Between May 22 and June 20, the BC Cancer Agency’s BC Generations Project will be recruiting North Shore residents through its temporary assessment centre in North Vancouver.
Part of a national research effort to explore how genetics, environment, lifestyle and behavior contribute to the risk of developing cancer and other chronic diseases, the BC Generations Project has already enrolled more than 21,000 participants. It hopes to net more than 1,000 more during a month-long stint in North Vancouver, where it will sign up participants through its assessment centre at 219-1940 Lonsdale Avenue.
Any BC resident aged 35-69 is eligible to join. Participation involves completing a health questionnaire, providing body measurements and donating blood and urine samples. Assessment centre appointments are an optional yet informative part of the project. They include bone density, body mass and blood pressure measurements, which are also provided to the participant. Individuals who are unable to come for an appointment can also join the study by signing up to receive a mail-in questionnaire.
“We’re reaching out to residents from Deep Cove to Squamish to join the study,” explains Dr. John Spinelli, the study’s principal investigator and a distinguished scientist at the BC Cancer Agency. “This truly is a meaningful way for people to make a lasting contribution to the health of future generations.”
The BC Generations Project’s North Shore assessment centre is funded by the BC Cancer Foundation. To book an assessment centre appointment, simply fill out our online registration form or call 604-675-8221.
I live in Whistler, are we able to participate?
Thanks,
Sandee Bathgate
Hi Sandee – If it’s convenient for you to visit, we can certainly book you an appointment! We’d love to attract people from a little further away, such as Whistler, the Sunshine Coast and the Gulf Islands. You can use our toll-free number to book: 1-877-675-8221.
Do you want participants who have had cancer before?
Hi Linda, yes we welcome all residents of BC, whatever their previous medical history. You just have to be between the ages of 35 to 69 to be eligible.
Is this study open to cancer survivors or only those that have not been touched by the disease?
Hi Janette, we welcome all residents of BC, whatever their previous medical history. You just have to be between the ages of 35 to 69 to be eligible. Thanks so much for your interest.
If there isn’t a Lifelab in my town, will the local hospital take the samples? I live on the sunshine coast and would have to take a ferry to Vancouver or Comox (if it is on Vancouver island). This becomes a large expense due to travel costs and a days wages.
Hi Anne, sorry for the delay but I had to confirm details with our Samples Manager. We have partnerships with LifeLabs, BC Biomedical and Valley Medical for the collection of blood samples from BC Generations participants. If you live in a community without one of these labs our recommendation would be to hold onto your lab requisition until such time you visit a location where one is present. We will gladly accept your donated blood sample when it is convenient for you to donate. If you are ever visiting or shopping in a town where there are one of the above labs, we would be very grateful if you could take the time to submit blood and urine samples.
Best regards, and thank you for joining the BC Generations Project.
Eunice