NORWICH – County residents, and participants in this year’s Relay For Life, will have the opportunity to take part in a national study conducted by the Department of Epidemiology and Surveillance Research at the American Cancer Society (ACS), the third such Cancer Prevention Study (CPS-3) it has funded.

ACS Director of Special Events Denise Woods reported that the two previous studies focused on the effects tobacco and aspirin use, obesity, lack of physical activity, poor diet, medication, vitamins and hormone use have in regards to cancer prevention, and added that the “goal is to eliminate cancer as a major health concern through early detection, prevention and positive lifestyle changes.”

This year’s study will focus primarily on genetic, lifestyle and environmental issues, as they affect cancer prevention, and men and women between 30 and 65 years of age, with no personal history of cancer and willing to make a long-term commitment to the study, are eligible, according to Woods, who added that participants for the study are not required to take part in the Relay For Life event, although they are welcome to.

“We’ve made huge advances in cancer prevention due to these studies,” stated Woods. “This is a truly unique opportunity for local residents to participate in a national study, and just one more way for them to give back and support the cause.”