As a practicing radiation oncologist, one of the most frequent questions I get from families of cancer patients is, “Why did this happen? Why did my mother, father, husband or wife get cancer?” This is a tough question that I wish I could answer. Sometimes we know the cause, such as smoking, often times we really do not.
As a cancer physician and as CEO of UM St. Joseph Medical Center, I’m pleased that the American Cancer Society has embarked on a landmark, nationwide study – called Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3) – to help cancer researchers better understand the genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors that either prevent or cause cancer. As a major cancer institute, UM St. Joseph was proud to step up and host an enrollment site for this study on Tuesday, September 17, 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., and at our Hereford UM St. Joseph Health Park on Thursday, September 26, 3:30 – 7 p.m.
But we need the community’s help to implement this study and create a world with less cancer. This long-term study will follow people’s lifestyles for the next 20 to 30 years through simple mailed-in surveys. We’d like to see at least 600 people sign up in the Towson/Timonium/Hereford-Sparks region. You can make your appointment at www.CPS3Towson.org or www.CPS3Hereford-Sparks.org.
To be eligible, you need to:
* Be between ages 30 to 65 and never have been
diagnosed with cancer (except basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma)
* Provide a waist measurement and a small blood sample
* Make a long-term commitment to complete periodic surveys mailed to your home
It’s a simple fact that smoking causes cancer, but it was a cancer prevention study that took multiple years and a huge investment by the American Cancer Society to actually prove that fact. The Society’s cancer prevention studies have involved two and a half million Americans and had a dramatic impact on the country if not the world, making us a healthier community. Cancer Prevention Study-2 told us that being around cigarette smoke – second-hand smoke – led to an increased death rate. So we passed smoking laws that ban smoking in restaurants, public places, schools and even some beaches. CPS-3 will build on the information that researchers gained from CPS-1 and CPS-2, which also revealed that obesity is linked to an increased risk of cancer.
Knowledge is power, and now we’re trying to continue the journey in understanding the factors that not only cause cancer but prevent it. That’s what the American Cancer Society aims to do with Cancer Prevention Study-3.
This is a significant challenge that the Society has taken on. This is about healing a nation, however, we need a variety of folks around the U.S. to help do this. So there are two challenges: enroll patients and follow the patients so we can understand the long-term impact of their environment and lifestyles. Diversity is very important and being able to study the differences of those who develop cancer and those who don’t is paramount – such as the difference in their biological make up, where they live, what they eat, and what kind of exercise they get.
There are few things we can do in our lives that will have the impact of this cancer prevention study in changing people’s lives for the better. So University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center wants to encourage the community to join us and do our best to actively engage the community in this important landmark study of the American Cancer Society.
Please spread the word about CPS-3 to your family and friends. Make your enrollment appointment today if you are eligible. If you are a cancer survivor, go back to all those people who asked what they could do to help you and encourage them to enroll. They can become part of a study that aims to prevent and to cure cancer – and create a cancer-free world for future generations. Appointments are preferred for CPS-3, but walk-ins are welcome.
TOWSON/TIMONIUM CPS-3 ENROLLMENT:
http://www.cps3towson.org/
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center, 11 am – 2:30 pm
7601 Osler Drive, Towson, MD 21204
Canticle Room
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Graul’s Mays Chapel, 4 – 7:30 pm
12200 Tullamore Rd, Timonium, MD 21093
The Cafe
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Towson United Methodist Church, 8 – 11:30 am
501 Hampton Ln, Towson, MD 21286
Fellowship Hall
HEREFORD-SPARKS CPS-3 ENROLLMENT SCHEDULE:
http://www.cps3hereford-sparks.org/
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Our Lady of Grace Parish & School, 10 am - 1:30 pm
18310 Middletown Rd., Parkton, MD 21120
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Becton Dickinson, 2 – 5:30 pm
7 Loveton Circle, Sparks Glencoe, MD 21152
Thursday, September 26, 2013
University of Maryland St. Joseph Health Park at Hereford, 3:30 – 7 pm
14 A Mt. Carmel Road, Parkton, MD 21120
