In the 1950s, a massive study by the American Cancer Society (ACS) helped establish the link between smoking and lung cancer. Now, the cancer society wants Dalton area residents to help it take the next big leap detecting and preventing cancer.
“This is a nationwide study that is coming to Dalton. The American Cancer Society will be 100 years old next year, and in that 100 years this will only be the third study of this type it has done,” said Cynthia Wilson, an ACS community manager. “The first was in the 1950s, and they were able to show the link between smoking in lung cancer. The second, in the 1980s, showed that obesity was linked to several types of cancer.”
The ACS hopes to get at least 300,000 nationwide to take part in the study, dubbed CPS-3. They will be in Dalton on Oct. 2 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Oct. 4 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Bradley Wellness Center.
“They’ll be taking a small vial of blood. They’ll measure waist circumference, and they’ll ask people to answer some survey questions,” Wilson said.
The whole process will take about 15 minutes. Wilson said that those who take part in the study will also be sent occasional followup surveys over the coming years by email or mail.
To take part in the study, you must be between 30 and 65 and never have been diagnosed with any cancer other than basal skin cell carcinoma.
“Otherwise, the more diversity we can get, the better. We are particularly hoping to get a lot of Latinos and African-Americans. Men typically don’t participate in medical studies as much as women do, so we are hoping to get a lot of men take part,” she said. “We are basically looking to get a good cross section of the population.”
Wilson says you don’t need to be from Dalton or Whitfield County to take part in the study.
“We would love to have people from Murray County and really all of the surrounding area take part,” she said.
Wilson said they do need people to sign up in advance. To sign up and to find out more about the study go to www.cps3dalton.org. Wilson said the ACS is also looking for companies that will allow the ACS to sign up employees in advance for the study. She says it will only take a few minutes for each employee. Companies that are interested can contact her at (706) 278-1960 or at cynthia.wilson@cancer.org.
Shana Whiteford, executive director of Dalton’s Hamilton Regional Cancer Institute, said the research will help doctors at Hamilton Medical Center and other hospitals treat and prevent cancer.
“Anyone who has had a friend or family member impacted by cancer knows what a battle it can be,” Whiteford said. “This study can help us try to keep our children and grandchildren from having to fight that battle. They more people we can get to take part, the more information we can get, the better.”
Dalton Mayor David Pennington said he and other local officials are “excited” that Dalton has been chosen to take part in the study.
“The study fits right in with what we have always done with the Northwest Georgia Healthcare Partnership to promote physical fitness. There have been studies that show that people who are in good physical shape have less instances of cancer,” Pennington said.
In a statement released by the ACS, Dalton State College Athletic Director Derek Waugh said he has already signed up for the study.
“I am anxious to help in such an important, once-in-a-lifetime endeavor. The Dalton State community has also been registering in great numbers. All of us are committed to the community and want to do our part in Dalton’s effort to help eradicate cancer,” Waugh said.
Local News
September 9, 2012
Dalton area residents asked to take part in cancer study
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