Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project

A living data source for cancer and chronic disease prevention

The main triggers for cancer are a mix of genetics, behaviour and environmental factors. Understanding all these factors and their long term impact on cancer risk is the goal of the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project — the largest population study in Canada to date.

Over the next several years, five main researchers and their host agencies in five regions will work together to recruit 300,000 Canadians in this “population laboratory.”

The project, sponsored in part by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, will study a random selection of Canadians over the next several decades. It will record what they do. For example, it will track how much they exercise, if they smoke, and how much. Researchers will also collect samples of blood and urine as well as physical information such as weight and height.

Expected impact

This Canadian database will provide policy-makers with information on how to target disease prevention efforts and will provide a legacy for future research worldwide. The high quality data gathered will also be available for the study of other health problems such as diabetes, and heart and lung disease.

In the long term, this project will enhance Canada’s ability to do population research into all chronic diseases, will reduce cancer cases, and will lessen the likelihood of dying from cancer.

Learn more about the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project's regional initiatives: