Baptist Health South Florida partners with American Cancer Society for Landmark Cancer Prevention Study-3

Baptist Health South Florida partners with American Cancer Society for Landmark Cancer Prevention Study-3

More than 500 participants enrolled at six Baptist Health South Florida Hospitals

     MIAMI, FL — Baptist Health South Florida recently opened the doors of its six hospitals to local residents who gave the gift of research by enrolling in the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention Study – (CPS-3). The effort was part of the American Cancer Society’s 100th birthday celebration through the “Gift of Research” campaign. More than 500 volunteers enrolled in the landmark study. Due to over-whelming support from the community, Baptist Health plans to announce additional enrollment dates in November.

CPS-3 is giving scientists a better understanding of cancer causes and prevention. Baptist Health’s Doctors Hospital, Mariners Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Baptist Hospital, West Kendall Baptist Hospital and South Miami Hospital served as enrollment sites for the study. The American Cancer Society sought men and women between the ages of 30 and 65 from various racial/ethnic backgrounds with no personal history of cancer to help reach full enrollment of at least 300,000 people nationwide.

“We are thrilled that so many members of our community stepped up to participate in this crucial cancer study,” said Lincoln Mendez, CEO of South Miami Hospital, who is championing the effort for Baptist Health. “As the American Cancer Society celebrates its 100th birthday this year, we can think of no more valuable contribution to the cancer fight than playing a critical role in finishing the fight.”

CPS-3 is the latest addition to the American Cancer Society’s groundbreaking cancer prevention studies, which have been instrumental in helping identify major factors that can affect cancer risk.

“Among other findings, these cancer prevention studies have confirmed the link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer, demonstrated the link between larger waist size and increased death rates from cancer and other causes, and showed the considerable impact of air pollution on heart and lung conditions,” said Mr. Mendez. “Changes in lifestyle over the past several decades, as well as a better understanding of cancer, make the latest chapter in this lifesaving series of studies a critical part of continuing the progress we’re seeing against the disease.”

Participants who signed up during late May and early June enrollment dates will receive periodic follow-up surveys that researchers will use to look for clues to cancer’s causes. “Many individuals diagnosed with cancer struggle to answer the question, ‘What caused my cancer?’ In many cases, we don’t know the answer,” said Alpa V. Patel, Ph.D., principal investigator of the study. “CPS-3 will help us better understand what factors cause cancer, and, once we know that, we can be better equipped to prevent cancer.”

Researchers say CPS-3 holds the best hope of identifying new and emerging cancer risks.

Baptist Health South Florida is the largest faith-based, not-for-profit healthcare organization in the region.

Baptist Health includes Baptist Hospital, South Miami Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, West Kendall Baptist Hospital, Baptist Cardiac & Vascular Institute and Baptist Outpatient Services. Baptist Health Foundation, the organization’s fundraising arm, supports services at all hospitals and facilities affiliated with Baptist Health. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net and connect with BaptistHealthSF on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.