Cancer Prevention Studies (CPS-3)

In 1952 the Statistical Research Section, forerunner of the present Department of Epidemiology & Surveillance Research, began its first large prospective cohort study, the Hammond-Horn Study, to study the effect of cigarette smoking on death rates from cancer and other diseases.

The Cancer Prevention Study I (CPS-I) was a prospective mortality study of approximately 1 million adult men and women enrolled between October 1, 1959 and February 15, 1960 and followed up through September 1972. This study proved that cigarette smoking did indeed lead to lung cancer.

Today, the American Cancer Society is beginning CPS-3, and is inviting men and woman between the ages of 30 and 65 years who have no personal history of cancer to join a historic research study. The ultimate goal is to enroll 500,000 adults from various racial/ethnic backgrounds from across the U.S. The purpose of CPS-3 is to better understand the lifestyle, behavioral, environmental and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer and to ultimately eliminate cancer as a major health problem for this and future generations.

Study enrollment will take place at Relay For Life events in your community.

For more information visit the CPS-3 website, email cps3@cancer.org or call toll-free 1-888-604-5888.