The American Cancer Society, in partnership with Scott & White Healthcare, is asking for Williamson County residents to participate in a long-term study designed to track genetic and hormonal factors linked to cancer that could improve cancer diagnosis and treatment for future generations.

The goal of what the American Cancer Society calls a "historic cancer research effort" is to enroll a diverse population of up to half a million men and women across the United States and Puerto Rico ages 30 to 65 who have never been diagnosed with cancer.

"There is going to be a little blood sample that is drawn and maintained from participants. It could give us the ability to potentially analyze genetic effects as we collect this information," said Dr. Andrejs Avots, chairman of the Scott & White Board of Directors.

"We are going to be looking at lifestyle and how factors impact the risk of cancer," he said.

Enrollment for the study will take place at various locations throughout Williamson County from April 3–7. Community members who are interested in participating in the study can find locations and schedule an appointment to enroll by logging on to www.cancerstudy.sw.org or by calling 1-800-604-5888.

Participants will be asked to read and sign an informed consent form, complete a comprehensive survey packet that asks for information on lifestyle, behavior, and other factors related to the participant's health; have waist circumference measured; and provide a small blood sample.

Upon completion of the process, the ACS will send periodic follow-up surveys to update participants' information and annual newsletters with study updates and results.

The in-person enrollment process takes about an hour, while the periodic follow-up surveys are expected to be sent every few years.

"The number one thing we hope the study will do is help us prevent cancer, and number two, is there a way to identify it early or treat it," Avots said.

Avots said previous studies have already linked 3 percent to 5 percent of colon cancer cases to genetics and expects this study could do the same for other type of cancers.

"If we can identify an individual who carries a specific gene, then we start screening exams at a much earlier age than expected. For instance, with the colon cancer, patients who have a family history of colon cancer, can begin colon cancer screening at age 25 or younger instead of the typical 50 years," Avots said. "The study will help us select those individuals that need special attention."