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05-01-08 #5
Major new American Cancer Society study looks to Mt. Vernon for participants
    The American Cancer Society is looking to Mt. Vernon residents to play a direct role in improving the lives of future generations by participating in this historic study. The Society will be signing up volunteers for its Cancer Preventions Study –3 (CPS-3) at the Relay For Life of Mt. Vernon on June 13^th from 6pm-10pm at Memorial Field.
     The study which will enroll a diverse population of half a million people across the United States will help researchers better understand the lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer and will further efforts to eliminate cancer as a major health concern for future generations.
     Memorial Field will be one of over 110 enrollment sites currently scheduled for 2008, nearly double the number of sites that took place in 2007.
     Participants must be between the ages of 30-65, must never have been diagnosed with cancer and must be willing to make a long-term commitment to the study, which simply means filling out follow up surveys at their home periodically. To enroll in the study, individuals will be asked to complete a brief written survey, provide a waist measurement and provide a small blood sample and the Relay For Life enrollment site.
     “This is a once in a generation opportunity for Americans to participate in lifesaving cancer research” said Eugenia Calle, PHD, American Cancer Society, Director of Analytic Epidemiology, who is overseeing the study. “While we have been conducting these types of studies for decades our world class research department can only study new and emerging cancer risks if members of the community are willing to become involved.”
     Researchers will use the date from CPS-3 to build on evidence from a series of America Cancer Society studies that began in the 1950’s and involved hundreds of thousands of participants. The Hammon-Horn Study and previous Cancer Prevention Studies (CPS-1 and CPS-II) have played a major role in understanding cancer prevention and risk, and have contributed significantly to the scientific literature and to the development of public health guidelines and recommendations. Those studies confirmed the link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer, showed that obesity increases the risk of several cancers and linked aspirin use to a lower death rate from colon cancer. The current study, CPS-2, began in 1982 and is still ongoing. But changes in lifestyle and the understanding of cancer in the more than two decades since its launch make it important to begin a new cohort.
     The Relay For Life of Mt. Vernon on June 13^th at Memorial Field will be the only time CPS-3 will be enrolling in Westchester County this year. While initial enrollment takes just 20 to 30 minutes, the study is expected to produce benefits for decades to come. “While science can do a lot to explain the biology and genetics of cancer, some of the most valuable information we have is a direct result of the contributions of dedicated individuals over several generations,” said Dr. Calle. “We are once again looking to the dedication, compassion and generosity of Americans to come through and help us provide answers that we know will save lives and improve the outlook for future generations.”
     For more information or to learn how to become involved in CPS-3, visit www.cancer.org/cps3 or email cps3@cancer.org, or call toll free, 1.888.604.5888.