‘Competing’ hospitals working together on cancer study initiative

Liz Engel Clark
Thursday, Jul 12, 2012

Officials celebrated the kick-off of the American Cancer Society's newest study - Cancer Prevention Study 3 – during an event in June. Pictured are Tammy Webb, lead CPS-3 volunteer, Cumberland Medical Center; Bill Pressly, state lead ambassador for the ACS Cancer Action Network; and Shawna Potter, Cumberland Medical Center.

UPPER CUMBERLAND – Three Upper Cumberland hospitals that are often pegged as competitors are working together this August to enroll candidates in a long-term cancer study – one that leaders are hoping will ultimately eliminate the deadly and devastating disease for future generations.

Employees at Cumberland Medical Center in Crossville, River Park Hospital in McMinnville and Cookeville Regional Medical Center in Cookeville are all actively championing the initiative and are looking to enroll candidates in the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention Study, or CPS-3. CPS-3, a research study, will help the ACS better understand the lifestyle, behavioral, environmental and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer – the goal is to ultimately eliminate cancer for current and future generations.

“We’re all teaming up for the same cause – to enroll people from across the UC for this nationwide study,” said Lisa Bagci, director of The Cancer Center at Cookeville Regional. “This community enrollment is new for the UC and is a new model for the American Cancer Society. Everyone is real excited about it and is real supportive.”

The group kicked off the initiative in June and will be holding enrollments at various locations in the Upper Cumberland starting Aug. 1. The study is open to anyone between the ages of 30-65, who have never been diagnosed with cancer (not including basal or squamous cell skin cancer) and who are willing to commit to the study long-term, which means completing periodic follow-up surveys at home for the next 20-30 years.

After scheduling an enrollment appointment, participants are asked to fill out a comprehensive survey that will ask about medications, family history, lifestyle and behavioral choices. At the scheduled appointment, which will last approximately 20-30 minutes, participants will sign an informed consent form, complete a brief survey, provide a waist circumference measurement and give a small blood sample, which will be taken by a certified, trained phlebotomist.

Following enrollment, participants will receive mailed surveys every few years to update their information.

The goal, nationally, is to enroll 500,000 people in CPS-3. Locally, leaders are targeting 500-plus.

“We really want the UC to be represented in this study,” Bagci said. “Several years from now, this is going to make such a difference for our kids and grandkids.”

What: Enroll in Cancer Prevention Study-3

When: Aug. 1-3, 9 and 16

Where: Enrollments will take place at various locations in the Upper Cumberland area. A schedule is below. To make an appointment, visit cps3uppercumberland.org. For more information about enrolling or volunteering, call 1-888-604-5888.

Putnam County

Tennessee Tech University Fitness Center
General Purpose Meeting Room, second floor
Corner of 12th Street and Willow Avenue
Cookeville, TN 38505
7 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1
11 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2

Baxter Elementary School
125 Elmore Town Road
Baxter, TN 38544
7:30–11 a.m. and 3–6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2

Life Church
Children’s Church Room
2223 N. Washington Ave.
Cookeville, TN 38501
8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3

Cumberland County

Central Baptist Church
1346 S. Main St.
Crossville, TN 38555
11 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9

Warren County

Chamber of Commerce
110 S. Court Square
McMinnville, TN 37111
7:30 a.m.–11 a.m. and 2–5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16

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