EVERETT, Wash. -- When researchers discovered smoking causes cancer, it was a landmark moment.
The next phase of that cancer prevention study - called CPS-3 - is getting underway, and you could be part of it.
Marilyn Birchman is an Oncology RN at Providence Regional's Cancer Partnership in Everett.
"It's hard to put into words," she said. "I think most everyone, everyone has someone they know who's had cancer, cancer treatment. And we feel like this is the disease we should be able to cure."
The American Cancer Society believes that, too. But before scientists can find that cure, they need people to study.
They need people who don't have cancer. They're asking men and women between 30 and 65 years old with no previous cancer diagnosis to first fill out a survey, get a waist measurement and give a small blood sample.
Then every two years, they'll be asked for a brief update.
Erin Sheahan of the American Cancer Society calls it an exciting opportunity.
"Being a person who's surrounded by cancer in my own family, this is a way for us to participate in a long term research study and hopefully figure out how to prevent cancer," she said. "Be a part of that cure. If you don't know a way to fight back or do something when your family member or friend has cancer, this is a direct way you can get involved."
The last long-term study, CPS-2, had one million participants. But organizers have struggled to reach higher numbers this time because of the blood draw.
They are recruiting 300,000 people in 35 states and hope 20,000 of them come from the Puget Sound region.
The initial screening should take about 45 minutes, and the follow up survey every two years can be done through the mail or online.
To set up an appointment, visit cps3seattle.org.
The next phase of that cancer prevention study - called CPS-3 - is getting underway, and you could be part of it.
Marilyn Birchman is an Oncology RN at Providence Regional's Cancer Partnership in Everett.
"It's hard to put into words," she said. "I think most everyone, everyone has someone they know who's had cancer, cancer treatment. And we feel like this is the disease we should be able to cure."
The American Cancer Society believes that, too. But before scientists can find that cure, they need people to study.
They need people who don't have cancer. They're asking men and women between 30 and 65 years old with no previous cancer diagnosis to first fill out a survey, get a waist measurement and give a small blood sample.
Then every two years, they'll be asked for a brief update.
Erin Sheahan of the American Cancer Society calls it an exciting opportunity.
"Being a person who's surrounded by cancer in my own family, this is a way for us to participate in a long term research study and hopefully figure out how to prevent cancer," she said. "Be a part of that cure. If you don't know a way to fight back or do something when your family member or friend has cancer, this is a direct way you can get involved."
The last long-term study, CPS-2, had one million participants. But organizers have struggled to reach higher numbers this time because of the blood draw.
They are recruiting 300,000 people in 35 states and hope 20,000 of them come from the Puget Sound region.
The initial screening should take about 45 minutes, and the follow up survey every two years can be done through the mail or online.
To set up an appointment, visit cps3seattle.org.