The American Cancer Society is seeking 300,000 people nationwide for a comprehensive cancer prevention study.
Researchers are looking for environmental, lifestyle, and genetic causes of cancer and they plan on using the information gathered to find ways to prevent and ultimately cure the disease. "Currently, there are no other studies of this magnitude in the US that enable researchers to look at various racial and ethnic populations and cancer risks," stated Mike Dany, Executive Vice President for the American Cancer Society.
Some of St. Louis' top employers are now teaming up with the American Cancer Society to help recruit local participants. UMB, Centene, Edward Jones, KPMG, Maritz and Monsanto will be encouraging all of their employees to enroll. Dr. Jeff Michalski, a radiation oncologist at Washington University says St. Louis is a perfect place to draw upon study participants.
"St. Louis is a very diverse community," said Michalski. "And to translate the discoveries that this cancer study will have to a broad community, the population enrolled has to reflect the population as a whole."
The American Cancer Society's goal is to sign up 1,000 people from the St. Louis area between the ages of 30 and 65. Participants will be asked to submit blood and then fill out periodic surveys every few years. Enrollment starts April 23. To sign up for the study you can go to cancerstudymo.org or call 888-604-5888.
