New York State Workers Join National Cancer Study

[Jessi Copeland]

Hundreds of state workers enrolled in a nationwide cancer study this week during a campaign to recruit volunteers by the American Cancer Society. The cancer group is looking for people between the ages of 30 and 65 with no history of cancer for the society's latest project called the Cancer Prevention 3 study. CPS3 will help researchers better understand the lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer. The goal is to enroll 500,000 people across the United States and Puerto Rico. The society has a long history of funding long-term studies to understand cancer starting in the 1950s. CPS1 found the link between smoking and cancer and CPS2 found the link between obesity and lack of physical activity and cancer. Study volunteers will be asked to complete a comprehensive survey packet that asks for information on lifestyle, behavioral and other factors related to their health; have their waist circumference measured and give a small blood sample. Upon completion of this process, the society will send periodic follow-up surveys and annual newsletters with study updates and results. The in-person enrollment process takes approximately one hour to complete. Periodic follow-up surveys of various lengths are expected to be sent to individuals every few years. Read more on the Times Union site. RESOURCES Where To Join CPS-3