Welcome to this Mission Matters Blog for April, 2007.  This month we are going to highlight Cancer Prevention Study-3 and share information about Clinical Trials. 

Please join us Tuesday, April 17 at Noon Eastern for the Mission Matters Conference Call, 1-800-910-2399, passcode 487160.  Please note, we will not have the call at 8:30 PM Eastern this month, but will post a replay number on Wednesday, April 18 to this blog.

Join us for Mission Matters in May when we will discuss Cancer Survivors Network and other Cancer Survivorship Issues.  Next Mission Matters Call is May 15 and the next blog issue will post May 12.

Cancer Prevention Study-3 Bringing research to Relay

Research today for a cancer-free tomorrow.

What if you could make it so just one family never had to hear the words "you have cancer?"  What if you could personally participate in research that could help determine factors that cause or prevent cancer?  What if that research ultimately leads to the elimination of cancer as a major health problem for future generations?

This year, you can be a part of this historic research effort by enrolling and encouraging others to enroll in the American Cancer Society's third Cancer Prevention Study (CPS-3), taking place at select Relay For Life events throughout the country. For a complete list of CPS-3 enrollment locations, visit www.cancer.org/cps3

Who can join the study?  Anyone between the ages of 30 and 65 years of age who has never been diagnosed with cancer and will commit to the study long-term (which simply involves completing a mailed survey every two years).

How can you participate?  1. Come to the CPS-3 enrollment at a participating Relay. Enrollment will take 20 to 30 minutes.  All you have to do is complete a brief survey, provide a waist measurement, and have a blood sample (similar to a doctor's visit) collected by a professional, trained phlebotomist.  2. After your enrollment, you will be mailed a more extensive survey to complete with questions related to medical history, lifestyle, and behaviors.  3. Every two years, you will receive a survey to update that information.

What else can you do?  Tell everyone you know about this one-time, historic opportunity to make a difference in the fight against cancer and celebrate the cancer survivors in your life.

For more information, visit www.cancer.org/cps3 or call toll free, 1-888-604-5888.

"My mom is a two-time cancer survivor and I'm doing all I can to make sure my children don't have to say that...I really, really believe this is part of the answer."  - Study participant

Clinical Trials

Choosing whether or not to take part in a clinical trial can be one of the toughest decisions facing a person with cancer.  Clinical trials are people-based studies -- as opposed to animal or lab studies -- of new drugs or procedures. Doctors use clinical trials to learn whether a new treatment is safe and effective in patients. Such studies are vital to the development of new treatments for diseases such as cancer.

The doctors in charge of a clinical trial don't know ahead of time how things will turn out. If they did, there would be no need for the study in the first place. Because of this, there's no simple answer to the question, "Should I take part?"

There is no right or wrong choice when it comes time to decide on taking part in a clinical trial. The decision is a very personal one and depends on many factors, including the benefits and risks of the study, what the person hopes to achieve by taking part, and other preferences.

Knowing all you can about clinical trials in general -- and ones you are considering in particular -- can help you feel more at ease with your decision. If you do decide to participate, knowing what to look for and what to expect ahead of time can help you.  If you want to learn more information about clinical trials as well as get connected to the Clinical Trials Matching Service, please visit http://www.cancer.org/. (story from www.cancer.org)