The national study is tracking the health of 300,000 in Atlantic Canada, British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec over the next 30 years. It is investigating how genetics, environment, lifestyle, and behaviour contribute to the development of cancer.
Tony Loring, regional manager for the Atlantic PATH Research Project, said the main goal of the 30-year study is cancer prevention.
“I’m here to let people know that there’s research going on here right in the Atlantic region and to describe what our objectives are in terms of prevention,” Loring said. “We’re looking at why some people get cancer and some don’t, and we’re going beyond that to look for new ways of screening for cancer earlier when it’s easier to treat.”
The project is still in its infancy.
“The research has just begun,” he said. “We’re already started but we’re really in the recruitment stage right now. We need to get 30,000 people from the Atlantic region to take part in the study.
“That recruitment phase will be done at the end of March,” he added. “We’re already at about 20,000 people and we’re really only starting on the Island. We’re hoping for a good participation.”
Loring said, “We’ve done things with the Relay For Life across the Atlantic region… It’s the support and hard work of the teams and volunteers from Relay For Life events across Canada that help make our much-needed research possible. We’re thankful for the partnership that we have with the Canadian Cancer Society and we’re hoping we can show people that the work they are doing is truly meaningful and helpful to our research.”
There are six Relay For Life events on P.E.I. this year: Kensington, May 25; Summerside, June 1; Charlottetown, June 8; Westisle, June 15; and Kings County, June 22. The University of Prince Edward Island will hold its annual Relay For Life in October.
Last year 190 teams raised more than $500,000 on P.E.I. to support cancer research, programs and services for cancer patients as well as contributing to prevention and advocacy initiatives.
To register a team visit www.relayforlife.ca.
