More than 20 area residents have signed up for an opportunity to participate in an upcoming research study offered by the American Cancer Society. The study has the potential to change the face of cancer for future generations. And now, almost four weeks away from the event, organizers are urging area residents to sign up today to take part in the Society’s Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3) so that cancer’s greatest mysteries can be unlocked.

The Society hopes to enroll 150 participants in CPS-3 this September to help meet its nationwide goal of 300,000 enrollees. Men and women between the ages of 30 and 65 who have never been diagnosed with cancer are eligible to participate in the study that is expected to help researchers better understand the lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer.

The opportunity to enroll in CPS-3 is September 19 from 4 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. and September 21 from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Historic Farmville Train Station (510 W. Third St.). Those interested in participating are encouraged to visit cps3farmville.org to schedule an appointment today. Organizers ask people to register to enroll in advance so they can be prepared with materials, staff and volunteers at the September enrollments.

At the enrollment appointments, individuals will be asked to read and sign an informed consent form; complete a comprehensive survey packet that asks for information on lifestyle, behavioral, and other factors related to your health; have his/her waist circumference measured; and give a small blood sample. Upon completion of this process, the Society will send periodic follow-up surveys to update information and annual newsletters with study updates and results. The enrollment process takes approximately an hour to complete. Periodic follow-up surveys of various lengths are expected to be sent every few years to individuals.

Researchers will use the data from CPS-3 to build on evidence from a series of American Cancer Society studies that began in the 1950s that collectively have involved millions of volunteer participants. The Hammond-Horn Study and previous Cancer Prevention Studies (CPS-I, and CPS-II) have played a major role in understanding cancer prevention and risk, and have contributed significantly to the scientific basis and development of public health guidelines and recommendations. Those studies confirmed the link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer, demonstrated the link between larger waist size and increased death rates from cancer and other causes, and showed the considerable impact of air pollution on heart and lung conditions. The current study, CPS-II, began in 1982 and is still on-going. But changes in lifestyle and in the understanding of cancer in the more than two decades since its launch make it important to begin a new study.

The voluntary, long-term commitment by participants is what will produce benefits for decades to come. For more information or to learn how to become involved with CPS-3, visit cancer.org/cps3 or contact the American Cancer Society at cps3@cancer.org or 1-888-604-5888.