Fight Back: Research
For even more information on Fighting Back, please visit
http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/crfbresearch
Fight Back Activity 1:
(CPS- 3)
Cancer Prevention Study- 3
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?
1. Explain that American Cancer Society research is taking
place at Relay For Life events around the country. Ask if
anyone has heard of the Cancer Prevention Study III? Also known
as CPS-3.
 The Department of Epidemiology & Surveillance Research of
the American Cancer Society is recruiting a diverse group
of approximately 500,000 adults (called a cohort) for a new
cancer research study, the Cancer Prevention Study (CPS)-3.
 This cohort recruitment is happening at Relay For Life
events all around the country.
2.
State the following:
 ACS Cancer Prevention Studies first began in the 1950’s,
and have contributed significantly to tobacco-related
research and to our understanding of obesity, diet,
physical activity, hormone use, air pollution, and various
other exposures in relation to cancer and other disease
risk.
 CPS-3 will pave the way for the next generation of research
at the American Cancer Society, and further advance our
understanding of the factors (lifestyle, environmental, and
genetic) that cause or prevent cancer. Through this study,
we can work to eliminate cancer as a major health concern
for future generations.
 Cancer Prevention Study-3 is bringing research to Relay.
3.
More about CPS-3
 Who can participate?
o Anyone between the ages of 30 and 65 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)
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4.
How can you participate?
o 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.
o After your enrollment, you will be mailed a more
extensive survey to complete with questions related to
medical history, lifestyle, and behaviors.
o Every two years, you will receive a survey to update
that information.
Pledge to Fight Back:
 I CAN tell everyone I know about CPS-3 and let them know
that this is a one time, historic opportunity to make a
difference in the fight against cancer.
 I CAN enroll in the CPS-3 study or encourage someone I know
to enroll.
o For a complete list of CPS-3 enrollment locations,
visit www.cancer.org/cps3
Call to Action:
 For more information, visit www.cancer.org/cps3 or call
toll free, 1-888-604-5888.
 Visit RelayForLife.org for more information on CPS-3.
Search for CPS-3.
5. Suggested materials to hand out: CPS-3 flyer and the list
of CPS-3 sites in New England for 2008. All the supporting
materials and games are included on relayforlife.org in the
Supporting Materials file, under Research materials. Feel
free to print and share!
Fight Back Activity 2: Clinical Trials and The
American Cancer Society
1.
Explain what clinical trials are:
 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.
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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 show us what works -- and what doesn’t -in medicine. They are the best way for doctors to learn
what is safe and effective in treating diseases such as
cancer.
In the US, new drugs and medical devices (but not dietary
supplements) must be approved by the US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) before they can be advertised or sold
to the general public. Today, drugs and medical devices
must go through several phases of clinical trials
(discussed below) before being approved for use.
State the following:
The American Cancer Society has a Clinical Trials Matching
service available to everyone who needs it.
You can access it through cancer.org, or by calling
1.800.ACS.2345.
Clinical trials can save lives.
And they provide options for cancer patients who have
exhausted all other treatment options.
3.
Pledge to Fight Back:
 I CAN let my friends and family know about the American
Cancer Society Clinical Trial Matching Service.
 I CAN visit cancer.org to learn more.
4.
Call to Action:
 Visit cancer.org and search Clinical Trials to learn more.
5.
Suggested materials to hand out:
 Clinical Trials Matching Service Flyer (NDC Item #3398.00).
All the supporting materials and games are included on
relayforlife.org in the Supporting Materials file, under
Research materials. Feel free to print and share!
Fight Back Activity 3:
1.
Why is research important?
Explain why research and the American Cancer Society:
 Cancer research, no matter where it is carried out,
benefits us all, wherever we live.
 10.1 million cancer survivors are alive today and 42
Society - funded Nobel laureates are a testament to the
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strength of the American Cancer Society’s pioneering
research programs.
The American Cancer Society is the largest non-governmental
funder of cancer research in the U.S. The Society has
invested $3.1 billion in cancer research since 1946, second
only to the federal government in total dollars spent.
The American Cancer Society is justly proud of the 42
investigators that we supported before they went on to win
the Nobel Prize, still considered the highest accolade any
scientist can receive. Eleven of these Nobel winners are
from New England.
The Society supports young scientists with promising
research projects, who continually bring new ideas and
innovative approaches to the cancer fight.
2.
State the following research facts:
 In the last 60 years, the American Cancer Society has
invested $3.1 billion in cancer research.
 Scientists supported by American Cancer Society donor
dollars have:
o Developed the Pap test
o Established the link between smoking and cancer
o Dramatically increased the cure rate for childhood
leukemia
o Defined the structure of DNA
o Developed the PSA test for prostate cancer
o Researched the use of tamoxifen to reduce the risk of
second or first breast cancer
o Discovered genes for inherited breast and colon
cancer.
3.
Pledge to Fight Back:
 I CAN learn about American Cancer Society research programs
and milestones.
 I CAN find out if my members of Congress have signed the
Congressional Cancer Promise.
 I CAN join ACS CAN to make cancer a top national priority –
this includes funding cancer research nationwide.
4.
Call to Action:
 Visit http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/crfbresearch to
learn more ways to fight back against cancer through
research.
5.
Suggested materials to hand out:
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ACS Research Accomplishments Timeline. All the supporting
materials and games are included on relayforlife.org in the
Supporting Materials file, under Research materials. Feel
free to print and share!
Fight Back Activity 4:
Stats
New England Research Facts and
1.
Explain the following:
 New England is a leader in cancer-funded research in our
country. In 2007, Relay For Life raised more than $23.9
million, and this is less than half of the funded research
in New England. The fundraising from around the country
helps support research here in New England.
2.
State the following:
 As of July 1, 2007, there are 130 grants totaling $55.3
million in effect at 31 hospitals and institutions in New
England.
 Since 1960, the National American Cancer Society has
awarded nearly 2,000 research totaling nearly $300 million
to New England institutions.
3.
Pledge to Fight Back:
 I CAN let our community know that the funds raised through
Relay For Life help us save lives through research,
education, advocacy, and patient services.
4. Call to Action:
Visit www.cancer.org or www.RelayForLife.org for more
information about research efforts taking place here in NE.
5. Suggested materials to hand out: New England Research
Summary flyer. All the supporting materials and games are
included on relayforlife.org in the Supporting Materials
file, under Research materials. Feel free to print and
share!
Fight Back At Relay:
Possible tools and activities: (Please work with your staff
partner to determine materials and activities.)
 Invite a local American Cancer Society-funded researcher to
attend our local Relay For Life and share his or her story
about the fight against cancer.
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Promote ACS CAN and sign up new members to help make cancer
a top national priority – this includes funding cancer
research nationwide.
Feature track signs with messaging about ACS research.
Have materials available in survivorship tent about
research and clinical trials.
Promote upcoming CPS-3 enrollment sites in your region.
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