Alberta Health Services (AHS) is looking for Airdrie residents to participate in The Tomorrow Project, a new, long-term initiative to gain a better understanding of what causes cancer.
AHS wants 50,000 adults between the ages of 35 and 69 to sign up by mid 2012. Eligible participants must have no personal history of cancer.
Currently, 13,000 people have enlisted.
“Much of the knowledge to be gained from this project about what causes cancer will benefit our children and grand children,” said Dr. Paula Robson, principal investigator for the project.
“We are getting better at early detection of cancer and better at treatment, such that people are living longer after receiving a cancer diagnosis. However, one area we need to get better at is learning how to prevent cancer in the first place.”
The study looks to bring further clarity into the nuances of cancer by following Alberta participants for the next 50 years.
Airdrie is one of 13 communities the project will travel to over the course of August and September.
The Project has received a celebrity endorsement from Calgary philanthropist and businessman W. Brett Wilson, a prostate cancer survivor.
“The toughest fight of my life was not in the boardroom or on TV, it was with cancer,” said Wilson in a promotional video for The Tomorrow Project.
“I beat prostate cancer and I’m happy to be alive and well. To me, this isn’t about our lives — yours and mine — it’s about saving the lives of generations to come.”
Mayor Peter Brown is excited for the study.
“It’s really an opportunity for people to participate in eradicating cancer,” said Brown.
Brown lost his brother Paul to lung cancer in November 2005 and said he will participate in the study once he is medically cleared of any possible cancers.
“Like my brother Paul… we all know someone who’s died from it,” said Brown. “It’s quite a despicable disease. I will definitely participate and encourage our residents to do so.”
Those who choose to enrol will be asked questions about their health, lifestyle and to provide physical measurements as well as small amounts of blood, urine or saliva.
Appointments must be made and take about one hour.
The study takes place Aug. 29 to Sept. 1 at Airdrie Grace Baptist Church, 1009 East Lake Boulevard, N.E.
According to AHS, of the 7,810 people in the Calgary-area who developed cancer in 2009, 1,840 died.
For more information on The Tomorrow Project, visit www.in4tomorrow.ca
