18 Jun 2012 Local residents asked to help during cancer research effort

Residents of Central Arkansas 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 30-65 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 half a million people across the United States and Puerto Rico.

The study will take place at seven sites in the region at various dates and times between Wednesday, Aug. 8, and Saturday, Aug. 11. Sites include the American Cancer Society Volunteer Center in Little Rock, North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, City of Little Rock City Hall, First United Methodist Church of Maumelle, Bryant Bishop Park in Bryant, Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield (Gaines Street location in Little Rock) and St. Vincent Infirmary.

Additional information can be found by visiting cps3centralarkansas.org.

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 a local enrollment location and 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.

“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 in Central Arkansas 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 cancer.org/cps3, email [email protected] or call toll-free 1.888.604.5888.