Patricia Bowman of St. Louis is a cancer survivor who is recruiting other African Americans who have never had cancer to help answer questions that one day may make cancer a scourge of the past.
It is through participation the American Cancer Society’s third Cancer Prevention Study, known as CPS-3. With a particular interest in getting more minorities to take part in the research, the ACS Epidemiology Research Program wants to enroll at least 300,000 adults from various racial and ethnic backgrounds in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Participants must be between the ages of 30 and 65 with no personal history of cancer (this does not include basal or squamous cell skin cancer).
Oftentimes when you read or hear facts or figures about cancer and other diseases, it seems that black folk get it first and worse.
Bowman said, “I questioned, ‘Why is that?’ After I found out what the study was about and they explained; we don’t participate.”
There is a way to change that.
“We don’t know a lot about any disease – that’s cancer or anything, because if we are not a part it, we are not a part of the research, we don’t know,” Bowman explained. “Of course it came up, ‘Don’t we have enough people participating to find out a way to get a cure?’ Sure, there are some things that are universal but there are some things that are just unique to African Americans, so if we don’t participate, they can’t find those things.”
And to remove the fear factor, Bowman reminds this research is nothing like the scandalous Tuskegee syphilis study of 1932 that left black men untreated for the disease for 40 years until it became public.
This 20-year study seeks to better understand factors (lifestyle, environmental, genetic) that cause or prevent cancer to ultimately help eliminate cancer as a major health concern for future generations.
Study participants will be asked to read and sign a consent form, complete a survey, provide some physical measurements (such as waist size, weight, height, blood pressure, and heart rate), and give a small blood sample (similar to a doctor’s visit). At home, CPS-3participants will receive periodic follow-up surveys and research updates through annual newsletters.
Bowman and other members of the Survivors Helping Survivors support group got involved in the effort to recruit participants for CPS-3 through the efforts of its leader, Sandra Johnson, a 17-year breast cancer survivor.
Johnson also made a case for participation at Bethel Providence Christian Church in Florissant, Mo. and its pastor, Rev. Charles G. Pennington Jr., pledged his support.
“We will be having registration sign-ups at our church and of course, we have to distribute information and put up posters to make it known to the people that enter and exit the church, Pennington said.
“I don’t see how this can hurt any … overall cancer research needs our support from the people from the study to the medicine aspect.”
Locally, the ACS is planning a big CPS-3registration event Saturday, July 13 at St. Louis Rams Park from 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
For more information, call 1-888-604-5888, email CPS3@cancer.org or visit http://www.tinyurl.com/ACS-CancerStudy3.
