Central Georgians Asked to Help With Cancer Study

The American Cancer Society is asking for your help to volunteer for a new, nationwide cancer study. Bibb County ranks significantly higher than the state's average in cancer cases, and the American Cancer Society estimates close to 4000 people will be diagnosed with cancer in the county this year.

Mayor Robert Reichert and several other officials from Macon and Warner Robins pledged their support for the American Cancer Society's Cancer Prevention Study 3.

The study is the third in their Cancer Prevention Series and will help researchers understand lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer.

Anyone between the ages of 30-65 who have never been diagnosed with cancer can participate. The study requires a one-time blood sample and a lifetime commitment, but American Cancer Society's, Molly Herrin says it's easier than it sounds.

"It's not intensive but look at it this way every two years you take twenty or thirty minutes to affect the lives of hundreds of thousands of people for generations to come."

Herrin says everything is confidential and your blood sample would only be used if you developed cancer during the study.

"We'll look at the blood vile to see if there are markers there that will help physicians and medical teams know that there is cancer in your body at an earlier state." says Herrin.?

She says this study is different because it targets a younger audience and encourages diversity.

Nancy White, Director of Oncology at the Medical center of Central Georgia says because our lifestyles are constantly changing, it's important to keep our research up-to date.? "It's the second leading cause of death in our country and we have made great strides people are living longer with cancer but we have not won that war." says White.

She says joining the study could end the war against cancer.

Enrollment for the study will be held at the Cancer Life Center at the Medical Center of Central Georgia in the Center for Ambulatory Services, 1014 Forsyth Street on Wednesday, January 25th from 7am-12:30 pm and January 26th from 2pm-7:30pm.

Central Georgia residents can schedule their appointment for the study at www.seeuthere.com/cps3enroll/medicalcenterofga.

A news release from the American Cancer Society says to enroll in the study, 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 his or her health; have height, weight, blood pressure, heart rate, and waist circumference measured; and give a small blood sample. Upon completion of this process, the American Cancer Society will send follow-up surveys every few years to update participants' information, and annual newsletters with study updates and results. The in-person enrollment process takes approximately an hour to complete.

Source: http://forsythmonroe.13wmaz.com/news/health/63834-central-georgians-asked-help-cancer-study

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