National Cancer study will include local people - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Cancer is one of the biggest killers in America. You now have a chance to be part of a national study to fight the disease.

The American Cancer Society's, Cancer Prevention Study-3 will involve hundreds of thousands of people. It's pretty simple. All it takes is a blood sample, a waist measurement and a little time. This study is a way to feel helpful, instead of helpless when it comes to preventing the disease that will kill more than half a million Americans this year alone.

The numbers are staggering. Every day more than 1,500 Americans die of cancer, but thanks to research through organizations like the American Cancer Society more and more people are surviving it.

Cat Lambert is one of the survivors, she had ovarian cancer. Her husband Dan is one of hundreds of people from our region who are taking part in the research study, "Before my wife was diagnosed we hadn't thought about cancer too much, but then it hit home and we said we need to do whatever it takes to help out. This is a chance to do that. Hopefully people will decide to help with the goal of eradicating cancer in our lifetime."

The goal is to have about 300,000 people participate in the long term research study with about 800 from our region. Andrew Mariani is with the American Cancer Society,"Cancer Prevention Study- 3 is a great opportunity to answer the question why do some people get cancer and others don't. Is it because of family history or certain health behaviors?"

Jan Tipton is an oncology nurse at The University of Toledo Medical Center. She is part of the study and a long time American Cancer Society volunteer,"We focus so much on treatment and recovery of patients, but our ultimate goal is to help find out what causes it so we can prevent people from getting a diagnosis and treatment in the future."

Nancy Linker heard about the study at a meeting and she quickly signed up,"I try to live a healthy lifestyle. I eat well, I work out every day and diseases like cancer scare the heck out of me. I want to do all I can to help find a cure for them."

To be part of the research study you'll have a blood sample drawn and a waist measurement taken ,you'll also fill out a survey. Mariani says you'll receive follow up surveys at home for the next 20-30 years, "We're looking at all different kinds of cancers not just one kind. This is a way we can figure out how to prevent many kinds of cancer."

Men and women between the ages of 30 and 65 years old who have not had cancer can take part in the research study. The enrollment will be at The University of Toledo on April 16, 17,18 and 20.