CanPath Access Office Hours

Join us for the CanPath Access Office Hours to learn more about how you can leverage CanPath data for your research. Members of the Access Office will be available to answer your questions, including Atlantic PATH Executive Director, Jason Hicks and our CanPath colleagues, Nouar Elkhair and Sheraz Cheema. The “Access Office Hours” virtual series provides researchers with an opportunity every quarter to ask questions they may have about CanPath data and biosamples, the access process or the CanPath Portal.

Hypertension Awareness Month

It’s Hypertension Awareness Month, and population health research is helping to advance how we predict, manage, and understand high blood pressure ? Recent studies using CARTaGENE and Alberta’s Tomorrow Project data have uncovered insights on: ? Suboptimal antihypertensive prescribing patterns in Quebec ? Why we should discard the first BP reading in clinical practice ❤️‍? How a hidden hormonal condition may drive heart damage ? The (surprising) effectiveness of traditional vs. ML models ? The impact of statins on diet quality in adults with metabolic syndrome CanPath and its regional cohorts offer the depth and scale to explore hypertension from every angle, from meds to models to metabolic risk. ? Explore the data: https://portal.canpath.ca/

Canadian Cancer Society – Data Saves Lives

“Data save lives. It’s as simple as that.” ? Thank you to the Canadian Cancer Society for having CanPath at the Cancer Data Community of Practice Workshop in Toronto this March. We were honoured to join this important conversation about improving Canada’s cancer data ecosystem because better data means better outcomes for all Canadians. Dr. Robin Urquhart, Atlantic PATH Scientific Director, says, “Data save lives. It’s as simple as that … How are we going to improve if we don’t know how we’re doing or if we don’t know where we have to improve, right? And data allows us to do that.” Dr. Donna Turner, Manitoba Tomorrow Project Scientific Director, says, “We really can’t manage what we don’t measure … We know that cancer data are actually relatively strong compared to other diseases, but we have so far to go.” A video from the Canadian Cancer Society of seven cancer stakeholders is available on LinkedIn.    

Mental Health Week & Research

Unmasking mental health means asking deeper questions, and CanPath data is helping researchers find the answers. This Mental Health Week, we’re recognizing how interconnected mental health is with every part of life. Researchers are using Atlantic PATH data to explore: ? Mental health and shift work (Sweeney et al., 2021) ? Depression, anxiety and the risk of cancer incidence (van Tuijl et al., 2023) ? Socioeconomic status, depression and prostate cancer survivorship (Ilie et al., 2021) ? Post-treatment adverse health correlates among prostate cancer survivors (Ilie et al., 2021) ? Anxiety and depression in prostate cancer survivors (Ilie et al., 2020) Researchers are using CanPath data to explore: ? COVID-19 and mental health in 23 international cohorts (In progress) ? Depression, diet, and diabetes (Schmitz & Sen, 2024) ? System costs of effective mental healthcare coverage (Vasiliadis et al., 2024) ? And more, like how our environments and chronic diseases like cancer intersect with mental health When we look beyond the surface, we see the whole person, and more possibilities for care, policy, and prevention. ? Watch the webinar on depression, diet, and diabetes >> https://lnkd.in/eHNm97YM ? Read the latest publications addressing mental health using CanPath data >> https://lnkd.in/ecQkdGQR  

National Volunteer Week and Thank You Thursday

Happy National Volunteer Week and Thank You Thursday from CanPath and Atlantic PATH! Atlantic PATH participants are critical partners in advancing health research. For more than fifteen years, their voluntary contributions have enabled discoveries shaping the future of disease prevention, diagnosis, and care. Atlantic PATH participants’ commitment reminds us that every data point represents a person, and every discovery represents hope for healthier communities. Thank you to all our participants for making population health research possible. Learn more about participants’ impact, including Atlantic PATH participant, Barbara Campbell! https://canpath.ca/meet-canpath-participants/

Cancer Research Society Funding Opportunity

RISE: Research Impact in Survivorship and Engagement  The Cancer Research Society (CRS) and Ovarian Cancer Canada are proud to launch the RISE grant competition. Through this partnership, a total of $200,000 will be awarded to support two innovative projects focused on ovarian cancer survivorship, based on priorities identified by patients and caregivers. Key Dates • Letter of Intent: May 13, 2025 at 11:59 PM (ET) • Full Application (by invitation): July 25, 2025 at 11:59 PM (ET)   Competition Details  Eligible projects may focus on one or more of the following aspects of ovarian cancer survivorship: Physical well-being and health Psychosocial and emotional well-being Health disparities and inequities Treatment advances to extend survival, reduce side effects and improve quality of life Healthy lifestyle interventions  

New Article – The Association of Sleep Trouble and Physical Inactivity with Breast Cancer Risk in Nova Scotia

Congratulations to Dr. Cindy Feng on her new article, “The Association of Sleep Trouble and Physical Inactivity with Breast Cancer Risk in Nova Scotia: Evidence from the Atlantic PATH Cohort.” Breast cancer is a major public health concern, and modifiable health behaviors such as sleep quality and physical activity may influence risk. This study examined the associations between self-reported sleep trouble, sleep duration, and physical activity with breast cancer incidence in a prospective longitudinal cohort of 10,305 females from Nova Scotia. This work is part of Dr. Feng’s ongoing research with Atlantic PATH focused on predictive modeling and geographical analysis of cancer incidence in Atlantic Canada.  

CanPath data sheds light on air pollution’s hidden role in rheumatic disease

Air pollution isn’t just a lung issue. It has far-reaching effects on immune function and autoimmune diseases. CanPath’s vast dataset offers researchers a unique opportunity to explore these connections and advance air pollution and autoimmune disease research. Air pollution is often associated with respiratory conditions, but emerging research reveals its impact extends beyond the lungs, influencing immune system function and contributing to autoimmune and rheumatic diseases. Understanding these connections is critical for disease prevention, treatment, and public health strategies. Dr. Sasha Bernatsky, a rheumatologist and epidemiologist, has been at the forefront of this research. Her work highlights how air pollution, especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5), may act as an environmental trigger for immune dysfunction. CanPath, Canada’s largest population health study, provides researchers with the data needed to examine these links in depth. How air pollution affects the immune system and autoimmune disease Air pollutants include PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone, and other entities. PM2.5 can enter the bloodstream, triggering systemic inflammation and immune dysregulation. While air pollution’s effects on respiratory conditions like asthma and lung cancer are well documented, its role in autoimmune diseases is a newer area of investigation. “One of the really cool things about these kinds of analyses was that it provided one of the first indications that air pollution may affect the immune system,” said Dr. Bernatsky. “Prior to these kinds of analyses, we had good data on what happens when you are exposed to PM2.5 in terms of asthma risk or lung cancer. That makes sense because you breathe in the air, and there’s a local effect. But this was one of the first analyses looking at a totally different kind of disease. It convinced people at Health Canada’s air health effects assessment division that, indeed, you can have health effects far beyond just the lung.” This growing body of research underscores the need for large-scale, longitudinal data to better understand the full spectrum of air pollution’s impact on immune-mediated conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus. CanPath’s role in advancing rheumatic disease research Arthritis data resources in CanPath: Biosamples, genotyping, and self-reported diagnoses for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other forms CanPath’s large-scale, longitudinal dataset is an invaluable resource for researchers undertaking air pollution and autoimmune disease research. By linking environmental exposure data to genetic, lifestyle, and health information, CanPath enables scientists to explore how air pollution contributes to immune-mediated diseases over time. “CanPath serum samples and data were extremely helpful,” Dr. Bernatsky emphasized. “In fact, I just don’t see any way we could have done what we did without CanPath.”  Dr. Trevor Dummer, an expert in environmental health, reflected on the study’s evolution and its potential for continued discoveries: “It’s nice to see some of those results because I can think back to many, many years ago. You know, CanPath has been going for 15 years. Now it’s a considerable amount of time. I recall the early collaboration, so it’s great to see the fruits of all of those labours.” This extensive dataset allows researchers to track patterns over time, assessing how long-term exposure to air pollution affects disease development and progression. Implications for future research and public health The insights gained from CanPath’s data have the potential to: Inform air quality policies and environmental regulations Improve public health strategies for reducing autoimmune disease risks Enlighten scientific, patient and physician groups regarding immune-mediated disease etiology As air pollution remains a global concern, leveraging large-scale datasets will be key to understanding and mitigating its impact. Researchers can utilize CanPath data linked with environmental exposure data from the Canadian Urban Environmental Health Research Consortium (CANUE) to investigate immune-mediated diseases and the environment. Explore available datasets and application processes on the CanPath Portal By continuing to explore how pollution influences immune-mediated disease, researchers can also help shape policies and interventions that protect both individual and population health. For those looking to advance this work, CanPath data is invaluable for uncovering new insights in environmental and autoimmune disease research.

Synthetic Dataset Workshop (In-Person in Toronto)

Synthetic Dataset Workshop (In-Person in Toronto) Date: June 24, 2025 Time: 9:00 am- 4:30pm Location: Centre for Research and Innovation Support Register for the workshop Join us for an exclusive hands-on workshop on the CanPath Synthetic Dataset, designed for faculty, researchers, and trainees looking to explore Canada’s largest population health dataset. This workshop will introduce participants to Lifebit’s cloud-based platform and provide practical training on analyzing synthetic health data. What is the CanPath Synthetic Dataset? The CanPath Synthetic Dataset is a versatile resource designed for research, education, and practical applications. It was manipulated to mimic CanPath’s nationally harmonized data but does not include or reveal actual data of any CanPath participants. Interested in exploring the data? Check out the CanPath Data Dictionary. What is the Trusted Research Environment? The Trusted Research Environment (TRE) is a secure, cloud-based platform where researchers can access and analyze CanPath data without downloading it to their local machines. The TRE ensures data privacy and security, providing a controlled environment for conducting research while offering powerful tools for analysis. Participants in this workshop will learn how to navigate and use the TRE efficiently. Lifebit, CanPath and AWS have collaborated to bring this platform to life. Who should attend? This workshop is open to: Faculty/staff using the dataset for education (e.g., incorporating it into a course assignment). Faculty/staff using the dataset for training purposes (e.g., teaching trainees how to analyze population health data or preparing to apply for real CanPath data access). Trainees (e.g., postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, undergraduate students) interested in learning how to work with CanPath data. Learning objectives By the end of the workshop, participants will: Navigate and analyze the CanPath Synthetic Dataset using the Lifebit cloud-based platform. Work with pre-created analytical pipelines in R and Python (basic familiarity required). Understand how to bring in additional data and use platform tools such as the Cohort Browser, Airlock, and Data Factory. Gain insights from real-world case studies and demonstrations from CanPath experts. Connect with fellow researchers, instructors, and clinician scientists to foster future collaborations. Agenda The final agenda will be sent to attendees prior to the event. Time Session 9:00 AM Introduction to CanPath, Lifebit, staff and attendees 9:30 AM Training on the Lifebit platform and guided exercise 11:00 AM Coffee Break 11:15 AM Demonstration and case studies with CanPath data 12:00 PM Lunch Break 1:00 PM Hands-on analyses in the platform 2:30 PM Discussion: key learnings and future data strategy 3:30 PM Snacks and networking reception Additional support Need extra help? Attendees can attend Office Hours to get one-on-one support from Lifebit and CanPath experts. Participants can book sessions for personalized assistance. The location, date, and time will be announced soon. How to apply Participants must fill out an application to be considered. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Initial deadline: March 28 Space is limited! Apply early for the best chance of securing a spot.