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What’s New With the OHS?

Since 2010, the Ontario Health Study (OHS) has been working hard to build a platform for chronic disease research. Working together with the research community and Ontarians across the province we are now following the health of about 225,000 people and have collected more than 40,000 blood samples. We’re building a database of health information and a biobank so researchers can better understand the link between genetics, lifestyle and environment—and the role they play in our health.

In this section, you’ll find information about the various Study activities and upcoming initiatives.

Blood tubes in the laboratory centrifuge

Ontario Health Study begins whole genome sequencing to enrich data holdings

Apr 5, 2021 // Study Updates

The Ontario Health Study is launching an initiative to sequence the whole genomes of more than 40,000 participants from across Ontario. Samples from more than 9,600 Study participants have already been genotyped, using the UKBIObank Affymetrix arrays. Whole genome sequencing, which measures an individual’s entire genome, will provide additional information that will complement the existing

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The Ontario Health Study (OHS): a resource for cancer etiology and early marker studies

Mar 26, 2021 // Study Updates

  In this prospective cohort study of 225,620 participants, 10,436 incident cancers were ascertained over an average 8-yr follow-up, including 1,645 breast, 907 lung, 840 colorectal, 509 bladder, 227 pancreatic, and 181 ovarian cancer cases. The proportion of cancers diagnosed at stage III/IV was highest for pancreatic (69%) and oral (69%), followed by lung (66%),

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The Effect of COVID-19 on Cancer Patients and Survivors

Mar 26, 2021 // Study Updates

  Cancer patients and survivors perceive a high risk of being harmed by COVID-19 and were more likely to adopt preventive measures; they were less likely to contract the virus, perhaps as a result. The pandemic has presented the healthcare delivery system with unprecedented challenges, profoundly affecting cancer patients, and has catalyzed the rapid adoption

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