by Harriet Cornell, Chairwoman, Rockland County Legislature
Preventing cancers of all kinds is-and must be-one of the highest priorities of doctors, scientists and researchers throughout the world. Today, we in Rockland have the opportunity to help in that search, and I am asking our residents to step forward to volunteer. Rockland County has been selected by the American Cancer Society as a research site for the Society’s 3rd Cancer Prevention Study.
The first Cancer Prevention Study was conducted in the 1950s and was the first study to confirm the link between tobacco use and cancer. The second study, conducted in the 1980s, revealed the link between obesity and cancer, and also concluded that increased aspirin use could decrease the risk for colon cancer.
Presently, the ACS is seeking 300,000 adults from various racial/ethnic backgrounds from across the United States to participate in a third national study designed to identify the causes of cancer and to further research into new, effective cancer prevention strategies-with Rockland a prime site. What could be more valuable or more meaningful than to participate, thereby enabling researchers to devise means of cancer prevention!
To participate in the study, which will take place in May, residents must be between the ages of 30 and 65 and have never been diagnosed with cancer, other than basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers.
Participating is very easy and requires little time and effort. Interested volunteers can go to www.cps3hudsonvalley.org or call 1-888-604-5888 to learn about the Cancer Prevention Study. Volunteers will be asked to fill out a comprehensive survey that should take 45-60 minutes to complete, and then schedule an appointment for a brief in-person enrollment at one of three local venues.
By participating in this study, Rockland can help scientists to make breakthroughs that can save lives. Considering how far we have come in terms of science and technology since the first study, it is likely that the causes of cancer will be further revealed, resulting in prevention strategies that will save lives. Harriet Cornell, Chairwoman Rockland County Legislature
Harriet Cornell is the Chairwoman of the Rockland County Legislature.
