Residents of Greater Nashville and Middle Tennessee 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 at least 300,000 adults across the United States and Puerto Rico. The study will help researchers better understand the lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer.
Participation is easy and enrollment is being brought to 14 locations in the area this July through the Society’s hosts: the hospitals of Saint Thomas Health (Saint Thomas Hospital, Baptist Hospital and Middle Tennessee Medical Center), YMCA of Middle Tennessee, and the Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center.
“The hospitals of Saint Thomas Health are excited to join the ACS in this historic study,” said Dr. Nancy Peacock, board certified medical oncologist with Baptist Hospital and committee chair for the Saint Thomas Health Cancer Network. “Previous studies confirming the risk of smoking and lung cancer, and the reduction in risk of certain cancers by increasing exercise and eating fruits and vegetables, have positively impacted our society. The dedication of participants in this latest national study will change the landscape of cancer care for years to come.”
To schedule an appointment and for details, visit www.cps3nashville.org. There is no cost to participate.
Initial enrollment requires two steps and involves the following:
1) Schedule an enrollment appointment at cps3nashville.org. A confirmation e-mail will provide instructions on how to complete a comprehensive online survey that asks about medications one is taking, family history of cancer, lifestyle and other behaviors. This survey should be completed prior to one’s appointment time and will take 45-60 minutes to complete.
2) Attend the July enrollment appointment. There participants will be asked to sign an informed consent form, complete a brief survey, as well as provide a waist circumference measurement and a small blood sample similar to a doctor’s visit. The blood sample will be taken by a certified, trained phlebotomist. The appointment should last about 20-30 minutes.
Upon completion of this process, the Society will send periodic follow-up surveys to update participants’ information and annual newsletters with study updates and results. Periodic follow-up surveys of various lengths are expected to be sent every few years to individuals.
“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 in the Nashville area 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 cps3@cancer org, or call toll-free 1-888-604-5888.
REGIONAL MEDIA CONTACT ONLY:
Greg Broy, American Cancer Society Communications (KY, TN, AR)
615-874-2019 / greg.broy@cancer.org
SAINT THOMAS HEALTH MEDIA CONTACT:
Amanda Anderson, 615-284-1628 / amanda.anderson@stthomas.org