Occupational Cancer Research Survey by Ontario Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC)

Dear Sir/Madam,

We, at the newly established Ontario Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC), are requesting your participation in a brief online survey as part of a broad stakeholder consultation. We hope you will help us with this activity to learn more about the issue of cancer in the workplace. (Please see below for more information on the new OCRC.)

Please set aside 15 to 30 minutes to link to and complete the online survey prior to July 6th, 2009: Click Here to Access Survey

Results of the survey will be used to help the Centre develop its research agenda and to identify collaborations and partnerships with interested individuals and organizations. We are seeking feedback from as many stakeholders, experts in the field, and potential collaborators as possible. Please pass this weblink on to colleagues/friends who might be interested and willing to complete this short survey. If you are unable to access this online survey, please email ocrc@cancercare.on.ca requesting that we send you a PDF copy.

The information collected will be securely stored and analyzed only by the OCRC staff. Release and/or publication of survey results will not identify responses from individuals. You may provide your name and contact information, or you may choose to remain anonymous altogether (i.e. not identifiable to OCRC staff). If you choose to remain anonymous, we will not be able to follow-up on potential collaborations and preferences for future engagement. In addition, we may wish to further discuss your ideas with you as part of a more in-depth telephone consultation later this summer. Providing your name and contact information on the survey will allow us to do this.

We look forward to hearing from you and thank you in advance for your participation.


Sincerely,

Aaron Blair, Ph.D.
Interim Director
Occupational Cancer Research Centre
505 University Ave.
Toronto, Ontario
M5G 1X3
416-971-9800 X….




Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC) – A Backgrounder


A New Research Centre in Ontario, Canada
The Occupational Cancer Research Centre is a joint undertaking funded by Cancer Care Ontario, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, and the Canadian Cancer Society's Ontario Division, and developed in collaboration with the United Steelworkers. This innovative and unique partnership brings together health, workplace safety, labour and industry groups to identify, prevent and ultimately eliminate exposures to cancer-causing substances in the workplace, through surveillance, research, capacity building and knowledge transfer and exchange.


Why Now
Although studies of the workplace have made significant contributions to our understanding of the causes of cancer, there still is no good estimate of the number of occupationally-related cancers occurring in Ontario residents, or in other jurisdictions. What is known is that industrial workers are more likely to have been exposed to potentially hazardous chemicals than white collar workers and perhaps 20-30% of cancers in this subpopulation might be related to such exposures. While there is convincing evidence that a number of products and processes used in the workplace cause cancer, there are many additional substances where the relationship with cancer is not clear.

How the Centre Will Work
A Steering Committee with broad stakeholder representation has been assembled to provide oversight to the fledgling centre. A Scientific Advisory Committee will guide the Centre's research activities.

Dr. Aaron Blair, who has made a number of outstanding contributions to the fields of occupational and environmental epidemiology, is the Interim Director of the Centre. He will provide leadership while a permanent director is being recruited.

Collaboration and partnership with other institutions and groups involved in promoting a healthy workplace is a core operating principle of the Centre.




For further information: http://www.cancercare.on.ca/about/programs/ocrc/



Occupational Hygiene Association of Ontario
6519B Mississauga Rd
Mississauga, ON L5N 1A6