Dozens of Airdrie residents rolled up their sleeves and had their measurements taken for the Tomorrow Project, a long-term initiative to gain a better understanding of what causes cancer, Aug. 29 and Sept at Grace Baptist Church.
By 2012, the Alberta Health Services (AHS) project aims to sign up 50,000 adults between the ages of 35 and 69 who have never had cancer.
“At the end of the day, the goal is to find out what causes cancer and how to prevent it,” said Haydon Dewes, communications coordinator with AHS.
“We follow the person’s lifestyle and health for 50 years and if they develop cancer, we look at their lifestyle and see if anything stands out.”
Dewes said this is the biggest study of its kind conducted in Alberta.
Airdrie is just one of 13 communities the project will travel to over the course of August and September.
Mayor Peter Brown took part in the study.
“As soon as I found out about this, it was an easy yes,” he said.
“Any study that could hold the key to eradicating cancer, I’m in.”
Brown’s brother passed away from lung cancer in 2005.
Ray Keith, a firefighter from Red Deer, said people in his profession are prone to cancers and he wants to improve his and others’ chance of surviving the disease.
“Anything I can do to improve my chances of survival, why wouldn’t I do it?” he said.
His mother-in-law, mom and sister-in-law have all had cancer. According to AHS, one in two Albertans will develop cancer in their lifetime and about one in four will die from it.
Lois Fenson said she is taking part in the study because she is lucky enough to be cancer free.
“I have had many friends that have been affected by cancer and hopefully something good will come out of me giving my time and some blood,” she said.
“I think a study like this is long overdue. The treatments aren’t always working and we need to find out what causes it. Everyone should feel responsible for helping to find a cure because there isn’t a family out there that hasn’t been touched by it.”
Andi Bartnek’s husband Roger Falk was diagnosed with prostate cancer and has been a survivor for six years.
“I thought I would come because all the data will be able to give them an indication of where cancer comes from,” she said.
“I’m alive, so why not contribute?”
Participants were asked questions about their health, lifestyle and to provide physical measurements, small amounts of blood, urine and saliva. AHS will follow up with the individual every three to four years after initial contact.
Interested residents can still sign up for the study by calling 1-877-919-9292 or visiting www.in4tomorrow.ca
