FRACKVILLE -- Would you like to play a role in helping to find a cure for cancer? Well now you can. Just ask a cancer survivor how important it is to find a cure.
District Attorney Karen Byrnes-Noon is Schuylkill County's top cop and she is also a cancer survivor. She believes she has it beat. D. A. Byrnes-Noon said she was diagnosed in 2011.
"It's difficult to tell your husband and especially when you son is beginning his senior year in school. It's very tough."
D.A Byrnes-Noon was at the Frackville office of the American Cancer Society talking about a new study being launched.
Judy Hoppes of the Cancer Society explained what the investigation will do.
"This study is looking at lifestyles, environmental, genetics, behavioral issues." Hoppes said.
Schuylkill County has the highest cancer rate in the southern coal region. The cancer society is looking for 300 volunteers for the study. Hoopes said it involves filling out surveys and a small amount of blood.
"Then your blood is put in a freezer and then periodically and anywhere in two and a half to three years you'll receive surveys over the next 20 to 30 years and assuming 15 years from now you fill out the survey and say, 'yes I was diagnosed with cancer' they're going to go back to the freezer and pull your blood and looking at your surveys and what has changed."
Cancer survivor Byrnes-Noon said she hopes the study will help scientists find answers.
"Any information that people who are studying cancer and doing what they can to find a cure of this disease is a good thing."
If you want more information about the cancer study and maybe even sign up to participate, click here.