The Cancer Prevention Study II (CPS-II), which began in 1982, is a prospective mortality study of approximately 1.2 million American men and women. Approximately 77,000 volunteers for the American Cancer Society recruited participants into the study in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Each participant completed a four-page, confidential questionnaire. Baseline questions included personal identifiers, height, weight, demographic characteristics, personal and family history of cancer and other diseases, use of medicines and vitamins, menstrual and reproductive history (women), occupational exposures, dietary habits, alcohol and tobacco use, and various questions regarding exercise and behavior.

During the 24 years of completed mortality follow-up currently available for this cohort (1982-2006), 491,188 deaths have occurred; cause of death has been obtained for 99.3% of all deaths. Follow-up of CPS-II is expected to continue for many years to maximize the information obtained from this valuable study. The CPS-II project also includes the CPS-II Nutrition Survey and the CPS-II Biorepository.

The Society’s Epidemiology Research Program is inviting men and women between the ages of 30 and 65 years who have no personal history of cancer to join a historic research study. The ultimate goal is to enroll 300,000 adults from various racial/ethnic backgrounds from across the United States. The purpose of Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3) is to better understand ways to prevent cancer. This multi-year survey will study lifestyle, behavioral, environmental and genetic factors that may cause or prevent cancer with the ultimate goal of eliminating cancer as a major health problem for this and future generations. Study enrollment takes place at select Relay For Life® events in local communities. CPS-3 is a grassroots effort in which Relay participants from across the country can contribute to cancer research not only through their fund-raising efforts, but also by participating actively in research.