Opinion

Discussion

September 11, 2012

Editorial: Join the fight

All of us who have watched a friend or relative battle cancer know just how agonizing the fight can be. And all of us who have lost a loved one to that disease know just how painful the loss can be.

What would you give to help fight cancer? What would you do if you found out that giving just a few minutes of your time and a small amount of your blood could help scientists make the next big step in detecting, fighting and preventing cancer?

The American Cancer Society (ACS) has begin its third national study of cancer.

“The first was in the 1950s, and they were able to show the link between smoking and lung cancer. The second, in the 1980s, showed that obesity was linked to several types of cancer,” said Cynthia Wilson, an ACS community manager.

The ACS plans to bring the study to 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 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.

You don’t have to be from Dalton or even Whitfield County to take part in the test. Wilson said they want to get people from Murray County and surrounding counties to take part. Wilson says the more people who take part in the survey the better. Scientists will have more data to work with. The ACS has set a target of 300 people for the Dalton part of the study but they’d love to have more, many more.

They’d also love to have plenty of volunteers from groups that don’t often take part in scientific studies, such as Hispanics, blacks and men.

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.

We encourage everyone who can to take part in this study.

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