Local Residents Called to Contribute to Historic Cancer Research Effort
Residents of Chicago's western suburbs have an unprecedented opportunity to participate in a historic study that has the potential to change the face of cancer for future generations. Men and women between the ages of 30 and 65 who have never been diagnosed with cancer are needed to participate in the American Cancer Society's Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3). CPS-3 will enroll a diverse population of up to 300,000 people across the United States and Puerto Rico. The opportunity for local residents to enroll in CPS-3 is being made possible in partnership with area hospitals.
CPS-3 will help researchers better understand the lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer. “My mom is a two-time cancer survivor and I'm doing all I can to make sure my children don't have to say that…. I really believe this (CPS-3) is part of the answer,” stated one study participant.
To enroll in the study, individuals will go to www.cps3illinois.org to schedule an appointment. On location the participant will be asked to read and sign an informed consent form; complete a brief survey, have their waist circumference measured; and give a small blood sample. The in-person enrollment process takes approximately 20-30 minutes to complete. At home, individuals will complete a comprehensive survey packet that asks for information on lifestyle, behavioral and other factors related to their health. Upon completion of this process, the Society will continue to send periodic follow-up surveys to update participant information and annual newsletters with study updates and results. The initial and follow-up surveys completed at home will take an hour or less of time to complete and are expected to be sent every few years.
“Many individuals diagnosed with cancer struggle to answer 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.” Dr. Patel added, “Our previous cancer prevention studies have been instrumental in helping us identify some of the 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 are willing to become involved.”
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 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 study.
The voluntary, long-term commitment by participants is what will produce benefits for decades to come. “Taking an hour or so every few years to fill out a survey – and potentially save someone from being diagnosed with cancer in the future - is a commitment that thousands of volunteer participants have already made. We're looking for more like-minded individuals to join this effort that we know will save lives and improve the outlook for future generations,” said Dr. Patel.
For more information or to learn how to become involved with CPS-3, visit www.cps3illinois.org, email cps3@cancer.org or call toll-free 1-888-604-5888.
April 11, 2013
11 AM - 2:30 PM
Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital
5101 S. Willow Springs Road
La Grange IL 60525
Dixon B and C
April 17, 2013
11 AM – 2:30 PM
Tallgrass Corporate Center
Adventist Midwest Health
1000 Remington Boulevard, Suite 200
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
Blackhawks Room, North Entrance, 2nd floor
April 19, 2013
8 AM -11:30 AM
Adventist Hinsdale Hospital
120 N. Oak Street
Hinsdale, IL 60521
Regnery
April 23, 2013
2 PM – 5:30 PM
Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital
500 Remington Boulevard
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
Experience University (2nd floor)
April 24, 2013
1:30 PM - 5 PM
Wellness House
131 N. County Line Road
Hinsdale, IL 60521
April 26, 2013
8 AM - 11:30 AM
Adventist GlenOaks Hospital
701 Winthrop Avenue
Glendale Heights, IL 60139
Lecture Hall
April 26, 2013
8 AM - 11:30 AM
MacNeal Hospital
Vanguard Health Chicago
3249 South Oak Park Avenue
Berwyn, IL 60402
Staff Room, North Building, 1st floor