It's called the Cancer Prevention Study Number Three, or CPS-3.
Studies like it in the past have linked smoking and obesity to cancer and, today, that's how we know those are risk factors.
The new study aims to learn even more for generations to come.
In October, I enrolled in the CPS-3 study. It's important to me because several people in my family, including my dad and my sister Amy, have battled cancer.
The study starts with a survey asking about your health, screening, medication and habits - including diet and exercise.
It also involves a one-time blood test and a waist measurement.
Dr. Carmen Guerra, a volunteer with the American Cancer Society and researcher at the University of Pennsylvania says the study is one-of-a-kind.
It will follow people over the course of 20 to 30 years and pinpoint risk factors - such as genetics, lifestyle and environment - that can lead to cancer.
"This study will really help us identify so much of what we still don't know about what causes cancer and, if we can do that, we could save lives, we could prevent another family from hearing 'You have cancer,'" said Dr. Guerra.
So from April into May, the American Cancer Society is hoping to enroll more people from all backgrounds.
You must be between 30 and 65, have never had cancer (excluding some skin cancers), and you must be willing to commit long-term.
"I am very confident that we will look back decades later and say 'I can't believe we didn't know "x" caused cancer. Now we know and it's because of this study,'" said Dr. Guerra.
The American Cancer Society has set up several sites in our area to enroll.
You can make an appointment or just walk in. It will take about 30 minutes.
To make an appointment, visit:
CPS-3 2013 Metro Campaign
South Eastern PA
Enrollment Sites
Fortaleza Fitness Center
133 West Hunting Park Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19140
April 27, 2013
11:00 AM - 3:00PM
Independence Blue Cross
Broad Street Run Expo
Lincoln Financial Field
1020 Pattison Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
May 3, 2013
11:00AM-5:00PM
May 4, 2013
11:00AM-5:00PM
Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church- East
2800 West Cheltenham Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19150
in the Family Life Center
April 4/28
12:00PM-5:00PM
Independence Blue Cross
Walk At Lunch
Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square
April 24, 2013
10:00AM-2:00PM
West Philadelphia YMCA
5120 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19139
May 9, 2013
11AM-3:00PM
The American Cancer Society-Blue Bell Office
480 Norristown Road
Blue Bell, PA
May 7, 2013
8:00AM-12:00PM
The American Cancer Society
Center City Office
1626 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
May 8, 2013
8:00AM-12:00PM
Rocky Run YMCA
1299 West Baltimore Pike
Media, PA 19063
May 9, 2013
12:00PM-6:00PM
Southern New Jersey Enrollment Sites
Rowan University
201 Mullica Hill Rd. Glassboro, NJ
Recreation Center Gymnasium
May 1st - from 11:00 AM- 2:00 PM
Cooper University Hospital
1 Cooper Plaza Camden, NJ
May 14th - from 11:00 AM- 5:00 PM
The Roberts Pavilion Building
10th Floor, Breakout Room
Mt. Laurel YMCA
59 Centerton Rd. Mt. Laurel, NJ
May 15th- from 3:30PM -6:30 PM
Virtua Hospital
100 Bowman Dr. Voorhees, NJ
May 16th- from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Holman Conference Center
Ground Floor
South Jersey Healthcare-Regional Medical Center
1505 West Sherman Ave. Vineland, NJ
May 16th - from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
CBK Classrooms
