ROBERTSDALE, Alabama --- The American Cancer Society is looking for a few good men … and women to participate in the third installment of a cancer prevention study.

The Cancer Society is looking for 1,000 residents in Mobile and Baldwin counties to sign up for the long term study, which will take place over the next 20 to 30 years. Around a half a million people are expected to sign up nationwide.

“I cannot express the importance of something like this in our area,” said cancer survivor Zana Price of Foley. “When you look at what has been discovered and developed in the first two studies, it’s exciting to be a part of what could be developed with this study.”

Price said she participated in the first study, which resulted in putting warning labels on cigarette packaging and eliminating television advertising for tobacco products. The studies have also brought about changes in smoking opportunities in public places, proving the effects of second-hand smoke on non-smokers.

“We are no longer a culture where smoking is accepted in public places and it’s a direct result of these studies,” Price said. Among the subjects to be tackled with the current study are the effects of the environment and food intake on various types of cancer, Price said. “The way we prepare our food has changed so much and these studies will show how much what we put in our bodies effects our health.”

For the last few months, Price and fellow cancer survivor Mary Walker of Summerdale have been on a mission to sign people up for the study.

“We’re about half way there,” Price said.

For Walker, the mission has been about protecting the future generations along the Gulf Coast.

“I have children and grandchildren growing up in Baldwin County and this study is about them,” she said. Walker and her husband Terry are both cancer survivors and she hopes the study will shed some light on what causes certain types of cancer. “I want to know why some people get cancer while others who have the same habits don’t. I’m really hoping this study will shed some light on that.”

While both Price and Walker are both passionate about the program, neither is eligible to participate in the study.

Participants must be between the ages of 30 and 65, must never have been diagnosed with cancer and must be willing to make a long-term commitment to the study.

Signing up is easy. For the South Alabama survey, visit www.cps3southalabama.org. From there you will be prompted with an enrollment location that is most convenient for you.

Read and sign an informed consent form, complete a comprehensive survey and set a time to make an appointment to have a small blood sample and measurements taken.

“You must fully complete the form and confirm your enrollment to be signed up,” Price said. “Otherwise you won’t be able to participate.”

Upon completion of these steps, periodic follow-up surveys will be sent out to participants to update information and annual newsletters will provide study updates and results.

In Baldwin County locations for enrollment include:

Tuesday, Aug. 21, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the aerobic room at the Wellness Center, North Baldwin Infirmary, 1815 Hand Ave., Bay Minette.

Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2 to 6:30 p.m. John McClure Snook YMCA, 2560 S. Pine St., Foley.

Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2 to 5:30 p.m. and Friday, Aug. 24, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the seminar room at the Wellness Center, Thomas Hospital, 750 Morphy Ave., Fairhope.

Wednesday, Aug. 22, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the auditorium, Meyer Vacation Rentals, 1585 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores.

Thursday, Aug. 23, 3 to 6:30 p.m., Studio B, Bounds Family YMCA, 8051 Whispering Pines Road, Daphne.

Additional locations in Mobile County are available on the website.

Time is running out, however, Price said.

“We have to know how many people we have signed up in order to know how many phlebotomists we are going to need to take the blood samples,” she said. Since testing starts in mid-August, an exact survey number will be needed by the end of this week, Price said.

For more information or to learn how to become involved with the Cancer Prevention Study, visit www.cancer.org/cps3, email cps3@cancer org, or call toll-free 1-888-604-5888.