Cancer Study Incorporated in Relay for Life

The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life will be held at on May 18-19 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. This year, residents can sign up for a cancer study that will make a difference in cancer prevention for future generations.

The Relay for Life is a team event, and participants walk the track throughout the night and have to raise a minimum of $100. What's special about this year is that the ACS Epidemiology Research Division has chosen the North Reading relay as an enrollment site for their Cancer Prevention Study 3 (CPS3).

The cancer prevention study enrollment will be on Friday, May 18 from 5 to 9 p.m. and the study will focus on why cancer happens and help to understand how to prevent the disease. You do not have to be taking part in the relay to enroll in the study.

"If we don’t study a population, we don’t know," Chairperson of the Cancer Prevention Study 3 Janet Vincze said. "I'm a cancer survivor, so I cant participate in this study, but if I could I would.” 

Criteria

Individuals who fit the following criteria will be eligible:

1. You are between the ages of 30 and 65
2. You have never had cancer before (you can participate if you have had skin cancer, but not melanoma)
3. You are willing to make a commitment for a period of 20 to 30 years to receive follow up surveys. Enrollment is the only time you have to appear in person and then every two to three years you would get a survey that will take about 15 minutes to complete. 

What to expect

From start to finish the enrollment time will be about 30 or 40 minutes. You will enter stations under a big tent at the relay and welcomers will review your criteria. Then you will go to a different station to complete your first survey.

Next, you will move on to a third station where your waist measurement will be taken.

"This is a lifestyle study, not a clinical study," Vincze said.

At the fourth station, nurses and teachers will go over your questionnaire with you and ensure that it is filled out properly. Then you will get a wrist band.

At the fifth and final station, Quest Diagnostics will be on site to draw blood.

After the initial enrollment, you will get an extensive questionnaire within two weeks. The American Cancer Society plans to enroll 300,000 people across the United States and Puerto Rico.

You may remember hearing about their first and second cancer prevention studies. The first study proved that smoking causes lung cancer and the second was an obesity and cancer lifestyle study that started in the late 80's.

The third study will focus on why cancer happens.

"This is just one thing you can do to help," Vincze said. “I do believe it will benefit, maybe our children, but if not definitely their children.”

This study will last a minimum of 20 years. Participate in honor of someone you lost to cancer, or for someone fighting their own battle with the disease right now.

Pre-regsiter by emailing cps3nr@gmail.com or calling 978-664-3479.

Vincze said, "We aren’t asking for money, we're just asking for time and a little bit of blood."