The Canadian Population Attributable Risk of Cancer (ComPARe) study estimates the number and percentage of cancer cases in Canada in 2015 due to more than 20 modifiable lifestyle, environmental and infectious agent risk factors.
The study also estimates how changes to these risk factors through prevention could affect the number of cancer cases in the future (up to 2042).
The ComPARe study aimed to:
The ComPARe study results are for anyone interested in cancer prevention. Cancer researchers can use this information to support their work. Healthcare providers can use it to educate their patients. Healthcare decision-makers can use it to determine which programs and services to prioritize. And you can use it to understand what you can do to reduce your cancer risk.
The ComPARe study was composed of 5 subject-specific teams. Each team led part of the study and was overseen by the study coordination team.
Co-Principal investigator
Alberta Health Services
Co-Principal investigator
University of Calgary
Alberta Health Services
Alberta Health Services
Alberta Health Services
Alberta Health Services
Alberta Health Services
Queen’s University
Carleton University
Occupational Cancer Research Centre
Oregon State University
Queen’s University
Queen’s University
Queen’s University
McGill University
McGill University
McGill University
Cancer Care Ontario
Canadian Cancer Society
Canadian Cancer Society
Health Quality Ontario
Cancer Care Ontario
McMaster University
The ComPARe study teams brought together experts across Canada in cancer epidemiology, biostatistics, cancer risk factors and knowledge translation.
The ComPARe study was supported by the Knowledge Translation Advisory Committee. The committee included the following key collaborators:
The ComPARe study examined more than 20 risk factors related to lifestyle, the environment and infectious agents and more than 30 cancer types associated with these risk factors.
Risk factors were selected based on the scientific evidence of their impact on cancer risk and their potential preventability.
The number of cancer cases due to a risk factor was estimated using a statistical measure called the population attributable risk (PAR), from which ComPARe derives its name. Learn more in our overview of the ComPARe study methods, or see this BMJ Open article for details about the methods.
The ComPARe study was funded by a CCS-Partner Prevention Research Grant from the Canadian Cancer Society (grant #703106).
The Burden of Occupational Cancer study aimed to determine the number and percentage of cancers that are caused by exposure to carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) in the workplace. It also estimated the economic costs associated with occupational cancers.
The study was a collaboration between researchers at the Occupational Cancer Research Centre (at Cancer Care Ontario), CAREX Canada, the Institute for Work & Health, the University of British Columbia, l’Université de Montréal, l’Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail and Imperial College London.
Find out more about the Burden of Occupational Cancer study.
The study looked at cancer cases caused by exposure to 34 workplace carcinogens. Ten of them are included in the dashboard.
The Burden of Occupational Cancer study was led by the Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC) and was supported by a Multisector Team Grant in Prevention Research from the Canadian Cancer Society (grant #701285-00).
