CH&E Seminar Series – Dr. Kelvin Fong (Sept 2023)

Posted on August 24, 2023 by pathwp

We are looking forward to attend our colleague, Dr. Kelvin Fong’s presentation in the Dalhousie University Department of Community Health and Epidemiology‘s Seminar Series on September 13th at 12pm AST (11am EST). Dr. Fong’s presentation is entitled, “How does the Environment Contribute to Health in Atlantic Canada?” Dr. Fong is an assistant professor at Dalhousie University in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and cross-appointed in Community Health and Epidemiology. In 2022, they established the Laboratory for Environmental Assessment and Population Health (LEAPH), which focuses on environmental health disparities. For more information, including how to attend the seminar, please refer to: https://events.dal.ca/event/2364-champe-seminar-series.

Melanoma Risk in Atlantic Canada

Posted on August 22, 2023September 7, 2023 by pathwp

New work from Dr. Ivan Litvinov and Dr. François Lagacé at McGill University includes Atlantic PATH participants and highlights why Atlantic Canadians are at higher risk for developing melanoma (skin cancer). The SunFit project conducted focus groups in 22 communities across Atlantic Canada. Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island have the highest rates of melanoma in the country, while rates in New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador are in line with the Canadian average. The team compared UV exposure and relevant behavioural factors and found that higher-income participants had an increased risk, but that participants with a lower income were more likely to work outdoors and experience occupational sun exposure which increases their risk of developing melanoma. Further, females had less sun exposure and higher rates of sunscreen use compared to males. Additional information: Dr. Litvinov was interviewed on CBC’s Maritime Noon. “N.S. and P.E.I. have higher rats of skin cancer than national average. Here’s why.” August 22, 2023. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/maritimes-skin-cancer-national-average-1.6943582?cmp=rss) McGill University News Room. “Why men, wealthy people and maritime residents are more likely to develop skin cancer.” August 22, 2023. https://www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/channels/news/why-men-wealthy-people-and-maritime-residents-are-more-likely-develop-skin-cancer-349697 Chronicle Herald article. “Dermatologist probes skin cancer rates.” September 7, 2023. https://saltwire.pressreader.com/article/281552295441450

New Publication – Depression, Anxiety and Risk of Cancer

Posted on August 9, 2023August 9, 2023 by pathwp

We are pleased to share that the first results from the Psychosocial Factors and Cancer Incidence (PSY-CA) consortium have been published in Cancer. Led from the Netherlands by Dr. Lonneke van Tuijl and Dr. Joost Dekker, this study includes 18 cohorts with more than 300,000 participants including Atlantic PATH, the Ontario Health Study and CARTaGENE from CanPath. Our local team members include Mr. Yunsong Cui (Atlantic PATH) who completed all local analyses, Dr. Ellen Sweeney (Atlantic PATH) and Dr. Melanie Keats (Dalhousie University). Depression and anxiety have long been hypothesized to be related to an increased cancer risk, but, to date, findings are inconclusive. Individual participant data meta-analyses were performed within the PSY-CA consortium to assess the associations between depression, anxiety, and the incidence of various cancer types (overall, breast, lung, prostate, colorectal, alcohol-related, and smoking-related cancers). Findings from the study indicate that depression and anxiety are not related to increased risk for most cancer outcomes, except for lung and smoking-related cancers. This study shows that key covariates are likely to explain the relationship between depression, anxiety, and lung and smoking-related cancers. Link to publication: https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.34853 Link to Neuroscience News article: https://neurosciencenews.com/depression-anxiety-cancer-23769/

COVID Global Mental Health Consortium Funded – 23 cohorts with 2.8 million participants

Posted on August 8, 2023August 8, 2023 by pathwp

We’re excited to share that the collaborative project, “International Evaluation of Modifiable Social Determinants of Health on COVID-related Mental Health Outcomes” has been approved for funding from the National Institute of Mental Health (Mental Health Research Grant, award number 1RF1MH134638-01). Led by Dr. Jordan Smoller (Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital), Dr. Sarah Bauermeister (University of Oxford), and Dr. André Russowsky Brunoni (University of Sao Paulo), the COVID Global Mental Health Consortium (CGMHC) will produce a global evaluation of pandemic-related mental health outcomes using individual-level harmonized longitudinal data. The CGHMC is comprised of 23 global cohorts representing 2.8 million participants.1 This work will address critical knowledge gaps related to the impact of policy, psychological and social factors on mental health in the COVID-19 pandemic. 2 We look forward to participating in the CGHMC and contributing to this important research. 1 CGMHC cohorts include CanPath, Health and Retirement Study, Brains for Dementia Research, English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, National Study of Health and Development, Oxwell, Generation Scotland, UK Biobank, Igana Mayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance Site, Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, All of Us, Einstein Study, Mass Gen Brigham Biobank, Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Service Members Longitudinal Study, COVID-19 Mental Health Survey, FinnGen, Taiwan Biobank, University of College London COVID Study, The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, COVIDMENT, Qatar Biobank, Brazilian High Risk Cohort Study, and the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA). 2 CanPath was represented on this application by Dr. Ellen Sweeney, Dr. Philip Awadalla, Dr. Robin Urquhart, and Mr. Yunsong Cui. Atlantic PATH is pleased to lead this work on behalf of CanPath.

New Publication – Skin Cancer & Atlantic Canada

Posted on July 28, 2023 by pathwp

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

Posted on July 19, 2023 by pathwp

“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

Posted on July 18, 2023July 19, 2023 by pathwp

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

Posted on July 7, 2023 by pathwp

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

Posted on July 4, 2023 by pathwp

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

CanPath Representation at the Canadian Society for Epidemiology and Biostatistics Conference

Posted on June 26, 2023June 27, 2023 by pathwp

We’re so glad to have representation from Atlantic PATH, CARTaGENE, Manitoba Tomorrow Project, Ontario Health Study, and CanPath at the Canadian Society for Epidemiology and Biostatistics Conference in Halifax this week! CanPath and the regional cohorts are well represented in the following sessions: Monday, June 26, 2023 Workshop 1 – Mentorship for Junior Faculty and Funding Opportunities: How to Break into the Game as a Junior Faculty Member [Dr. Vikki Ho, Scientific Co-Director, CARTaGENE] Workshop 3 – Data Repositories in Canada: Overview and Data Access 101 [Dr. Robin Urquhart, Scientific Director, Atlantic PATH] Tuesday, June 27, 2023 Concurrent Sessions B5: Lifecourse and Chronic Disease Epidemiology – Leveraging population health cohorts to identify cancer biomarkers in blood up to seven years prior to diagnosis Presenter: Nicholas Chang, PhD candidate, OICR Poster Session The Impact of Alcohol Consumption and Single Nucleode Polymorphisms on the High Rates of Colorectal Cancer in Atlantic Canada Presenter: Carlee Feinstein, Research Assistant, St. FX Authors: Carlee A Feinstein, Derrick G Lee, Allison Walsh, Tiffany S Bondo The Manitoba Tomorrow Project: A Canadian Cohort Presented by: Dr. Travis Hrubeniuk, Project Lead, Manitoba Tomorrow Project Authors: Travis Hrubeniuk, Sachin Katyal, Donna Turner Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (CanPath): Celebrang Compleng the Provincial Map and Cross-Province Data Linkage Presented by: Dr. John McLaughlin, Executive Director, CanPath Authors: John McLaughlin, Riaz Alvi, Philip Awadalla, Parveen Bhatti, Trevor Dummer, Jason Hicks, Vikki Ho, Grace Shen-Tu, Kimberly Skead, Ellen Sweeney, Donna Turner, Robin Urquhart, Jennifer Vena Examining the impact of inflammatory bowel disease on colorectal cancer risk in Atlantic Canada Presented by: Livia Clarke, Research Assistant, Dalhousie Medical School / St. FX Authors: Livia Clarke, Derrick Lee, Ellen Sweeney The Impact of Abnormal Sleep and Circadian Disruption on Atlantic Canada’s High Rate of Colorectal Cancer Presented by: Alison Walsh, Research Assistant, St. FX Authors: Alison J Walsh, Carlee A Feinstein, Tiffany S Bondoc, Megan K MacGillivray, Derrick G Lee The Ontario Health Study (OHS) Presented by: Sarah Salih, Data Analyst, Ontario Health Study Authors: Victoria Kirsh, Kimberly Skead, Kelly McDonald, Nancy Kreiger, Julian Lile, Karen Menard, John McLaughlin, Sutapa Mukherjee, Lyle Palmer, Vivek Goel, Mark Purdue, Sarah Salih, Philip Awadalla Smoking, aberrant DNA methylaon of the F2RL3 and AHRR genes, and lung cancer risk Presented by: Vikki Ho, Scientific Co-Director, CARTaGENE Authors: Alice Nguyen, Anita Koushiki, Laura Pelland-St. Pierre, Michael Pham, Romain Pasquet, Sherryl Tauylor, Delphine Bosson-Rieutort, Vikki Ho The influence of occupaonal risk factors on DNA methylaon in the AHRR and F2RL3 genes Presented by: Laura Pelland-St-Pierre Authors: Michael Pham, Laura Pelland-St-Pierre, Alice Nguyen, Romain Pasquet, Sherryl Taylor, Delphine Bosson-Rieutort, Anita Koushik, Vikki Ho Wednesday, June 28, 2023 Concurrent Session C5: Cancer Epidemiology II – Exploring Environmental Exposure to Arsenic and Cancer Risk in the Atlantic PATH Cohort using Toxicological and Machine Learning Methods Presenter: Dr. Ellen Sweeney, Research Director, Atlantic PATH Please feel free to contact Atlantic PATH, CanPath or any of the regional cohorts to learn more about these projects!