Residents of Greeneville and Greene County are being invited to participate in an historic, nationwide, cancer prevention study by the American Cancer Society.

Greene County is one of just five areas in Tennessee where participants in the program, known as Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3), are being sought.

The other areas in the state are: Memphis, Chattanooga, Nashville and the Upper Cumberland area of Putnam, Cumberland and Warren counties.

A news conference at Laughlin Memorial Hospital on Thursday provided information about the landmark study.

Laughlin Hospital is one of four enrollment center sites in Greeneville participating in the study. The other sites are Asbury United Methodist Church, DTR, and MECO/Unaka Corporation.

Jenny Stripling, associate state vice president for the American Cancer Society, spoke about the study.

"I'm thrilled to be here with you today to introduce you all to a wonderful opportunity that is coming to Greene County and to Northeast Tennessee," Stripling said.

"We're launching a very historic opportunity here -- a landmark study called "Cancer Prevention Study 3," she said.

"This is a great opportunity for people of Greene County and Northeast Tennessee to fight back against cancer," she added.

"Cancer touches all of us," Stripling said. "And this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for everyone to be a part of a research study. As part of this historical research effort, there are thousands of CPS-3locations nationwide.

"The fact that Greene County is taking part in that is something to celebrate," she continued.

"The study is going to allow us to better understand genetics, environmental and lifestyle factors that cause or prevent cancer, and, then ultimately, and potentially, eliminate cancer as a major health concern," Stripling said.

Chuck Whitfield, CEO and president of Laughlin Memorial Hospital, read a quote from a volunteer at a CPS-3 enrollment site in Colorado:

"Everybody knows that cigarette smoking causes lung cancer. Few realize that it took three years, 22,000 volunteers, and 188 study participants to prove it."

Whitfield said, "That's a great way to describe the potential impact that the American Cancer Society's Cancer Prevention Study-3 could have."

The local community-wide enrollment will be held Aug. 14-17 at the four local enrollment center sites.

The study seeks men and women between the ages of 30-65 who have never been personally diagnosed with cancer, Whitfield said.

These individuals must be willing to make a long-term committment to the study by agreeing to fill out periodical surveys over a course of 20-30 years, Whitfield said.

"Researchers will use this data from the CPS-3 to build on the evidence from a series of American Cancer Society studies that began in the 1950s," he added.

"These studies have played a major role in understanding cancer prevention and risks, including confirming the link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer and demonstrating the link between larger waist size and death rates from cancer," Whitfield said.

Persons who are interested participating in the study can go online to http://www.cps3greenetn.org to schedule an appointment time at one of the four local enrollment center sites: Laughlin Hospital, DTR, MECO/Unaka Corporation or Asbury United Methodist Church.

Cal Doty, vice president of human resources at DTR, said, "I'm delighted that the American Cancer Society has offered such a great opportunity for the citizens of Greeneville and Greene County to take action in the fight against cancer in such a meaningful way.

Doty said that DTR has about 1,300 employees in East Tennessee, and "one of the things that we're trying to focus on now is the health and wellness of our people -- as well as the people in the area.

"So we're very happy that the ACS spoke with us about participating in this study," Doty added.

"We're going to open it up to the community and we're also hoping that a lot of our [employees] will also take advantage of the opportunity to participate in this," he added.

A lot of times people can't afford to give money to support fundraising efforts of the American Cancer Society, Doty said.

But this is a way for persons to help in the fight against cancer in a very meaningful and personal way, he said.

"All they have to do is give a little bit of their time," Doty said.

"My father passed away from cancer," Doty continued. "And I hope that by doing this, we can all make a difference and get rid of this terrible 'word' that we have to face on almost a daily basis," he added.

Pastor David Woody, of Asbury United Methodist Church, also attended the event.

As a pastor, Woody said that cancer is often a daily part of his work as he ministers to those affected by the disease.

But Woody said that cancer also became a personal part of his own life when he was just six years old and his grandmother died of breast cancer.

"Each day I see survivors and caregivers -- who live every single day doing what they can to help fight this disease," Woody said.

"We're thrilled at Asbury to be a host site, and we need folks from Greene County and the surrounding area to sign up for this study," Woody said.

The study will only be successful, he said, "if people come and participate.

"I have already enrolled myself," he said.

At the enrollment center, the participant will be asked to read and sign an informed consent form, complete a brief written survey, provide a waist circumference measurement and a small blood sample (similar to one given during a routine doctor's visit.)

The participant will then be asked to complete a more detailed survey.

This survey will ask information on lifestyle, behavioral and other factors related to the participant's health.

Periodically, the participant will then receive surveys at home to update their information.

For more information about the study, go online to http://www.cps3greenetn.org or call 1-888-604-5888.