Minister Clement Helps Launch Landmark Cancer Study
The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, and Jeff Lozon, Chair of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, are pleased to announce the launch of a landmark cancer study entitled The Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project. The pan-Canadian study, the largest of its kind in Canada and first of its kind in the world, will explore how genetics, environment, lifestyle and behaviour contribute to the development of cancer.
“In 2006, our Government fulfilled a key commitment to establish the Candian Partnership Against Cancer, to ensure that Canada has state-of-the-art information about preventing, diagnosing, and treating cancer” said Minister Clement. “This new initiative is the first of its kind in the world, and I congratulate CPAC for undertaking a study that will more closely examine the causes of cancer.”
The aim of The Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project is to help researchers, policy-makers and others understand how different combinations of risk factors lead to cancer. The study, led by the federally-funded Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, will track 300,000 randomly selected Canadians aged 35 to 69 for at least the next 20 to 30 years, gathering information on health and lifestyle through surveys and the collection of blood and other specimens.
“This study is an excellent example of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer’s key role as a catalyst for working together to achieve an effective national cancer control strategy. We are proud that our support is enabling such important research that will create a larger legacy that will benefit all Canadians long into the future,” said Mr. Lozon.
The Government of Canada established the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer in November 2006 to implement the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control – a plan developed by more than 700 cancer experts and survivors on how best to control cancer in Canada. Through its expert leadership, the Partnership is bringing together key players across the cancer control spectrum, making the most up-to-date information available and accessible to improve cancer outcomes in Canada.
“The Canadian Cancer Society welcomes this study announced today by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and Health Canada,” says Dr. Barbara Whylie, CEO, Canadian Cancer Society. “Canadians want information about how cancer can be prevented. Gaining more knowledge about cancer risk factors will lead to effective strategies that will see fewer Canadians being diagnosed with cancer and fewer dying from the disease.”
For more information about the project, please visit the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer Web site (www.partnershipagainstcancer.ca.)
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SOURCE: Health Canada