Publications

These publications are examples of research made possible with data from CanPath and its regional cohorts.

2025

Covert vascular brain injury and cognitive dysfunction among Chinese adults living in Canada and China

Authors: C. Ke, S.S. Anand, E.E. Smith , K.M. Schulze, A. Moody

The researchers examined how country of residence influences covert cerebrovascular disease (VBI) and cognitive dysfunction among Chinese adults living in Canada and China. The study compared Chinese adults in Canada and China. They found that people in Canada had a lower prevalence of covert VBI and cognitive dysfunction than those living in China, even though both groups shared the same ethnicity. Living in China was associated with a much higher risk of covert VBI and lower cognitive function, although the link between cognitive dysfunction and country of residence was explained by education and traditional cerebrovascular risk factors, such as blood pressure and cholesterol.

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2024

Investigating Skin Cancer Risk and Sun Safety Practices Among LGBTQ+ Communities in Canada

Authors: F. Lagacé, F. Mahmood, S. Conte, L. A. Mija, A. Moustaqim-Barrette, J. LeBeau, A. McKenna, M. Maazi, J. Hanna, A. S. V. Kelly, R. Lazarowitz, E. Rahme, T. J. Hrubeniuk, E. Sweeney, I. V. Litvinov,

The researchers conducted a national survey of 700 LGBTQ+ individuals to evaluate skin cancer risk factors, sun-protective behaviors, and related concerns. Some participants were recruited with the help of longitudinal cohorts, notably the Manitoba Tomorrow Project and Atlantic PATH. The researchers found that 60% reported over 10 lifetime sunburns, 58% experienced at least one blistering sunburn, 34% had used tanning beds, and 69% reported having a tan in the last 12 months. Regular sunscreen use was reported by only half of the respondents. These findings emphasize the urgent need for culturally sensitive public health campaigns targeting sun safety practices within the LGBTQ+ community.

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2024

Exposure to air pollutants and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis measured by magnetic resonance imaging: A cross-sectional analysis

Authors: S. M. Azab, D. Doiron, K. M. Schulze, J. R. Brook, M. Brauer, E. E. Smith, A. R. Moody, D. Desai, M. G. Friedrich, S. I. Bangdiwala, D. Zeraatkar, D. Lee, T. J. B. Dummer, P. Poirier, J.-C. Tardif, K. K. Teo, S. Lear, S. Yusuf, S. S. Anand, R. J. de Souza.

The researchers examined how long-term exposure to air pollution affects early signs of heart disease. They used data to explore whether low levels of air pollutants are linked to the thickening of artery walls. The study included 6,645 adults from five Canadian provinces and estimated their exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) over several years. Using MRI scans to measure carotid artery wall thickness, the researchers found mixed results. Higher levels of ozone were linked to thicker artery walls, suggesting a potential negative effect, while higher nitrogen dioxide levels were associated with thinner artery walls, a finding that requires further investigation.

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2024

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

Authors: F. Lagacé, S. Conte, L. A. Mija, A. Moustaqim-Barrette, F. Mahmood, J. LeBeau, A. McKenna, M. Maazi, J. Hanna, A. S. V. Kelly, E. Rahme, T. J. Hrubeniuk, S. Peláez, I. V. Litvinov

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.

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2023

Development and external validation of partial proportional odds risk prediction models for cancer stage at diagnosis among males and females in Canada

Authors: Timofei Biziaev, Michelle L. Aktary, Qinggang Wang, Thierry Chekouo, Parveen Bhatti, Lorraine Shack, Paula J. Robson, Karen A. Kopciuk

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.

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2023

Provincial variation in colorectal cancer screening adherence in Canada; evidence from the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health

Authors: Maryam Darvishian, Amina Moustaqim-Barrette, Philip Awadalla, Parveen Bhatti, Philippe Broet, Kelly McDonald, Rachel A. Murphy, Kimberly Skead, Robin Urquhart, Jennifer Vena, Trevor J. B. Dummer

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.

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2023

Mental health, cancer risk, and the mediating role of lifestyle factors in the CARTaGENE cohort study

Authors: Kaitlyn Gilham, Anne Gadermann, Trevor Dummer, Rachel A Murphy

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.

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2023

Examining the influence of built environment on sleep disruption

Authors: Jaclyn Parks, Millie Baghela, Parveen Bhatti

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.

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2022

Agreement between self-report and administrative health data on occurrence of non-cancer chronic disease among participants of the BC generations project

Authors: Maryam Darvishian, Jessica Chu, Jonathan Simkin, Ryan Woods, Parveen Bhatti

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.

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2022

Dietary Intake and the Neighbourhood Environment in the BC Generations Project

Authors: Rachel A. Murphy, Gabriela Kuczynski, Parveen Bhatti, Trevor J. B. Dummer

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.

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