October 15, 2010
OTTAWA – The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veterans Affairs, announced today that the Government of Canada will be conducting a Canadian Forces Cancer and Mortality Study.
The health study is funded and led by Canadian Forces Health Services Group at the Department of National Defence (DND) in collaboration with Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) and Statistics Canada. The study will provide essential information about causes of death and incidence of cancer among CF personnel who have enrolled since 1972.
"The Government of Canada is pleased to announce this initiative as it allows health care professionals with the Department of National Defence and Veterans Affairs Canada to have a better picture of the health of military personnel. The data may well help mitigate occupational risks for serving personnel and improve opportunities for prevention," explains Minister MacKay. "As Canadian Forces personnel are protecting Canadians and contributing to international missions, they are exposed to unusual circumstances and environments. This study will help shape health policies and programs to ensure the Government of Canada is doing its utmost to protect Canadian troops."
"It is important for us to be involved with this study," says Minister Blackburn. "This research, the first of its kind in Canada, will help us ensure that appropriate services are in place for Veterans, and that our programs meet the needs of all Veterans and their families, now and in the future."
The study cohort includes an estimated 315,000 serving and former military personnel, who enrolled in the CF after January 1, 1972. DND, VAC and Statistics Canada will collaborate on the linkage of the military cohort database to the national mortality and cancer databases in order to determine mortality rates and cancer incidence. Initial mortality results are expected to be available in 2011, while cancer linkage and analysis will be conducted from 2011 to 2012.
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For more information:
Department of National Defence’s Media Liaison Office at (613) 996-2353
Veterans Affairs Canada’s Media Relations at (613) 992-7468
