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CPS-3 Timeline

The CPS-3 cohort was designed to help us understand the differences between people who get cancer and people who don’t get cancer. It incorporates modern technologies to address new and emerging cancer risk, prevention and survivorship questions.

We will follow this cohort for many years to see how changes in health, lifestyle, and enviornmental information are related to the risk of cancer, other diseases, or mortality.

2006 to 2013: Enrollment

Over 300,000 cancer-free participants from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico enrolled in CPS-3. Lifestyle, demographic and environmental survey data was collected and 99% of participants provided blood samples.

2011: Interim follow-up survey with tumor tissue collection

Tumor tissue is collected from medical providers of consenting participants who report a blood, breast, colorectal, ovarian, or prostate cancer diagnosis

2015: First follow-up survey with detailed diet questions and tumor tissue collection

Tumor tissue collection continues for consenting participants who report a blood, breast, colorectal, ovarian, or prostate cancer diagnosis

  • Diet validation study (750 participants)
  • Validated diet survey questions using objective measures of diet found in blood and urine
  • Physical activity validation study (750 participants)
  • Validated physical activity survey questions using objective measurements collected with an activity monitor.

2018: Follow up survey with tumor tissue collection

Tumor tissue collection continues for consenting participants who report a blood, breast, colorectal, ovarian, or prostate cancer diagnosis

2019 onward:

  • Mortality outcomes: Starting in 2006, mortality outcomes for CPS-3 participants are obtained via linkage to the National Death Index and updated every three years.
  • Cancer outcome: Starting in 2006, cancer outcomes for CPS-3 participants are obtained via linkage to state cancer registries and updated every two years.

2019-2023: Accelerometry sub-study (20,000 participants)

Uses activity monitors to collect biometric data on physical activity and sedentary time

2020: Participant portal launch

A secure, web-based portal used by participants to complete surveys, update information like cancer diagnoses or other health conditions, join sub-studies, and learn about our research

2020-2023: Gut & Oral Microbiome sub-study (13,000 participants)

First launched as the Gut Microbiome Sub-study, this study will collect paired stool and saliva samples to enable research on the gut and oral microbiomes

2021: Follow-up survey with detailed diet and COVID-19 questions and tumor tissue collection

2024: Follow-up survey with tumor tissue collection

Every 3 years following: Follow-up surveys along with cancer and mortality outcomes will continue to be collected

Continued engagement with our dedicated participants along with the hard work of our research team will allow us to continue to collect data and conduct sub-studies for many decades into the futures.