in the Food Building featuring international selections
• Great Shopping
• And More!

For information on how and where to purchase tickets, or to buy your tickets online, follow the link below.
http://www.theex.com/gettickets.php
What is your favourite part of The Ex?

In the late ‘70s when we were faced with gas shortages, siphoning gas from vehicles was becoming so prevalent that we were forced to install locks on our gas caps. Gas crimes are no longer a distant memory with the prices skyrocketing. Siphoning doesn’t seem to be as rampant as it was in the good old days although there has been a rise in gas tank and gas line punctures. The hot crime is termed “gas & dash” which is literally gassing up your car and then dashing off without paying. Gas & dash crimes have increased by 42% across York region since 2007 and in the southern part of the regions the gas crime rate has increased by 70%. Last year at this time there were 335 gas & dash crimes reported. During the same period this year 474 gas & dash crime have been reported. In the U. S, it is reported that 115,000 convenience gas stores lost $134 million to gas theft last year. Although most of the gas crimes are committed in the dark at night there are many brazen criminals with fake and therefore untraceable license plates who rip off gas stations during the day. Some retailers are now requiring that you pay prior to filling up.

All of the experts predict that gasoline prices are going to continue to rise. That will guarantee that gas crimes will increase proportionately. Take some precautions to prevent thieves from stealing gas from your car:

• Install a locking gas cap on your car
• Park your car in a secure garage, in a parking lot with an attendant present, or in a well lighted and well trafficked area.
• Vary your parking routine

Have you been a victim of a gas crime or witnessed one?