WEST CHESTER TWP. — Residents in Warren and Butler counties are being sought to participate in what is being called an “historic” nationwide study to help identify new ways to prevent cancer.

The American Cancer Society is looking for “community champions” to help recruit men and women between the ages of 30 and 65 who have never been diagnosed with cancer to participate in the agency’s Cancer Prevention Study-3. The study will enroll a diverse population of up to a half million people across the United States and Puerto Rico, American Cancer Society officials said.

The health organization is conducting a CPS-3 kickoff event from 8 to 9 a.m. todayinside the Plaza Conference Room at West Chester Hospital, Level A, 7700 University Drive.

Dr. Edward Crane, an oncologist and chair of the Cancer Program at West Chester Hospital, will serve as the keynote speaker of the event.

Everyone is welcome to attend the event to learn more about becoming a community champion and to receive information to help educate the community about CPS-3.

Carol O’Hare, a spokeswoman for UC Health-West Chester Hospital, said this is the third largest cancer study that the American Cancer Society has done since the 1950s.

“They have found that one-on-one personal contact has been the best way to recruit people to enroll in the study. We choose people that are very involved and high energy and that are able to reach out to their friends, relatives, co-workers and colleagues, and just encourage them to enroll,” she said.

CPS-3 will help researchers better understand the lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer, American Cancer Society officials said.

“This is an opportunity of a lifetime for people in the community to get involved and truly make a difference in what we know about cancer. Through this historic study, local residents who meet the criteria can participate in a nationwide effort to help identify new ways to actually prevent cancer,” said Crane.

Nikki Williams, director of public relations for the American Cancer Society, said participants will be mailed a survey a once or twice a year asking them questions about their health, lifestyle changes and diets.

“They will be asked for a blood sample and then waist measurement just to see their health at that point, basically. This study is expected to go on, I think, about 20 years so it’s going to take awhile because they’re trying to see if within that length of time if anyone develops cancer, if someone passes away, what happened, and what caused it just to make those links,” she said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 483-5219 or dewilson@coxohio.com.