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SGV Residents Called to Contribute to Historic Cancer Research Effort
Arcadia Weekly Jun 07, 2012
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Community Involvement Can Answer Critical Questions about Cancer Causes, Prevention
San Gabriel Valley residents have an unprecedented opportunity to participate in an historic research study that could change the face of cancer for future generations. Men and women aged 30 to 65 who have never had cancer are needed to enroll in the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3) on June 23 from 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm at Santa Anita Racetrack in Arcadia. . Volunteer participants will help researchers better understand the lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer.
CPS-3 will enroll up to 300,000 diverse adults across the United States and Puerto Rico. LA County’s enrollment, which takes about half an hour, will take place at Relay For Life of Arcadia at the Santa Anita racetrack
“So many people in my family and community have been touched by cancer. As a cancer survivor I can’t enroll but I’m doing all I can to make sure my children and their children don’t ever hear the words ‘You have cancer.’ I believe that CPS-3 is part of the answer,” said Arcadia resident Jonie Tsuji, volunteer chair of Arcadia’s CPS-3 enrollment.
Enrollment is two part: On June 23 volunteers will complete a brief written survey, sign an informed consent and provide a waist measurement and small blood sample. At home participants then complete a more comprehensive 30- to 45-minute baseline survey to finish enrollment. Over the course of the study – anticipated to last 20 to 30 years – participants will be mailed follow-up surveys every few years to complete and return.
“Many cancer patients and survivors are haunted by the question, ‘What caused my cancer?’ In many cases, we don’t know the answer,” said Alpa V. Patel, Ph.D., principal investigator of CPS-3. “CPS-3 will help us better understand what factors cause cancer, and once we know that, we can be better equipped to prevent cancer.
American Cancer Society CPS-3/222
“Our previous cancer prevention studies have helped identify some major factors that can affect cancer risk. CPS-3 holds the best hope of identifying new and emerging cancer risks, and we can only do this if members of the community become involved.”
Researchers will use CPS-3 data to build on evidence from a series of American Cancer Society studies beginning in the 1950s that collectively 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 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 connection between obesity and increased death rates from cancer and other causes, and demonstrated the considerable impact of air pollution on heart and lung conditions. CPS-II, which began in 1982, is ongoing. But changes in living habits and increased understanding of cancer in the three decades since CPS-II’s launch make it important to begin a new study. Voluntary, long-term commitment by diverse participants will result in enormous benefits for decades to come.
“An hour or so every few years to fill out a survey could potentially save a participant’s own descendants from a cancer diagnosis. It’s a commitment that thousands of diverse volunteers have already made. We’re looking for like-minded individuals in the San Gabriel Valley to join this effort that we know will save lives and improve the outlook for future generations,” said Tsuji.
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.
