Syracuse, N.Y. -- Central New Yorkers can join the fight against cancer, which has edged out heart disease as the No. 1 killer in Onondaga County, by enrolling in a new national research study into the causes of the disease. The American Cancer Society wants to enroll 500,000 adults in the study that will track their lifestyle, behavior and other...
Syracuse, N.Y. -- Central New Yorkers can join the fight against cancer, which has edged out heart disease as the No. 1 killer in Onondaga County, by enrolling in a new national research study into the causes of the disease.
The American Cancer Society wants to enroll 500,000 adults in the study that will track their lifestyle, behavior and other health factors over the next 20 to 30 years. The organization’s goal is to sign up 300 to 400 Central New Yorkers.
This will be the third long-term national study conducted by the American Cancer Society since the 1950s. The first two studies helped identify smoking, obesity and lack of physical activity as causes of cancer. The organization is recruiting a new study population because its current enrollees are becoming elderly.
“By participating in this study, people will truly be a part of history,” said Erin Shuff, a special events director with the society. Her group conducted a news conference today at the YMCA in downtown Syracuse today to get the word out about the study.
To be eligible, individuals must be between the ages of 30 and 65, never been diagnosed with cancer and be willing to fill out a survey every two to three years for the next 20 to 30 years. People can enroll between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. June 18 in Long Branch Park on the north end of Onondaga Lake Park, Liverpool, during the society’s annual Relay for Life. That event honors cancer survivors and people who have died of the disease, and raises money for cancer research.
During the enrollment process people will be asked to give their waist measurement and a small blood sample.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death after heart disease nationwide.
But new 2008 mortality statistics just released by the state Health Department show cancer is the top cause of death in Onondaga County. Those numbers show cancer killed 969 Onondaga residents in 2008, while heart disease claimed 861 lives.
Dr. Cynthia Morrow, Onondaga County’s health commissioner, said she’s not sure yet why the cancer death rate is higher here because the mortality numbers have not been age-adjusted yet, a process that allows for fair comparisons among counties. She said the higher death rate may reflect higher rates of smoking in Onondaga County.
She said people can prevent cancer by not smoking, eating healthy diets, exercising and using sun screen. Morrow said people also should get tested to detect for colorectal and cervical cancer.