Cancer Prevention
Decreasing Cancer in the Population
Research Themes > Decreasing Cancer in the Population > Cancer Prevention
Cancer Prevention Research
Cancer prevention research at the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute is largely focused on utilizing population-level data to understand who is most at risk of cancer and developing and testing interventions to reduce the incidence of cancer in these populations. The scientists working in this area use traditional epidemiologic study designs as well as novel molecular epidemiologic analyses. For example, they combine demographic, lifestyle, and clinical information with genetic, cellular, biomarker and metabolomic information from collected biological specimens to gain a better understanding of the molecular basis for changes in disease incidence. Together, this information is critical to informing new strategies for preventing cancer and improving the health of the population.
Our programs
Programs that focus on cancer prevention include:
Program Lead: Dr. Paula Robson (interim)
Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research (CEPR) is a dynamic research department within Cancer Care Alberta (CCA), Alberta Health Services (AHS). CEPR conducts population-based research with a focus on cancer; including the areas of cancer incidence, causes, prevention, early detection, morbidity and mortality.
Division Head: Dr. Darren Brenner
The Division of Preventive Oncology is a division within the Department of Oncology at the University of Calgary. Members of the division are trained in epidemiology, biostatistics, behavioural sciences, population and public health. The mission of the division is to reduce cancer burden through innovative and collaborative prevention research and programs.
Director: Dr. Jennifer Vena
Alberta’s Tomorrow Project is the largest health research study in Alberta and aims to reveal what causes and what may prevent cancer and chronic diseases. Following the health of 55,000 men and women for the next 50 years, this long-term cohort study provides exceptionol depth and breadth of detailed information to researchers around the world.
Leads: Dr. Darren Brenner and Dr. Christine Friedenreich
The Canadian Population Attributable Risk of Cancer (ComPARe) Study is conducted by members of the Division of Preventive Oncology, in partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society. It sets out to estimate the current and future burden of cancer due to modifiable lifestyle, environmental and infectious agent risk factors – the largest study of its kind in Canada.
Program Lead: Dr. Miranda Fidler-Benaoudia
The Adolescent and Young Adults Becoming Physically Active After Cancer (AYA-PACT) Trial is led by members of CEPR. Exercise has emerged as a lifestyle factor that improves physical fitness and quality of life after cancer. The goal of the study is to see if health outcomes in AYA cancer survivors can be improved using a home-based, mobile health intervention.
Program Lead: Dr. Darren Brenner
The mission of the Cancer Screening, Detection, and Risk Reduction Research Program (CanDoR) is to transform the future impact of cancer through cutting-edge research. Our multidisciplinary teams of investigators are dedicated to uncovering, enhancing, and highlighting cancer screening and detection strategies using diverse tools and datasets.
Investigators
Miranda Fidler-Benaoudia
Research areas: Late-effects of cancer, cancer risk factors, prevention and detection
Karen Kopciuk
Research areas: Disease and genetic risk estimation, cancer prevention and screening in Indigenous populations
Lin Yang
Research areas: Physical activity and sedentary behaviour in cancer prevention and survivorship
Decreasing Cancer in the Population — Programs & Initiatives
