If you had the chance to help prevent cancer, would you?
The American Cancer Society says you have that chance now. There's a long-term, nationwide study going on, and organizers want you to consider getting involved.
Marian Dreimann is a nurse at Endless Mountains Health Systems. We caught up with her last week at Elk Lake High School in Susquehanna County, signing up to be part of a nationwide study about cancer called CPS-3.
In her line of work, she sees cancer all the time, and feels helpless.
"It seems so little to say, 'I'm sorry.' There's gotta be something we can all do to help," said Dreimann.
CPS-3 will take an in-depth look at some 300,000 people nationwide: who is diagnosed, in some cases - why, and at what age.
Erin Moskel is regional health initiatives representative from the American Cancer Society, which is behind the study.
"We're looking at not only your lifestyle behaviors, but also the environment in which you live, your geography, your family history, and your current screening updates," Moskel said.
Moskel spoke with Newswatch 16 at The Commonwealth Medical College in Scranton, which was one of the enrollment sites.
"If you, maybe, have a family member or friend who has battled cancer, or lost their battle, and maybe you want to give back in some way but you don't have the money, this is a fabulous way to get involved," she said.
Participants will be asked to fill out a baseline survey form, then some measurements will be taken, followed by a small blood draw. That information will then be coded and categorized. Participants are kept anonymous.
Then, for the next 30 years, that information will be analyzed, only if there's a cancer diagnosis, to look for patterns in who gets cancer and who doesn't.
Dr. Maurice Clifton signed himself up. He's Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at TCMC. He lost his mother to cancer and says getting involved is the right thing to do.
"There's a lot more we don't know about disease and what causes it than what we do know," said Dr. Clifton, "so, research efforts are critical."
To be part of CPS-3, you need to be from 30 to 65 years of age. Men and women of all races and ethnicities are being asked to join. You must never have been diagnosed with cancer, but family history doesn't matter.
This is fifth and final year for enrollment in the study. It will close in December.
There are ways you can enroll. It's recommended you visit the study's website at www.nepacps3.org to register.