Help solve it
American Cancer Society seeking volunteers for national study
“New drugs and treatments have been created, new technology is being used and Americans are taking part in different habits. We need a new study population to understand what all the changes are doing to our cancer risk.” American Cancer Society
For the third time in the last 50 years, the American Cancer Society is launching a nationwide, grassroots “Cancer Prevention” study, with a history of making important advances in the fight against cancer.
Previous studies, during the 1950s and 1960s and in the 1980s, have shown the link between smoking and cancer and obesity and cancer.
The newest one, launched in various locations in the U.S. a few years ago, with enrollment for Baton Rouge slated this September, will study genetics and lifestyle, said Tracie Bertaut, with the communications and marketing department of the American Cancer Society offices in New Orleans.
“We’re trying to enroll 300,000 nationally by the end of 2013,” Bertaut said.
Of those, 850 volunteers are being sought in Baton Rouge, and the chance for people here to enroll in the study will come the week of Sept. 8-16 at various locations in the city and surrounding area.
Community partners with the American Cancer Society in Baton Rouge are the YMCA and Together Baton Rouge, a coalition of area institutions, which will be providing locations for enrollment, Bertaut said.
The study is open to anyone between the ages of 30 to 65 years old, who has never been diagnosed with cancer, with the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.
Volunteers should also be interested in making a long-term commitment to the study, which involves periodic follow-up surveys that can be done from home.
Those interested in participating are encouraged to make an appointment for their enrollment.
Although enrollment will happen here in September, appointments can be made now by going to the website, http://www.cps3batonrouge.org.
“The need for Cancer Prevention Study-3 came about after reviewing the changes that have happened in Americans’ lifestyles ... For instance, new drugs and treatments have been created, new technology is being used and Americans are taking part in different habits,” said a news release from the American Cancer Society.
“We need a new study population to understand what all the changes are doing to our cancer risk,” the release said.
According to the American Cancer Society, key findings from previous Cancer Prevention studies include:
- The substantial effect of cigarette smoking and secondhand smoke on lung cancer and premature death, leading to the U.S. Surgeon General’s report, warning labels on cigarette packs and smoke-free legislative measures.
- The significant impact of obesity on the risk of dying from cancer.
- The considerable impact of air pollution on heart and lung conditions, which motivated the Environmental Protection Agency to propose more stringent limits on air pollution.
Enrollments have been held in various towns in Louisiana since 2009, with enrollments occurring at “Relay for Life” cancer awareness and fundraising events in the parishes of Vermilion, Ouachita, Terrebonne, Lafourche and Lafayette in 2009, 2010 and 2011, according to the American Cancer Society.
So-called “closed” enrollments were held this year for the employees of the local Baton Rouge General and Our Lady of the Lake hospitals, as well as employees of the city of New Orleans.
At the community enrollments to be held in Baton Rouge in September, participants will complete a survey, have a small amount of blood drawn by a certified phlebotomist, and have their height, weight, blood pressure, heart rate and waist circumference measured.
The public is invited to attend a kick-off of the upcoming Cancer Prevention Study-3 enrollment in Baton Rouge from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday at First United Methodist Church.
Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP to Clara Carruth at (225) 767-4556 or email Clara.Carruth@cancer.org.
For more information about the Cancer Prevention studies, call (888) 604-5888.