American Cancer Society Brings Research to the Public

Local residents encouraged to enroll in historic research study May 7 

Nearly 100 local residents are already registered to participate in a historic grassroots cancer research effort scheduled to take place at the Burbank YMCA on Tuesday, May 7, 2013. 

The Cancer Prevention Study, called CPS-3, will help the American Cancer Society researchers better understand the genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that cause or prevent cancer, which will ultimately save lives. 

Walk-Ins Are Welcome and Public Support Is Critical 
“This is great news to see such interest and support from the Reading community. So many are doing their part to save more lives and we welcome the public to join in this effort,” says Michelle Wolf, Vice President of Health Initiatives for the American Cancer Society’s New England Division. 
Men and women between the ages of 30 and 65 who have never been previously diagnosed with cancer are encouraged to come to the YMCA to join this research study. To learn more visitcancer.org/cps3ne or call toll-free 1-888-604-5888. 
Taking less than 30 minutes in total, individuals will go to the location below, read/sign a consent form, complete a brief survey, have a waist circumference measurement, and give a small blood sample.  At home, participants will receive and complete a survey about lifestyle, behavioral, and other factors related to their health. The Society will send follow-up surveys and newsletters with study updates and results. The initial and follow-up surveys completed at home will take less than an hour to complete and are expected to be sent every few years.   

Where and When 
Tuesday, May 7, 2013 
3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 
Burbank YMCA 
36 Arthur Lord Drive, Reading, MA 

RESULTS OF PRIOR AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY STUDIES 
“This grassroots effort to acquire information from the general public for research purposes is nothing new to the American Cancer Society,” according to Meredith Elkins, Senior Vice President of Communications. “This work began with a series of studies in the 1950s that collectively involved millions of volunteer participants,” she added. 
Those research studies included the Hammond-Horn Study and previous Cancer Prevention Studies -- CPS-1 and CPS-2. They have played a major role in understanding cancer prevention and risk, and have contributed significantly to the scientific basis and development of public health guidelines and recommendations. 
The results of those studies confirmed the link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer, demonstrated the link between larger waist size and increased death rates from cancer and other causes, and showed the considerable impact of air pollution on heart and lung conditions. The current study, CPS-2, began in 1982 and is still ongoing. 
According to Elkins, changes in lifestyle and in the understanding of cancer in the more than two decades since its launch make it important to begin a new study, which is why the Society is bringing these research enrollment opportunities to the public via worksites and health systems. 
For more information or to learn how to become involved with CPS-3, visit cancer.org/cps3, email cps3@cancer org, or call toll-free 1-888-604-5888.