The American Cancer Society is recruiting more than 6,000 volunteers in Connecticut and Massachusetts for a historic survey to try to discover new ways to prevent cancer.
In greater Hartford, the group will recruit at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, The University of Connecticut Health Center, UTC Aerospace Systems, the Wheeler Regional YMCA and the Downtown YMCA on various dates from Sept. 25 to 29.
These volunteers will be part of a long-term, national study of 300,000 participants. The study will examine lifestyle factors, genetics, environmental factors, diet and physical activity to try to find ways to prevent cancer, said Michelle Wolf, Connecticut state vice president for health initiatives for the American Cancer Society. At least 25 percent of participants will be from minority groups.
This is the fourth large-scale prevention study the American Cancer Society has embarked upon since 1952, Wolf said. The first study in 1952 found the link between smoking and lung cancer. Subsequent studies uncovered the harmful effects of second-hand smoke, the link between a larger waist size and increased death rates from cancer and other causes, and the effect of air pollution on heart and lung conditions.
“It’s an opportunity with minimal time commitment and no financial commitment for someone to really be involved in what could be groundbreaking cancer research,” Wolf said.
The group is looking for volunteers between the ages of 30 to 65 willing to make a long-term commitment who have never been diagnosed with cancer, with the exception of basal cell cancer.
Volunteers would sign up at the recruitments centers, take a comprehensive survey about their medical history, diet, medications and physical activity. They would also have their waist measured and give a small amount of blood on site. After that, they would be mailed or emailed a survey to complete every two or three years for the rest of their lives. To pre-register or for further information, visit cancer.org/cps3ne or call 1-888-604-5888.
Below is a schedule of recruiting sites.
Farmington -University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Ave., Keller Auditorium 06030. Wednesday, Sept. 26; 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Sign up here.
Farmington – University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Ave., Keller Auditorium 06030. Friday, Sept. 28; 6 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Sign up here.
Farmington – University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Ave., Keller Auditorium 06030. Saturday, Sept. 29; 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Sign up here.
Hartford – Downtown YMCA, 241 Trumbull St. 06103. Tuesday, Sept. 25; 3 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Sign up here.
Hartford – St. Francis Hospital, 95 Woodland St., Conference Room A. 06112. Wednesday, Sept. 26; 3 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Sign up here.
Hartford – St. Francis Hospital, 95 Woodland St., Conference Room A. 06112. Friday, Sept. 28; 7 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Sign up here.
Plainville – Wheeler Regional YMCA, 149 Farmington Ave., 06062. Tuesday, Sept. 25; 8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Sign up here.
Windsor Locks – UTC Aerospace Systems (formerly Hamilton Sundstrand), 1 Hamilton Road, Building 06096. Thursday, Sept. 27; 7 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. & 4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Sign up here.