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Simone Paget: Canadian daters are prioritizing mental health

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New data suggests that openly discussing mental health is no longer a dating faux pas.

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When I first started dating after ending a long-term relationship, I kept the fact that I have an anxiety disorder to myself – at least for the first few dates. I saw it as privileged information that only trusted people were privy to. That was a decade ago. Somewhere around the 2016 United States Presidential election and the advent of folks hoarding toilet paper during “unprecedented times” all pretenses fell away.

My mental health journey is now something I place front and centre in initial dating conversations. In part, I use it as a litmus test for prospective partners (do they bristle when I mention that I take medication every morning?) Mostly though, I just want people to know who I truly am and what I value in myself, and others. A desire and willingness to look after oneself and prioritize mental health is a huge part of this.

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My experience isn’t unique. New data suggests that openly discussing mental health is no longer a dating faux pas.

In a recent survey, Bumble found that a majority (55%) of Canadians surveyed shared they are comfortable talking about mental health on a first date and nearly half of respondents (45%) shared the same about therapy.

Over the past few years of the pandemic, we’ve been forced to reckon with our mental health. It’s therefore, no surprise that Canadians are also putting mental wellness at the forefront of their relationships as well. “In fact, according to Bumble’s latest survey, one of the most important factors that Canadian respondents take into consideration when connecting with potential romantic partners is whether or not they prioritize self-care and mental health,” says Shan Boodram Bumble’s sex and relationships expert.

Dating can be a lot of fun, but it can also be incredibly challenging at times. The importance of caring for your mental wellbeing cannot be overstated. As Boodram explains, “our mental health influences how we think, feel, and behave. It also affects our ability to cope with stress, overcome challenges, and build healthy relationships. In this sense, putting yourself first when dating is not only recommended but necessary. We cannot share with others a resource that we lack – it’s all about loving and caring for ourselves before loving others.”

However, if you’re not used to bringing up the topic of mental health with the people you date, these kinds of conversations can feel sticky.

If you need some help easing into the topic, Boodram suggests bringing up something news or pop-culture related. “For example, you could ask if they’ve watched the latest season of Ted Lasso, where the main character struggles with mental health issues. You’ll learn a lot about your date by noticing the way they respond or react in these conversations!”

Boodram says you can also take a very straightforward approach. She suggests saying something like, “I have therapy today,” and giving the person space to ask any follow-up questions.

But what if dating is the thing that’s harming your mental health?

“Taking care of yourself is really a must for any healthy relationship,” says Boodram. She encourages people to double down on self-care while dating. This starts by being honest with yourself and the people you date about your emotional needs and boundaries. If a certain behaviour or kind of dating interaction doesn’t feel good to you, let the other person know. “Setting boundaries also means communicating to others what they are, instead of just expecting them to assume what we do and don’t need out of a relationship,” she says.

When dating, it’s easy to put a lot of pressure on yourself. It’s why Boodram encourages people to pace themselves. Resist the urge to overextend yourself socially and instead, set aside time throughout the week to rest and recharge. “Not only can prioritizing your emotional and mental well-being preempt burnout, but it can also set you up for a more successful dating journey in the long run,” says Boodram, adding, “by valuing yourself, you are subconsciously requesting that others do the same.”

Lastly, Boodram encourages people to discuss their mental health journey sooner rather than later. “Being open from the outset saves you from the stressful situation of having to hide a part of yourself while navigating a new relationship,” she says.

My instinct to use my mental health condition as a litmus test for potential partners isn’t wrong. While sharing details about your mental health can feel daunting, “it is better to know early on if someone is supportive and willing to be part of your journey,” says Boodram.

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Measles case reported locally turns out to be negative: health unit

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NEWS RELEASE
SIMCOE MUSKOKA DISTRICT HEALTH UNIT
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On March 26, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) was notified by Public Health Ontario’s (PHO) laboratory that due to laboratory error, the case of measles that had been lab-confirmed positive on March 12, based on symptoms and a positive urine measles laboratory result by PHO’s laboratory, is in fact negative for the measles virus.

“With this new information of the negative lab result, we believe that that individual was not infected with measles and that there has not been any public exposure to measles resulting from this individual’s illness,” said Dr. Charles Gardner, medical officer of health. “We recognize that notifying the public of what we believed to be a positive measles case in our area created worry, anxiety and disruption for some, and we regret this.

“We do know that, despite best efforts, on rare occasions laboratory errors can occur. We are working closely with the PHO’s laboratory to do all that we can to ensure that such an incident does not occur again.”

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that spreads very easily through airborne transmission. The measles virus can live in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours.

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Symptoms of measles begin seven to 21 days after exposure and include fever, runny nose, cough, drowsiness, and red eyes. Small white spots appear on the inside of the mouth and throat but are not always present. Three to seven days after symptoms begin, a red, blotchy rash appears on the face and then progresses down the body.

The risk of transmission to those vaccinated with two doses is low, and when it does occur tends to show a reduction in the severity of these symptoms.

“Although we are relieved for the individual involved, and for all Simcoe-Muskoka residents, that this case has now been confirmed as negative, we know that measles is still active in Ontario at this time and the potential remains for new cases to arise, especially given the increase in Ontarians travelling to areas in the world that have higher numbers of measles cases,” said Dr. Gardner. “This is why we continue to advise individuals to keep up to date with their routine immunizations, including measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination.”

The risk of measles is low for people who have been fully immunized with two doses of measles vaccine or those born before 1970; however, many children have been delayed in receiving their routine childhood immunizations and people who have not had two doses of measles vaccine are at higher risk of contracting the disease.

People who do get sick usually recover without treatment, but measles can be more severe for infants, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems. Possible complications include middle-ear infections, pneumonia, diarrhea, or encephalitis (swelling of the brain) and occasionally death in the very young. Even individuals who are up to date with the measles vaccine should watch for symptoms of measles for 21 days after exposure.

For more information about measles, please visit smdhu.org or call Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520, Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to speak with a public health professional.

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Kate Middleton Not Alone. Cancer On Rise For People Under 50, Say Experts

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Kate Middleton revealed on Friday that her cancer was discovered after she received abdominal surgery

London:

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When Catherine, Princess of Wales, revealed she was being treated for cancer last week, part of the shock was that an otherwise healthy 42-year-old has a disease that mostly plagues older people.

However, researchers have been increasingly sounding the alarm that more and more people under 50 are getting cancer — and no one knows why.

Across the world, the rate of under-50s diagnosed with 29 common cancers surged by nearly 80 percent between 1990 and 2019, a large study in BMJ Oncology found last year.

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The researchers predicted the number of new cancer cases among younger adults will rise another 30 percent by the end of this decade, with wealthy countries particularly affected.

The increase in cases — and soaring global population — means that the number of deaths among under 50s from cancer has risen by nearly 28 percent over the last 30 years.

This occurred even as the odds of people of all ages surviving cancer have roughly doubled over the last half century.

Shivan Sivakumar, a cancer researcher at the UK’s University of Birmingham, called it an “epidemic” of young adult cancer.

Since Kate Middleton revealed on Friday that her cancer was discovered after she received abdominal surgery earlier this year, Sivakumar and other doctors have spoken out about the uptick in younger cancer patients they have been seeing at their clinics.

While breast cancer remains the most common for people under 50, the researchers expressed particular concern about the rise of gastrointestinal cancers — such as of the colon, pancreas, liver and oesophagus — in younger adults.

Colon cancer is now the leading cause of cancer deaths in men under 50 in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. For women, it is number two — behind only breast cancer.

One high profile case of colorectal cancer was “Black Panther” actor Chadwick Boseman, who died at the age of 43 in 2020.

Why is this happening?

“We just don’t have the evidence yet” to say exactly what is causing this rise, Sivakumar told AFP, adding it was likely a combination of factors.

Helen Coleman, a cancer epidemiology professor at Queen’s University Belfast who has studied early onset cancer in Northern Ireland, told AFP there were two potential explanations.

One is that people in their 40s were exposed to factors known to cause cancer — such tobacco smoke, alcohol or being obese — at an earlier age than previous generations.

She pointed out that the “obesity epidemic” did not start until the 1980s.

Sivakumar felt that at least part of the puzzle could be explained by obesity.

However, there is “another wave” of under-50 patients who are neither obese nor genetically predisposed still getting cancer, he emphasised, adding that this could not be put down to “statistical chance”.

The other theory, Coleman said, is that “something different” has been going on with her generation.

Fingers have been pointed out a range of possible culprits — including chemicals, new drugs and microplastics — but none have been proven.

Some have suggested that so-called ultra-processed foods could be to blame. “But there’s very little data to back any of that up,” Coleman said.

Another theory is that the food we eat could be changing our gut microbiome.

While there is nothing conclusive yet, Coleman said her own research suggested that cancer causes changes to the microbiome, not the other way around.

Anti-vaxx conspiracy theorists have even tried to blame Covid-19 vaccines.

This is easily disproven, because the rise in young adult cancer has taken place over decades, but the vaccines have only been around for a few years.

What can be done?

To address the rise in younger colorectal cancer, in 2021 the US lowered the recommended age for screening to 45. Other countries have yet to follow suit.

But the researchers hoped that Catherine’s experience would remind people at home that they should consult their doctor if they sense anything is wrong.

“People know their bodies really well,” Sivakumar said.

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“If you really feel that something isn’t right, don’t delay — just get yourself checked out.”

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Almost 3,000 students suspended in Waterloo Region over immunization issues

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Close to 3,000 children attending elementary school across Waterloo Region were suspended from school on Wednesday morning for not having up-to-date immunization records.

The region says Waterloo Public Health suspended 2,969 students under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA).

For several months, the region has been campaigning for people to get their children’s vaccinations up to date, including sending letters home to parents on a couple of occasions, warning that students’ records needed to be up to date or they would be suspended.

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It announced in January that 32,000 students did not have up-to-date records: 22,000 elementary students and 10,000 high school students.


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“We have made remarkable progress from the original 27,567 immunization notices we sent to parents in November and December 2023,” Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, medical officer of health, stated.

“Since that time, we have resolved more than 24,500 outdated vaccination records, providing students with valuable protection against these serious and preventable diseases.”

The high school students still have a few weeks to get their records up to date or else face suspension.

The ISPA requires students to have proof-of-vaccination records for diphtheria, polio, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox) and meningitis, which must be on file with public health.

Public health says caregivers whose children are suspended will need to book an appointment at regionofwaterloo.ca/vaccines for clinics, which will be held in Cambridge and Waterloo on weekdays.

“Given the high number of suspensions, it may take several days before you can be seen at an appointment and return your child to school,” a release from the region warns.

“Record submission and questions must be done in person to ensure immediate resolution.”

The last time suspensions over immunizations were issued was in 2019, when 1,032 students were suspended.

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