Atlantic PATH: Cancer Research In Atlantic Canada

Posted by Greg Loskow

on Sep 12, 2011

Tony Lorning of Atlantic PATH (The Partnership For Tomorrow's Health) spoke to our Club regarding their in-depth study investigating how genetics, the environment, lifestyle, and behaviour contribute to the development of cancer. The group is currently recruiting participants and champions for their 30 year study involving 30,000 Atlantic Canadian's. Shown in the picture are Wayne Gillis of The Rotary Club of Truro (left) and Tony Loring of Atlantic PATH (right).

Wayne Gillis introduced Tony Loring of “Atlantic PATH” a group that is spearheading investigating how genetics, the environment, lifestyle, and behaviour contribute to the development of cancer. This research is important for all but vital for residents of Atlantic Canada which has the highest cancer rates in all of Canada as each year more than 13.400 Atlantic Canadians are diagnosed with cancer and 6.300 will die from it.

The study Atlantic PATH is undertaking is different from other studies as it is extremely in-depth and comprehensive. They are actively recruiting 30,000 Atlantic Canadian participants aged 34-69 who will be followed for 30 years through hospital records, cancer registries, and other databases. Participants will be asked to provide data via questionnaires and non-invasive biological samples. This process is focused on gathering data and is designed to provide participants with confidentiality during the all phases of the data gathering process over the life of the program. Participants complete a “PATH Pack” self-assessment kit at home.

Participants are recruited into the program predominantly by the use of “Champions”. These Champions utilize their personal and/or professional networks of all kinds to distribute and collect the “PATH Pack” kits. Atlantic PATH is predominately funded by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, an independent agency established by the federal government to foster action on cancer control. Atlantic PATH seeks to maximize this funding by using Champions to help ensure the highest percentage of “PATH Pack’s” distributed are returned for use in the study.

Atlantic PATH is also currently recruiting Champions. They have a large number of Atlantic Canadian participants to reach out to in a very short period of time so bringing as many Champions as possible on board as soon as possible is critical. Atlantic PATH has reached out to many service organizations, including Rotary, to make this happen. Often times those involved in service clubs have established personal, community, and/or professional relationships that can be efficiently and effectively used to successfully recruit participants.

As an example, Wayne Gillis of our club is an Atlantic PATH Champion. If you are interested in participating in this important in-depth study please contact Wayne in the next week – his contact information can be found in the club directory. For all club members who indicate they would like to participate, Wayne will bring a “PATH Pack” for them to our meeting on September 26th.

If you would like to become an Atlantic PATH Champion and/or to find out more about this important study you can visit their website at http://atlanticpath.ca and/or call them toll free at (877) 285-7284. Wayne Gillis thanked Tony for enlightening us all about his study that is great importance to all of us in Atlantic Canada.