Simple survey can help prevent cancer

AVON, Ind. (WISH) - You have a chance to help prevent cancer. And it won't take much of your time. But you have to sign up to get the ball rolling.

A historic nationwide study by the American Cancer Society is under way. And your effort now, could change the face of cancer treatment for future generations.

Eva Burgan was setting up tables and chairs Friday inside the Avon Town Hall, getting ready for what she hopes will be a crowd of people in Avon signing up to become part of Cancer Prevention Study-3. Burgan is in charge of recruiting volunteers in Hendricks County.

"They're looking at lifestyles and trying to figure out what is different about someone who does not have a cancer diagnosis, as opposed to someone who does," she said of the study.

To sign up, you need to be between the ages of 30 and 65 and have never been diagnosed with cancer. You'll be asked to take a short written survey, have your waist measured and take a small blood sample. You'll fill out a more in-depth survey at home. Then every few years over the next 20 to 30 years, you'll be asked to fill out another survey.

"I've been in the study for about six years,” she said, “and I've gotten two surveys in that period of time."

Burgan is not only recruiting volunteers, she is one.

"If you want to make a difference, if you want to make a difference in your children and grandchildren, I would absolutely encourage you to do it," she said.

Town Hall Park in Avon is the site for the Amercian Cancer Society Relay for Life. It's a 24-hour event. But for just four hours, you can sign up to become part of the study, which hopes to follow 300,00 people nationwide. So far, just over 100,000 have signed up. It costs no money, just a little bit of your time.

"The more people that are participating, the more information they're going to have to figure out how they can prevent it. That's what they're looking at," Burgan said.

Previous nationwide cancer studies that have been going on for 40 years have discovered the link between smoking and cancer, as well as obesity and the increased risk of a cancer recurrance.

If you want to sign up, you can Friday until 9 p.m. at Avon Town Hall Park. If you can't make it Friday night, you can sign up between noon and 4 p.m. June 9 at Leonard Park in Speedway.