The number of elderly Canadians is increasing as the baby boomers age. The healthcare needs of this growing group will increasingly influence the volume of health care that will be required in the country as a whole. Insight into how to promote healthy aging, and advice that can be provided to our population as it ages, will influence both our well-being and Canada's level of prosperity, as well as the quality of life of a large segment of our population.
A minority of Canadians are fortunate to be disease-free and have a good quality of life beyond the age of 85. These people represent a group who may either lack susceptibility factors that contribute to disease in the majority of people or may possess resistance factors that enhance their ability to resist disease and prolong lifespan. Part but not all of the extended life of these individuals is expected to be due to avoidance of lifestyle and environmental risk factors. Genetic variants found to be associated with healthy aging, or associated with protection against specific common age-related diseases will be useful as prognostics in the tailoring of individual disease prevention programs.
The Healthy Aging Study aims to identify genetic factors that underlie healthy aging and resistance to common age-related diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and pulmonary disease. Our team is led by Angela Brooks-Wilson, and includes Nhu Le (Cancer Control Research, BCCA) and Denise Daley (iCapture, St.Paul's Hospital and UBC).
Seniors aged 85 or older are invited to participate in the study:
- Individuals 85 years old or older, especially those with 2 or more health issues, such as heart disease, stroke, vascular disease, cancer, lung disease or dementia
- Super seniors who have never been diagnosed with a major health concern such as cardiovascular or heart disease, myocardial infarction or heart attack, stroke or ischemic attack, peripheral vascular disease, lung disease or emphysema, dementia, diabetes mellitus or cancer.
- Individuals 100 years or older
Participation in the study involves:
- Answering questions regarding health and family history by questionnaire
- Providing a saliva or small blood sample (approximately 2 - 3 tablespoons)
- Providing contact information for other eligible relatives
- All information obtained in this study will be kept strictly confidential.
If you or someone you know meet the above criteria and would like to learn more about the Healthy Aging Study, please contact the Research Coordinator:
Amy Williams, Research Coordinator
Phone: 604-675-8151
Fax: 604-675-8178
e-mail: studycoordinator@bcgsc.ca
To donate to support the Super-Seniors Study, please contact Stephanie for assistance:
Stephanie McInnis, Project Manager
Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency
Email: smcinnis@bcgsc.ca
Phone: 604-675-8000 x 7965
Fax: 604-675-8178