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You can help discover the next big cancer breakthrough

Small blood drawWhat if you, personally, could participate in research that might help determine what causes cancer or how to prevent it?

What if your involvement in such a study lead to the elimination of cancer as a major health problem for future generations?

What if just one family never has to hear the words “ you have cancer” because of your participation?

Would you help?

Residents of the Syracuse area have an unprecedented opportunity to participate in cancer research this October (scroll down for exact dates and times) by enrolling in the American Cancer Society‘s third Cancer Prevention Study.

Men and women who have never been diagnosed with cancer can sign up now by visiting www.cps3syracuse.com. People who have had basal or squamous cell cancers are still allowed to participate.

Participants will receive an email survey to complete before enrollments take place at Upstate University Hospital or various YMCA locations from Oct. 12 to 15. The surveys, which establish basic health information, will take about 45 minutes to complete. At the enrollment, participants will give blood samples and have their waist circumference recorded.

“You can do something that isn‘t going to cost you a dime, except your time, that can help others. You can be part of history in making a difference about the burden of cancer,” says Martha Ryan, director of health systems initiatives at the Central New York regional office of the American Cancer Society.

The first cancer prevention study in the 1950s and the second in the 1970s helped show that cigarette smoking leads to lung cancer and premature death, that obesity increases the risk of dying from cancer, that aspirin use can lower the risk of colon cancer, and that air pollution has a great impact on heart and lung conditions.

Researchers have no preconceived notions about what this study will show. It will include 500,000 men and women, age 30 to 64, who agree to participate for 20 to 30 years. Participants will receive follow-up surveys every two or three years that will take about 15 minutes to complete.

Initial blood samples will be frozen. If a participant is diagnosed with cancer, researchers will retrieve the blood samples for further study.

If you aren‘t eligible to participate, you can still make a difference by telling everyone you know about Cancer Prevention Study-3.

To volunteer to recruit participants in your department or to assist with enrollment call Linda Veit, Upstate CPS-3 Coordinator at 464-6303.

Learn more about the study at www.cancer.org/cps3 or by calling 1-888-604-5888.

Listen to Martha Ryan's interview on Health Link on Air radio.


Watch the Your News Now report.


To participate:

Who: Men and women age 30 to 64 who have not been diagnosed with cancer.

What: Complete a health survey that takes about 45 minutes, record waist circumference and give a blood sample.

When and Where:

6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12 – Upstate University Hospital, 750 East Adams St., second floor near cafeteria

10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 13 – downtown YMCA, 340 Montgomery St., Syracuse

4:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 13 – North Area YMCA, 4775 Wetzel Road, Liverpool

7 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 14 – North Area YMCA

1 to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 14 – Upstate University Hospital at Community General, 4900 Broad Road, Syracuse, conference rooms 1 and 2

9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 15 – East Area Family YMCA, 200 Towne Dr., Fayetteville
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