Owen Sound will be one of three centres for a unique cancer study.
Cancer Care Ontario spokesperson Doctor John McLaughlin says the 50-million dollar Ontario Health Study is the first of its kind.
Doctor McLaughlin explains this long term study is not about looking at already sick patients and trying to treat cancer, but instead it’s about prevention and determining who gets cancer and why.
He says it’s also a first in that it will look at both environmental and genetic aspects.
Doctor McLaughlin explains it will investigate everything from family history, to where we live and work, to what we eat.
Doctor McLaughlin says they’re looking for 150-thousand people between the ages of 35 and 69 to volunteer in the study.
He says volunteers will go through an initial assessment and then be followed up on each year.
Doctor McLaughlin says Grey Bruce was chosen as a focus area because it is representative of both urban and rural living.
The other centres are Mississauga, for its cultural and ethnic diversity, and Sudbury, to represent northern Ontario.
The Owen Sound assessment centre will be located in the Nortown Plaza.
Local people have been hired to staff the centre and are currently undergoing training, with the facility expected to open later this month.
People across Grey Bruce can expect to receive letters in the mail explaining the study and asking for volunteers.