Vancouver, BC - In six months, nine Canadians have been diagnosed with lung cancer while participating in a Terry Fox Research Institute study for the early detection of lung cancer. The study is funded in partnership with the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer.

The diagnosed participants live in Halifax, Quebec City, Hamilton and Vancouver and were enrolled in the program currently under way in these cities. The early detection study is taking place in three other cities as well -- Ottawa, Toronto and Calgary.

"The majority of the participants that we have found to have lung cancer are in the early stage of the disease, but there are also a couple that have a more advanced stage of the disease. But this is expected in an early stage detection program," says Dr. Stephen Lam, one of the study's lead researchers. Dr. Lam is chair, Provincial Lung Tumor Group, BC Cancer Agency and professor of medicine, University of British Columbia.

He says the diagnosed participants are people without obvious symptoms who took part in the program. Dr. Lam says that if they hadn't participated, "it is likely the cancer would not be detected until later on when they had symptoms and by that time most would have an advanced stage of the disease."

Six hundred people are currently enrolled in the study, which began recruiting participants last fall and aims to enroll 2,500 current and former smokers nationally over 24 months. The joint study was announced in September 2008 by the Terry Fox Research Institute and the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer who are providing $6.6 million in funding over five years. It is one of many translational research projects funded by the Partnership.

The study uses a unique combination of a questionnaire and tests of blood and breath to determine the effectiveness of these readily accessible and low cost detection techniques for lung cancer as a first step in early detection, streaming those identified as being at higher risk for the costlier, but more sensitive, spiral CT and bronchoscopy. It has the potential to revolutionize the detection and treatment of lung cancer, which remains Canada's leading cause of cancer deaths.

"A unique aspect of this study is that we are using a risk assessment model using multiple parameters which can actually decipher who is truly at risk for lung cancer. This is much better than other models that have been used before. This model is very unique and accurate because it incorporates family history, educational level, body mass index, and also if there is a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in addition to age and smoking," says Dr. Lam.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Canada and around the world, killing 20,000 in Canada * and 1.2 million worldwide. That is more than colorectal, breast and prostate cancers combined. By 2020, it is projected that lung cancer will be the fifth highest killer among all diseases.**

"This study is designed to evaluate the possibility of combining low-cost techniques to identify more accurately individuals who are at risk for lung cancer. The study participants are making history in cancer research by contributing to the development and potential implementation of a national early lung cancer detection program that is timely and affordable," says TFRI President and Scientific Director Dr. Victor Ling.

The study is still open for recruitment. Current or former smokers 50 years of age or older who have smoked for 30 years or more who are interested to find out if they are eligible to take part can call: 1-888-505-TFRI (8374).

NOTE TO MEDIA:

Interviews with study participants (at various sites) may be arranged

About TFRI
Founded and funded by The Terry Fox Foundation, the Terry Fox Research Institute.
(TFRI), is a Canada-wide not-for-profit institute with headquarters in Vancouver, British Columbia. It works in partnership with provincial cancer research and care organizations dedicated to ensuring today's best cancer science becomes tomorrow's affordable medicine. TFRI was established in October 2007, with funding from the Province of British Columbia and the Terry Fox Foundation.

Media Contacts:
Kelly Curwin
Terry Fox Research Institute
604-675-8000 ext. 7606
kcurwin@tfri.ca
www.tfri.ca
* Canadian Cancer Statistics 2008, Canadian Cancer Society
** Murray CJ, Lopez AD. Alternative projections of mortality and disability by cause
1990-2020: Global Burden of Disease Study. Lancet 1997;349:1498-504.

Lung Study /Participating Centres

BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC 1-888-988-LUNG (5864)
University of Calgary, Health and Sciences Centre, Calgary AB 1-403-210-6862
Juravinski Cancer Centre, Hamilton ON 1-866-966-LUNG (5864)
Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto ON 1-866-866-4922
Ottawa Hospital Regional Cancer Centre, ON 1-613-737-7700 ext. 75212
Hopital Laval, Quebec City, QC 1-877-262-0222
Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax NS 1-902-473-1913