Learn how you can help prevent cancer

preventcancer

Cancer prevention: It’s a topic that never ceases, especially in light of the constant headlines we read every day.Increased sun exposure can lead to skin cancer.Drinking too much alcohol increases colon cancer.And the list goes on and on.Now the American Cancer Society’s Epidemiology Research Program is beginning a lengthy study, Cancer Prevention Study - 3 (CPS-3), aimed at helping define what health and lifestyle choices may trigger certain cancers.The June E. Nylen Cancer Center is an official enrollment site, and the initiative is a joint venture with Mercy and St. Luke’s. A series of enrollment meetings are set for April 23-27 in Sioux City.“People ask ‘what can I do to help?’, ‘How can I make a difference?’ ” said Karen Van De Steeg, Cancer Center Executive Director. “You can participate in this study, which is going to help figure out some of the genetic causes and the lifestyle factors that cause cancer.”The American Cancer Society wants to recruit 300,000 adults across the country and Puerto Rico for the study. To date, more than 106,000 people have signed up to participate nationwide, the organization said.Once enrolled, participants will fill out surveys every other year for at least 20 years. Researchers will look at the lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer.“We are looking for the opportunity to change the face of cancer -- that way we don’t have to tell our children to be afraid of cancer,” said Leisha Hill, CPS-3 chairwoman for the American Cancer Society. “The c-word is scary to everyone.”Am I Eligible?To be eligible to enroll in CPS-3, men and women should:• Be between 30 and 65 years old• Have no personal history of cancer (this does not include basal or squamous cell skin cancer)• Be willing to make a long-term commitment to the study, which involves completing periodic follow-up questionnaires.How do I enroll?To enroll in the study, visit cps3siouxland.org or call 888-604-5888.