Cancer study coming to Madison Co.

The study, which will enroll a diverse population of half-million people across the United States, will help researchers better understand the lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer, and will further efforts to eliminate cancer as a major health concern for future generations. The Madison County Relay site will be one of 119 enrollment sites scheduled for 2008, nearly double the number of sites that took part in 2007.

Participants must be between the ages of 30 and 65, must never have been diagnosed with cancer, and must be willing to make a long-term commitment to the study, which simply means filling out follow-up surveys at their home periodically. To enroll in the study, individuals will be asked to complete a brief written survey, provide a waist measurement, and give a small blood sample at the Relay enrollment site, in addition to completing a baseline survey at their home. For the first time in more than 50 years of conducting these kinds of studies, the Society is making it possible for participants to complete their baseline and follow-up questionnaires online.

"This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Americans to participate in lifesaving cancer research," said Eugenia E. Calle, Ph.D., American Cancer Society director of analytic epidemiology, who is overseeing the study. "While we have been conducting these types of studies for decades, our world-class research department can only study new and emerging cancer risks if members of the community are willing to become involved."

"We have an unprecedented opportunity to participate in research in our community," says Jessica Gross, chair of the Madison County Relay for Life,  "This is the chance to be a part of something bigger than ourselves and personally participate in research that could ultimately lead to the elimination of cancer as a major health problem for this and future generations."

Researchers will use the data from CPS-3 to build on evidence from a series of American Cancer Society studies that began in the 1950s and involved hundreds of thousands of volunteer participants. The Hammond-Horn Study and previous Cancer Prevention Studies (CPS-I, and CPS-II) have played a major role in understanding cancer prevention and risk, and have contributed significantly to the scientific literature and to the development of public health guidelines and recommendations. Those studies confirmed the link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer, showed that obesity increases the risk of several cancers, and linked aspirin use to a lower death rate from colon cancer.

The current study, CPS-II, began in 1982 and is still ongoing. But 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 cohort.

The Madison County Relay for Life on June 13 at the West Jefferson High School will be the only time CPS-3 will be enrolling in central Ohio this year. While initial enrollment takes just 20 to 30 minutes, the study is expected to produce benefits for decades to come.

"While science can do a lot to explain the biology and genetics of cancer, some of the most valuable information we have is a direct result of the contributions of dedicated individuals over several generations," Calle said.

"We are once again looking to the dedication, compassion, and generosity of Americans to come through and help us provide answers that we know will save lives and improve the outlook for future generations."

For more information or to learn how to become involved with CPS-3, visit www.cancer.org/cps3, email cps3@cancer org, or call toll-free 1-888-604-5888.