While it may be common knowledge now, there once was a time when people didn’t realize there was a link between smoking and lung cancer; they didn’t know being overweight could increase their chances of getting cancer or that physical activity, diet, medications and vitamins are all factors when it comes to cancer risk.

All of these discoveries were made thanks to cancer-prevention studies conducted by the American Cancer Society (ACS).

“Who knows how long it would’ve taken to diagnose (these) correlations (without these studies)?” said Kimberly Dinsdale, Western Washington Region communications manager for ACS.

The health organization has begun recruiting people nationwide to participate in its third research study, Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3).

In the Puget Sound area, recruitment began last Saturday at 17 locations including EvergreenHealth in Redmond.

Dinsdale said they are looking to recruit 10,000 participants locally to contribute to the national goal of 300,000 participants.

Participants must be between the ages of 30 and 65, have never been diagnosed with cancer and willing to commit 20-30 years to the study. Dinsdale said when they first sign up, participants will need to sign a consent form, complete a survey, provide a waist measurement and a blood sample. After that, participants will be asked to fill out followup surveys about every two years, updating researchers on any lifestyle changes. Dinsdale said they will also receive an annual newsletter with study updates and findings.

She said this study will be looking at several types of cancer and will enable ACS to track behaviors, genetic, environmental and other factors that may lead to cancer.

“What the face of cancer looks like today will be different in 10 years,” she said.

Dinsdale said this is a great opportunity for people who may not be able to donate money to give back and help prevent future generations from having to say or hear the words, “I have cancer.”

She said enrollment for CPS-3 is ongoing until December 2013, but here in the Pacific Northwest, they hope to reach their goal of 10,000 participants by next week.

“We’ve had pretty good success so far,” Dinsdale said.

To enroll in the study, volunteers must schedule an appointment. Appointments are about 30 minutes and can be made online for any of the 17 Puget Sound locations at www.cps3seattle.org or by calling 1-800-ACS-2345.