Londoners are being asked to help in what is being called the most ambitious health study ever done in Canada. Researchers with the Ontario Health Study are in London this week to collect information and blood samples from volunteers.
Dr. Mark Purdue says people have the chance to be part of a genetic database that could provide unprecedented insight into chronic diseases.
"Over 225,000 people have completed a questionnaire asking about environment exposures and lifestyle habits," says Dr. Mark Purdue, Executive Scientific Director of the OHS. "We'll be tracking the health of these participants for many years to better understand the factors that cause cancer and other chronic diseases."
Researchers have set up at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn, where over 200 Londoners have already scheduled appointments to provide blood samples and other health information for the study.
"We're creating a resource that will be available to researchers in Canada, and indeed worldwide, to potentially use to help in their research to identify the cause of, not only cancer, but other diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and dementia," says Dr. Purdue.
Anyone interested in volunteering to be part of the study can schedule an appointment at www.ontariohealthstudy.ca.
