Message from the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health

April is Daffodil Month: Cancer Awareness

As Canada's Minister of Health, I encourage all Canadians to join in the fight against cancer. We can all take action to reduce  the risk of developing it by working to have a healthy lifestyle. More than 50% of cancer cases are linked to diet, level of physical activity, obesity, and smoking, but the causes of many other cancers remain unexplained.

A leading cause of death among Canadians, many of us have been touched by cancer in some way during our lives. In 2009 alone, an estimated 75,300 people in Canada lost their battle with this disease. Since cancer is also associated with aging, the number of cases will likely increase as our population ages.

Every year, the Canadian Cancer Society steps up its efforts to promote cancer awareness during the month of April, also known as  Daffodil Month. Volunteers from across the country sell yellow daffodils to raise awareness and funds for the fight against cancer. I encourage all Canadians to support the Society by purchasing daffodils from March 25 to March 28, 2010.

The Government of Canada is committed to working in partnership to fight cancer. Our support for the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer ($260 million over five years) is leading to tangible actions that will benefit all Canadians in the prevention and control of cancer.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, I commend the Canadian Cancer Society and similar organizations who dedicate their work to the fight against cancer.

Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of Health
Government of Canada

For more information on preventing and managing cancer, visit the  cancer section of the website of the  Public Health Agency of Canada.

For quick facts and tips on your health, stay connected with  PHAC mobile and Social Media Tools.