If you have ever thought "I wish I could do something to help fight cancer" but never knew what that could be, look no further than CPS-3 (Cancer Prevention Study - 3).
This blog post will probably read a lot like an advertisement for the program, but I'm very much behind its goals and this is a prime example of why I run for DetermiNation - it helps fund research.
The American Cancer Society doesn't get any governmental assistance aside from being a tax-exempt organization. The Society has independently funded researchers - there are 43 Nobel Laureates among them.
American Cancer Society's CPS-1 study identified a direct relationship between smoking and cancer. This research was pivotal in getting smoke free acts passed. The CPS-2 study found links between cancer and obesity (as well as a little more info about smoking).
CPS-3 is a preventative study. The goal is to track 300,000 adults between the ages of 30 and 65 to determine their lifestyle habits. This is the first study ACS is doing that requires giving a blood sample and taking a lengthy quiz about your lifestyle. But don't worry, your blood won't be tested right away.
Your blood will be stored over the duration of the study and your information will be kept safe. ACS is subject to all health privacy laws, after all. We're very good about protecting your information. (I just took a 30-minute online course about the policies and privacy procedures at ACS so this is something about which every employee of the Society is instructed.)
The way it was explained to me is every couple of years, you will be sent a lifestyle questionnaire. It takes about 30 minutes to complete and asks questions about different habits you might have.
When someone gets cancer, those statistics are compiled and information is sent to the American Cancer Society. If you get cancer, ACS can cross reference your file and blood sample with people similar to you with the hope of identifying key lifestyle habits that may have contributed.
This is something simple you can do to help educate future generations. Cancer research is more than just finding drugs to fight the disease, it's also about finding ways to prevent it in the first place.
If you want to make a financial contribution to my 30 for 30 campaign, which helps fund research like this, click here.
For more information about participating in the CPS-3 study, click here.
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