Health officials estimate that one million Canadians are living with type 2 diabetes, but are not aware of it, and that half of five million people living with pre-diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes.
From a cost standpoint, officials refer to it as an economic tsunami.
According to a groundbreaking report by Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA), diabetes now costs the Canadian healthcare system a staggering $12.2 billion annually, and that number is projected to increase to $16.9 billion by the year 2020 when it's expected that almost 10 per cent of Canadians will be type 2 diabetics.
Even more important than the cost is the impact of the disease on people whose lives are being shortened by five to 15 years, said Regina Nebrida, communications associate with the CDA in Vancouver.
"Diabetes is increasingly costing Canadians their lives; yet they remain desensitized to it."
In a bid to improve the numbers, the CDA has launched an unprecedented public campaign which urges all Canadians who are 40 years or older to get checked now for diabetes.
The Get Checked Now campaign focuses on one dramatic symptom or sign -- tingling or numbness in the hands or feet -- that says they may be living with diabetes.
The campaign offers more information about the disease and where they can get checked by going online at www.getcheckednow.ca.
The three-year campaign aims to increase numbers of Canadians who are living healthy lives with the disease after being diagnosed.
Boyanne Young, CDA regional co-ordinator in Prince George, emphasized the importance of getting checked for type 2 diabetes.
"Often by the time people are diagnosed damage has already occurred, and complications my have already arisen," said Young.
Complications arising from untreated diabetes can include heart disease, kidney disease, eye disease, impotence and nerve damage.
People at risk of diabetes are those who have a family history of it, are in a high risk group like Aboriginal, Hispanic, Asian or African, have health problems associated with diabetes, had gestational diabetes during pregnancy, have impaired glucose tolerance, have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, or are overweight especially around the middle.
