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March 10, 2010

American Cancer Society launches major new study

Submitted by Gordon Hospital Dalton Daily Citizen

CALHOUN — Researchers at the American Cancer Society are beginning to enroll 500,000 adults across the United States for its Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3).

This historic study will help the society better understand the lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer, and ultimately eliminate cancer as a major health concern for future generations. Enrollment for the study will be conducted at the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life in Gordon County from 5-9 p.m. on Friday, May 7 at the Northwest Georgia Regional Fairgrounds. The Gordon County Relay For Life is one of only two  sites in Georgia and many around the country this year where individuals may enroll in the new study.

“This study is extremely important to further our understanding not only of what factors cause cancer, but the processes by which cancer develops,” said Mary Wright, Mission Delivery manager for the American Cancer Society in Gordon County. “We are extremely grateful to the half a million men and women across the country who we hope will make this vital contribution to help fight cancer by helping make the study a success.”

Researchers are looking for a diverse group of men and women between the ages of 30 and 65 who have never had cancer and are willing to complete a mailed survey every two years during the course of the study, which is expected to continue for several decades. And while the study is expected to last for years and yield lifesaving results, initial enrollment will take just 30 minutes. At the relay event, individuals will be asked to complete a brief written survey, provide a waist measurement, and give a small blood sample. Follow-up surveys will be sent within a few months of enrollment, as well as every few years to update participants’ health behavior information. For more information or to learn how to participate, visit www.cancer.org/cps3, email cps3@cancer org, or call toll-free 1-888-604-5888.

CPS-3 will build on evidence from three previous studies from the American Cancer Society, the first of which began in the 1950s: Hammond-Horn, CPS-I, and CPS-II, which together have played a major role in the understanding of cancer prevention and contributed significantly to the scientific literature and to the development of public health guidelines and recommendations. For example:

Hammond-Horn confirmed the link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer.

CPS-I was the landmark study that linked the significant impact of being overweight or obese to the risk of cancer occurrence and death.

CPS-II was among the earliest research to show that individuals who use aspirin or hormone replacement therapy have a lower death rate from colon cancer.

CPS-I and CPS-II helped identify the substantial impact of air pollution on cardiopulmonary conditions, motivating the Environmental Protection Agency to propose more stringent limits on particulate air pollution.

Scientific evidence suggests that about one-third of cancer deaths are related to nutrition, excess weight or obesity and physical inactivity.

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 13 regional divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information, call toll free 800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

 

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