Nearly 300 residents in the Greater Chattanooga area have signed up for an opportunity to participate in an upcoming historic study that has the potential to change the face of cancer for future generations. And now, two weeks away from the event, others are urged to sign up today to take part in the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3) so that cancer’s greatest mysteries can be unlocked.
Men and women between the ages of 30 and 65 who have never been diagnosed with cancer are needed to participate in CPS-3 in Chattanooga. CPS-3 will enroll a diverse population of up to half a million people across the United States and Puerto Rico and will help researchers better understand the lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer.
The opportunity for the Chattanooga-area to enroll in CPS-3 is Aug. 21-25, 2012 in partnership with Cleveland YMCA; Downtown YMCA; Hamilton Place YMCA; Memorial North Park Hospital; Parkridge East Hospital; Parkridge Medical Center; and Urban League of Chattanooga. Those interested in participating are encouraged to visit www.cps3chattanooga.org to schedule an appointment time.
Enrollment will take place at various locations across Greater Chattanooga:
- Parkridge Medical Center, 2333 McCallie Ave: Aug. 21, 4pm-8pm; Aug. 24, 7am-11am
- Parkridge East Hospital, 941 Spring Creek Rd: Aug. 21, 4pm-8pm; Aug. 23, 7am-11am
- YMCA Hamilton Place, 7430 Shallowford Rd: Aug. 22, 3pm-7pm; Aug. 24, 7am-11am; Aug. 25 8am-11am
- Cleveland YMCA, 220 Urbane Rd NE, Cleveland, Tn.: Aug. 22, 7am-11am; Aug. 23, 3pm-7pm; Aug. 25, 8am-11am
- Memorial North Park Hospital, 2051 Hamill Rd, Hixson: Aug. 23, 3pm-7pm
- Downtown YMCA, 301 6th St : Aug. 24, 6am-10am
- Urban League of Greater Chattanooga, 730 E. M. L. King Blvd: Aug. 25, 8am-12pm
At the enrollment appointments, individuals will be asked to read and sign an informed consent form; complete a comprehensive survey packet that asks for information on lifestyle, behavioral, and other factors related to your health; have his/her waist circumference measured; and give a small blood sample. Upon completion of this process, the Society will send periodic follow-up surveys to update information and annual newsletters with study updates and results. The enrollment process takes approximately an hour to complete. Periodic follow-up surveys of various lengths are expected to be sent every few years to individuals.
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 that collectively have involved millions 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 basis and development of public health guidelines and recommendations.
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-II, began in 1982 and is still on-going. 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 study.
The voluntary, long-term commitment by participants is what will produce benefits for decades to come. For more information or to learn how to become involved with CPS-3, visit www.cps3chattanooga.org, email cps3@cancer.org, or call toll-free 888 604-5888.