Month: July 2023

Assessing Skin Cancer Risk Factors, Sun Safety Behaviors and Melanoma Concern in Atlantic Canada: A Comprehensive Survey Study

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Authors: François Lagacé, Bibi Nuzha Noorah, Santina Conte, Lorena Alexandra Mija, Jasmine Chang, Leila Cattelan, Jonathan LeBeau, Joël Claveau, Irina Turchin, Wayne Gulliver, Robert Gniadecki, Elena Netchiporouk, Wilson H. Miller Jr., Thomas G. Salopek, Elham Rahme, Sandra Peláez, and Ivan V. Litvinov. Journal: Cancers Abstract Background: The incidence of cutaneous melanoma (CM) is increasing at an alarming rate in Canada and elsewhere around the world. Significant regional differences in CM incidence have been identified in Atlantic provinces. The goal of this study is to compare ultraviolet exposure, sun protective behaviours, level of worry and baseline CM knowledge in provinces with a high versus low incidence of CM as well, as between various demographic groups. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted in Atlantic provinces between July 2020 and August 2022. All participants aged ≥ 16 years with a completed survey were eligible. Survey responses were summarized using frequency counts, percentages, and means. Two-sided Z-tests for equality of proportions and logistic regression models were used to compare the survey results between geographic and demographic groups. Results: In total, 7861 participants were included (28.0% men; mean age 61.3 years; response rate 28%). Our results (gender- and age-adjusted odds ratio, 95% confidence interval) show that high-incidence provinces for CM (Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia) had significantly more sunburns (OR 2.00, 1.72–2.31), total sun exposure (OR 2.05, 1.68–2.50), recreational sun exposure (OR 1.95, 1.61–2.35) and tans (OR 1.77, 1.53–2.05) than individuals in low-incidence provinces (Newfoundland and Labrador). However, individuals in high-incidence provinces displayed more protective behaviors: there were less tanning bed users (OR 0.82, 0.71–0.95), they checked their skin more frequently for new moles (OR 1.26, 1.06–1.51) and practiced more sun protection overall. Additional analyses are presented based on education, income, sexual orientation and gender. Discussion: These findings suggest that future efforts aimed at reducing the CM burden in Atlantic Canada should be tailored for target geographic and/or demographic groups. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15153753

New Publication – Skin Cancer & Atlantic Canada

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Atlantic PATH participants were invited to participate in the SunFit study led by Dr. Ivan Litvinov at McGill University. A new publication focuses on assessing skin cancer risk factors, sun safety behaviours and melanoma concern in Atlantic Canada. Melanoma skin cancer can largely be prevented through education, sun protection, screening, and public health campaigns. However, incidence rates have been increasing and the highest age-standardized incidence rates in Canada found in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island (27.66 and 30.94 cases per 100,000, respectively). In contrast, Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick have rates below or comparable to the Canadian average (16.63 and 19.99 per 100,000, respectively). The SunFit study found that participants in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island had higher overall rates of sun exposure, as well as the greatest percentage of the skin type with a predisposition to burn. The findings of the study suggest that increased sun exposure, rather than lack of awareness or use of sun protection, may be driving the higher rates of melanoma in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island compared to Newfoundland and Labrador. The Sun Fit project continues to expand this work to other Canadian regions.

Seroprevalence in Canada – New Data from CITF

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“In order to tailor public health strategies to the current pandemic context, it is important to understand the prevalence of COVID-19 across Canada. Since the winter of 2021-22 with the onset of the Omicron wave, PCR testing for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 has failed to keep up with the rapid growth in infection across the population. The CITF has therefore drawn on serosurveillance studies (measuring antibodies due to infection and vaccination in a person’s blood) to provide updated estimates of the magnitude and trends in SARS-CoV-2 infection in Canada.” (Source: CITF) Along with more than 20 studies, blood spot samples from Atlantic PATH participants and CanPath participants across the country helped to inform work from the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force that found that 78.5% of Canadians had antibodies due to infection by April 30, 2023. You can find an interactive map prepared by the Data and Analysis Team at the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force here: https://www.covid19immunitytaskforce.ca/seroprevalence-in-canada/ COVID-19 Infection Induced Seroprevalence (Source: CITF) Although Atlantic Canada had the lowest infection rates inthe country through most of the pandemic, the increases seen during the spring and summer of 2022 resulted in a seroprevalence comparable to other regions by fall 2022. This was due to a rate of increase in Atlantic Canada during the early Omicron waves that was higher than other regions. Please visit CITF for additional details from this work: https://www.covid19immunitytaskforce.ca/seroprevalence-in-canada/ #PopulationHealth #Cohorts #HealthResearch

Pan-Canadian Cancer Data Strategy

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The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) and Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC) have launched the Pan-Canadian Cancer Data Strategy that will guide efforts to enhance the collection, integration and use of cancer data. “CPAC and CCS have worked with various partners, including provincial and territorial cancer agencies and programs, healthcare organizations, First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners, researchers, policymakers and people with lived cancer experience to create a cancer-specific data strategy that includes: a framework to guide the mission, vision, values and success factors for improvements in cancer data three priorities for action and investment including: improving the efficiency, timeliness and quality of data capture and access enhancing linkages to current data filling gaps in current data collection and availability a section on the importance of First Nations, Inuit and Métis data sovereignty, with examples of First Nations, Inuit and Métis-led efforts to improve data and data governance.” CanPath, and its seven regional cohorts including Atlantic PATH, are proud to be represented in the new Pan-Canadian Cancer Data Strategy.  We’re committed to filling gaps in data on risk factors to guide cancer prevention efforts.  CPAC Press Release: https://www.partnershipagainstcancer.ca/about-us/corporate-resources-publications/pan-canadian-cancer-data-strategy/

CSEB Conference Update

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The CanPath team was well represented at the Canadian Society for Epidemiology & Biostatistics (CSEB) Conference in Halifax on June 26-28, 2023. We had representatives from the CanPath National Coordinating Centre, Atlantic PATH, CARTaGENE, the Manitoba Tomorrow Project, and the Ontario Health Study that showcased the groundbreaking research and resources available related to epidemiology and biostatistics within CanPath and the regional cohorts. Throughout the conference, CanPath and the regional cohorts were well-represented in various sessions and discussions, particularly regarding data linkage. Some notable presentations included: ? Dr. Robin Urquhart, Scientific Director of Atlantic PATH, co-presented a workshop on data repositories in Canada ? Dr. Ellen Sweeney, Research Director of Atlantic PATH, presented at a concurrent session about research at Atlantic PATH exploring environmental exposure to arsenic and cancer risk using toxicological and machine-learning methods ? Dr. Vikki Ho, co-Scientific Director of CARTaGENE, co-presented a workshop on mentorship for junior faculty and funding opportunities ? Nicholas Cheng, PhD candidate at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, presented at a concurrent session about his research on leveraging population health cohorts to identify cancer biomarkers in blood up to seven years before diagnosis ? Poster sessions featured CanPath, the Manitoba Tomorrow Project, the Ontario Health Study, CARTaGENE, and more, showcasing the exceptional research happening at the regional level and how they can support epidemiological and biostatistical projects. Please connect with us to learn more about these projects. We are proud to contribute to advancing this critical field and look forward to continuing our efforts to drive positive health outcomes for all.                                   #CSEBConference2023 #Epidemiology #Biostatistics #EveryoneCounts #HealthResearch #Cohort #PopulationHealth

CBC News Article

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A Dalhousie University and McMaster University led project is highlighted in a recent CBC article. The New Frontiers in Research Fund supported research is focused on disparities in cancer incidence and outcomes in a Black Nova Scotian community (Shelburne, Nova Scotia). This research is truly interdisciplinary, incorporating natural and social sciences to consider the role of environmental, biological, genetic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle factors with the high cancer incidence and mortality in this community. Atlantic PATH will act as a comparison population using data and biological samples from Nova Scotia participants. Additional details about this project and the new Nova Scotia Environmental Racism Panel in the CBC Article by Josefa Cameron (July 2, 2023): https://bit.ly/44dw9cu