They have been measured and weighed. They have had their blood pressure taken and their grip strength assessed. They have even provided a sample of their blood and urine, and most crucially, have granted scientists access to their medical records – all in the name of science.
They are the more than 300,000 Canadians who volunteered for the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project (CPTP), which is tracking the development of cancers and chronic diseases in the population over several decades to better understand the risk factors.
“You learn so much about people’s health when you track them over a long time,” said Trevor Dummer, Associate Professor in the School of Population and Public Health, and co-National Scientific Director of the CPTP. “We realized we needed to follow a big cohort here in Canada because we are a unique people with a unique geography.”
