A comprehensive analysis of skin cancer concerns and protective practices in Manitoba, Canada, highlights lack of skin cancer awareness and predominance of high-risk sun exposure behaviors
The researchers conducted a cross-sectional survey using data from Manitoba’s Tomorrow Project to examine sun exposure behaviors and attitudes. They found that over 65% of participants reported a history of sunburns, more than 50% had used tanning beds, and fewer than 50% used sunscreen. These findings highlight critical gaps in sun protection practices and awareness, underscoring the urgent need for targeted public health interventions to reduce skin cancer rates.
Development and external validation of partial proportional odds risk prediction models for cancer stage at diagnosis among males and females in Canada
This study examined health patterns in Alberta’s Tomorrow Project participants before cancer diagnosis to find factors related to cancers caught early versus late. The researchers found factors then tested them in a similar group from the British Columbia Generations Project.
Provincial variation in colorectal cancer screening adherence in Canada; evidence from the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health
The researchers sought to assess regional variation in screening uptake, identify factors to non-adherence to screening, and estimate adherence to screening in those with differing risk profiles. Using national CanPath data, they found adherence suboptimal amongst Canadians and noticed variation by region.
Mental health, cancer risk, and the mediating role of lifestyle factors in the CARTaGENE cohort study
This study investigates the associations between depression, anxiety, and cancer risk and the mediating effects of lifestyle. Using data from 34,571 CARTaGENE participants, researchers found positive links between mental health disorders, all cancers, and lung cancer risk, except for anxiety and lung cancer in women, where associations were lower when adjusting for sociodemographics, health and lifestyle. The study also found that smoking affected the relationship between mental health disorders and cancer risk. Overall, the study suggests that lifestyle factors, like smoking, may be important in understanding the relationship between mental health and cancer risk.
Examining the influence of built environment on sleep disruption
Researchers sought to understand if modifying aspects of the built environment improved sleep. Using data from 28,385 BC Generations Project participants, they found that increased light-at-night, air pollution (SO2), and living <100 m from a main roadway were associated with insufficient sleep. Greenness had a positive effect on sleep.
Agreement between self-report and administrative health data on occurrence of non-cancer chronic disease among participants of the BC generations project
Linked self-reported chronic disease history data to a Chronic Disease Registry (CDR) that applied algorithms to administrative health data to ascertain diagnoses of multiple chronic diseases in the Province of British Columbia.
Dietary Intake and the Neighbourhood Environment in the BC Generations Project
This study examined how neighbourhood factors like access to amenities and social relationships, as well as greenness and walkability, can influence fruit and vegetable intake. ~28,000 participants from the BC Generations Project were involved. Those living in neighbourhoods with greater material and social deprivation were less likely to meet recommendations for fruit and vegetable consumption, while those living in neighbourhoods with higher greenness were more likely to meet recommendations. These findings highlight how multiple neighbourhood characteristics can impact dietary intake.
Harnessing the power of data linkage to enrich the cancer research ecosystem in Canada
This abstract discusses a project aimed at linking cancer registry and administrative health data to Canada’s largest population health study, the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (CanPath). The project seeks to enrich the cancer research ecosystem in Canada by providing researchers with a comprehensive dataset that includes genetics, environment, lifestyle, and behaviour data. The linked data will be made available through a cloud-based solution called the CanPath Data Safe Haven, which is accessible to researchers through secure access. The project will address concerns related to the accessibility of cancer data in Canada, bring more value to existing data, and support an enhanced understanding of the impacts of cancer on marginalized populations.
Arsenic Speciation and Metallomics Profiling of Human Toenails as a Biomarker to Assess Prostate Cancer Cases: Atlantic PATH Cohort Study
This study aimed to characterize arsenic species and metallome profiles in toenails and urine samples, compare these profiles between prostate cancer cases and controls, and evaluate the utility of toenail and urine biomarkers. Toenails were found to be viable biomarkers for altered arsenic speciation in prostate cancer cases.
Pre-diagnosis lifestyle, health history and psychosocial factors associated with stage at breast cancer diagnosis – Potential targets to shift stage earlier
This study aimed to examine associations between risk factors for breast cancer diagnosis, prior to and and at diagnosis. Some protective factors include older age at diagnosis, high household income, parity, smoking, spending time in the sun (high ultraviolet), having a mammogram, and high daily protein intake. Factors that increase risk of later stage at diagnosis include comorbidities, stressful situations, and high daily caloric intake.