Villadom Times Weekly Newpaper Online-March 23, 2011 Issue

March 23, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 5 Ramsey The American Cancer Society is asking Ramsey residents to find the 25th hour in the day to improve the lives of future generations. The society will be signing up volunteers for its historic Cancer Prevention Study III (CPS3) at the Relay for Life of Ramsey on May 13 and 14, at the Ramsey High School football field. The study, which will enroll a diverse population of half a million people across the United States, will help researchers better understand the lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer, and will further efforts to eliminate cancer as a major health concern for future generations. CPS-3 participants must be between the ages of 30 and 65, never been diagnosed with cancer, and be willing to make a long-term commitment to the study. They will be asked to complete a brief written survey, provide a waist measurement, and give a small blood sample at the enrollment site. After that, follow-up surveys will be sent to participants’ homes on a regular basis over the next few decades to update health behavior information. Initial enrollment will take 20 to 30 minutes, but the study is expected to produce benefits for decades to come. 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 and involved hundreds of thousands of volunteer participants. The Hammond-Horn Study and previous Cancer Prevention Studies (CPS-1 and CPS-2) have played a major role in understanding cancer prevention and risk, and have contributed significantly to the scientific literature and to the development of public health guidelines and recommendations. Those studies confirmed the link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer, showed that obesity increases the risk of several cancers, and linked aspirin use to a lower death rate from colon cancer. CPS-2 began in 1982 and is still Borough can help researchers in cancer ﬁght ongoing, but changes in lifestyle and in the understanding of cancer in the more than two decades since the CPS-2’s launch make it important to begin a new cohort. “It is not an exaggeration to say the American Cancer Society is the only organization likely to be able to successfully recruit and retain such a large-scale population for cancer research,” said Alpa V. Patel, Ph.D., American Cancer Society strategic director of epidemiology, who is overseeing the study. “We have an excellent record dating back to the 1950s of conducting these types of studies; we can bring together a world-class research department with a unique community-based volunteer structure like Relay for Life; we can reach diverse populations nationwide who have a shared commitment to cancer research and to eliminating this disease; and because we are a nonprofit organization with the ability to partner with volunteers, we can conduct the study for much less than would be possible for the government or a private corporation.” The Ramsey Relay for Life on May 13 and 14 at Ramsey High school will be one of 13 sites throughout New York and New Jersey where individuals can enroll in CPS-3 this year. Find the 25th hour in your day to enroll in this study to fight back and play an integral role in making cancer history. “While science can do a lot to explain the biology and genetics of cancer, some of the most valuable information we have is a direct result of the contributions of dedicated individuals over several generations,” said Dr. Patel. “We are once again looking to the dedication, compassion, and generosity of Americans to come through and help us provide answers that we know will save lives and improve the outlook for future generations.” For more information or to learn how to become involved with the CPS-3, visit cancer.org/cps3 or call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345. The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, ACS fights for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. �� No Discounts on Uggs Allowed �� See our website for coupons-�� SPECIALIZING IN: �� 3-16-11 Joan/Janine