Cancer Prevention Study 3 (CPS-3)

Back in September, I was asked to chair a one-time-only event that was going to be at the 2011 Relay For Life of Hillsboro. The Hillsboro Relay was selected as a Cancer Prevention Study 3 Enrollment Site, and I jumped at the chance to do it! Not only did I want to enroll in the study, but I was very excited about the opportunity to chair it. This was one more thing that I could do in the fight against cancer. One more thing that I could do to help find a cure. One more thing that I could do in honor of my aunt Tami.

I was sent a Research Volunteer tshirt, a giant training manual and then shipped off to Dallas, TX for a two day training. Now, months later, I'm training my volunteers and planning the final stages before enrollment happens on Saturday, June 25, 2011 from 11am to 3pm.



HISTORY OF CPS-3

The American Cancer Society first began conducting long-term prospective studies (also called follow-up studies) in the 1950s. For these studies, large groups of individuals were recruited through a successful partnership between the American Cancer Society researchers and volunteers. The study population provides information (e.g. lifestyle, medical, or behavioral) and then are followed over time to assess their health outcomes and to determine how those outcomes are related to the previously collected exposure data. The commitment of the study participants and the volunteers who recruited them has been vital to the success of these studies.

The American Cancer Society’s Department of Epidemiology and Surveillance Research is continuing its long history of partnership with Society volunteers to enroll individuals into a new long-term prospective follow-up study to learn how behaviors, lifestyle, and genetics combine to affect the likelihood of developing or dying from cancer. This new study, Cancer Prevention Study 3 (CPS-3) is an excellent example of the Society’s established leadership role of leveraging our scientific credibility and unique position to support innovative, high impact research. Results from this study will continue to support the Society’s leadership role of increasing prevention and early detection of cancer.

Relay For Life events and CPS-3 will enroll 500,000 cancer-free adults at Relay sites across the country. The Spring of 2006 marked the first phase of CPS-3 enrollment. Enrollees will need to be willing to make a long-term commitment to this study, be between the ages of 30 and 65 years old and have no personal history of cancer (not including squamous or basal cell skin cancers).

CPS-3 enrollment will only occur at each selected Relay event once over the multi-year enrollment process. During this time, enrollees will be asked to read and sign an informed consent form, complete a brief written survey, provide a waist measurement, and give a small blood sample. Within a few months after the Relay event, enrolled individuals will receive a full-length questionnaire to provide more detailed lifestyle, behavioral, and medical history. It is expected that enrollees will be followed for twenty to thirty years. During that time, the Society will contact them periodically for information related to their health and health behaviors, including diet, physical activity, and co-morbid conditions.

Results from previous American Cancer Society long-term follow-up studies have demonstrated:

• The link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer


• The significant impact of being overweight or obese on risk of cancer occurrence and death


• The impact of hormones, physical activity, diet, various medications and vitamins, and various other factors in relation to cancer risk


• The impact of air pollution on cardiopulmonary conditions motivating the Environmental Protection Agency to propose more stringent limits on particulate air pollution


• The link between aspirin use and reduced risk of colon cancer


• The link between postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy and various gynecologic cancers (such as breast and ovarian cancer)


• The link between diabetes and cancers of the pancreas and colon


• The link between physical activity and lower risk of various cancers (including breast, colon, and aggressive prostate cancer)

If you aren't able to join us for enrollment at the Relay For Life of Hillsboro on Saturday, June 25, 2011 from 11am to 3pm, please forward this information on to others you know. You can find more information about CPS-3 and additional enrollment sites at www.cancer.org/cps3 or on our website at www.hillsbororelay.org.