TORONTO, March 11 /CNW/ - Dr. Tom Hudson, President and Scientific Director of the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) today welcomed the Government of Canada's announcement of support for cancer control with a renewal of the mandate of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC) for five years and $250 million in funding.

"We are very pleased to see the excellent support that CPAC has received from the federal government. CPAC initiatives to reduce the burden of cancer will have a significant impact on all Canadians. The continued mandate and new funding will allow us to continue our important collaboration with CPAC on the Ontario Health Study (OHS) and other initiatives," said Dr. Hudson.

The OHS is a participating study of CPAC's Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project, which consists of a further four regional studies across Canada. The aim of these studies is to investigate the factors that increase individual and community risk of developing cancer, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, Alzheimer's disease and other common diseases.

Dr. Lyle Palmer, Executive Scientific Director, Ontario Health Study said, "Building healthier communities is the mission of the Ontario Health Study - whether it's through active health promotion or through innovative population health research that will build the healthier communities of tomorrow. It is because of studies like this one that we know that there is a link between cancer and smoking. I encourage everyone in Ontario who is at least 18 years old to join the Ontario Health Study and leave a similarly profound legacy for future generations." Anyone wishing to join the Ontario Health Study may do so by visiting the website at: https://ontariohealthstudy.ca/.

OICR is a centre of excellence dedicated to research in the prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In its first five years, OICR has distinguished itself by taking on significant challenges in cancer research with multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional teams to tackle the incidence, diagnosis, management, and morbidity and mortality of cancer. OICR has invested significantly in translational research that will move new cancer-related discoveries directly from the bench to practical applications in patients. For more information please visit the website at www.oicr.on.ca.

For further information:
Rhea Cohen
Director of Communications
Ontario Institute for Cancer Research
Email: rhea.cohen@oicr.on.ca
Telephone: 416-673-6642
Mobile: 416-671-2846