Residents of the Upstate have an opportunity to participate in a historic study that has the potential to change the face of cancer for future generations. Men and women between the ages of 30 and 65 who have never been diagnosed with cancer are needed to participate in the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3).
CPS-3 will enroll a diverse population of up to 300,000 people across the United States and Puerto Rico. The opportunity for local residents to enroll in CPS-3 is being made possible in partnership with Gibbs Cancer Center during Tuesday, May 15 from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and Thursday, May 17 from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
CPS-3 will help researchers better understand the lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer. “My mom is a two-time cancer survivor and I’m doing all I can to make sure my children don’t have to say that … I really believe this (CPS-3) is part of the answer,” stated one study participant.
To enroll in the study, individuals will be asked to read and sign an informed consent form; complete a comprehensive survey packet that asks for information on lifestyle, behavioral, and other factors related to your health; have your waist circumference measured; and give a small blood sample. Upon completion of this process, the Society will send periodic follow-up surveys to update your information and annual newsletters with study updates and results. The in-person enrollment process takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. Periodic follow-up surveys of various lengths are expected to be sent every few years to individuals.
“Many individuals diagnosed with cancer struggle to answer the question, ‘What caused my cancer?’ In many cases, we don’t know the answer,” said Alpa V. Patel, Ph.D., principal investigator of CPS-3. “CPS-3 will help us better understand what factors cause cancer, and once we know that, we can be better equipped to prevent cancer.”