The American Cancer Society has been conducting long-term studies about the causes of cancer for about 60 years. The ACS' Cancer Prevention Study-3 is seeking long-term participants to enroll.
"This is actually our fourth study, even though it's 'CPS-3'," said Jennifer Bercy, an American Cancer Society lead volunteer. "The first one was a very short study. The next two have been 20 to 30 years, and we're really excited about this third one."
Previous studies have documented the link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer; the impact of obesity on cancer recurrence; and also, how aspirin use can reduce colon cancer.
Besides lifestyle and environment, CPS-3 will also be hoping to identify specific blood markers.
"If somebody through the years unfortunately comes in contact with cancer themselves, then they'll go back and look at the blood and see if there were any markers to give us some indications later on that that was a possibility," said Bercy.
The American Cancer Society needs 150,000 people nationally to enroll by May 9.
This type of research could help scientists develop new treatments. But most of all they hope future generations can prevent cancer altogether.
Researchers are looking for people between the ages of 30 and 65 years old with no personal history of cancer (not including basal or squamous-cell cancer), who will make a long-term commitment to the study, which simply involves periodic follow-up questionnaires.
