Cancer-Free Coloradans Could Help Pinpoint Next Cancer Link

DENVER (CBS4)- If you have never been diagnosed with cancer you could have a chance to prevent it.

The American Cancer Society is looking for a few thousand Coloradans to take part in one of its biggest research projects ever conducted.

Cigarette smoke and secondhand smoke are linked to lung cancer. Obesity may increase your chances of dying from cancer. Those key findings were discovered through two major studies of adults in the U.S.

Now the American Cancer Society is in the final push for study number three.

"We want to reach 300,000 nationwide participants by December 2013," said American Cancer Society spokesman Shane Ferraro.

Researchers will follow men and women between the ages of 30 and 65 who have never been diagnosed with cancer.

"To me if you could do one simple thing to prevent cancer, would you do it? Because this is it," said volunteer Teresa Holladay.

Holladay is a volunteer encouraging people to sign up for the study because she suffered a great loss.

"I lost my sister last year to cancer and this is one nasty disease," said Holladay.

Valerie Holladay was 52 years old when she died of cervical cancer.

Teresa is recruiting any way she can, including through a video email, "Hi, this is Teresa. I'm just popping in to see if you're still interested in kicking cancer's butt."

The goal is to enroll 2,200 Coloradans. Those who volunteer will sign a consent form, give a blood sample, get waist measurements and complete a survey every few years.

The study will examine how genetics, lifestyle and the environment influence cancer risk. It's a minimum 20 year commitment.

Those wishing to take part in the cancer study can register online at cps3Colorado.org.