Quad Citians have the opportunity to be a part of finding a cure for cancer. It's called the "Cancer Prevention Study 3," conducted by the American Cancer Society.
These same studies have made major groundbreaking discoveries in the past. The first in 1959 helped link smoking to cancer. The second in 1982 discovered links between obesity and health problems.
"Everything we do now has come from research at some time," Kim Turner, a research nurse at the Genesis Cancer Care Institute, "All the medicines we take, all the tests we have done in all diseases and illnesses have come from research."
Each study lasts several decades, spanning 20-30 years, and tracks thousands of people and their health during that time to help find better ways to beat cancer, or even find a cure.
"In the long run, any research and more information about people and their lifestyles is going to be useful," Turner says.
But this new study will only help if they get the results they need. The American Cancer Society is hoping to get 300,000 people nationwide to participate for the newest study, and they need at least 600 people from the QCA.
Right now only 500 have committed. If this area is short, the entire study is in danger of being scrapped.
"If they don't meet that 300,000 goal by this time next year, they will not be able to do it," Turner says, "It would be a waste to not have everybody's efforts go forward."
To participate, you need to be between 30 and 65 years old and have no history of cancer (those with certain types of skin cancer can still sign up).
When you enroll, they'll take a blood sample and some physical measurements. After that, the study will last between 20 and 30 years; during that time you'll be sent surveys about your health every few years that can be completed online or by mail.
For sign up locations in the QC, visit cps3QuadCities.org
It's not just in the QCA, but nationwide, so if you know someone who'd like to be a part of it-- they can find a location near them to sign up at the American Cancer Society website here: http://www.cancer.org/Research/ResearchProgramsFunding/Epidemiology-CancerPreventionStudies/CancerPreventionStudy-3/cps3-locations.
