Residents required for major cancer research project

Residents of Northern B.C. are being invited to participate in a major cancer prevention study.

The B.C. Cancer Agency’s B.C. Generations Project will be providing the opportunity for residents, age 35 to 69, to contribute to a study which could possibly benefit the future health of British Columbians.

The project is part of the largest health study of its kind in Canada and will explore how a variety of factors, including genetics, environment, lifestyle and behaviour contribute to our risk of developing cancer. The project will also explore other chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

John Spinelli, a distinguished scientist for B.C. Cancer Agency and the B.C. Generations Project chief investigator, says all information gathered by participants will be completely anonymous and everything obtained through the study will contribute to future cancer studies.

The study is aiming to collect health information, along with blood and urine samples of 40,000 residents of the province.

Spinelli says “The B.C. Generations Project provides every Northern resident with the opportunity to take an active role in helping researchers better understand the lifestyle and genetic factors linked to cancer and chronic disease. This study is significant for the future health of our community.”

Residents can participate through a mail-in survey, or people living close to the Prince George assessment clinic, can drop by in person from June 7 to July 9. The temporary clinic is located at 1777 third Ave, Suite 300.

For more information on the study or how to get involved, please contact 604-675-8221, or call toll free 1-877-675-8221. Information can also be gained via email at bcgenerationsproject@bccrc.ca or by visiting their official website.