Albany Medical Center is calling it a historic opportunity to fight cancer. Tuesday, a partnership began between the hospital and the American Cancer Society. Health reporter Marcie Fraser has more.

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ALBANY, N.Y. -- "Most scariest time of my life. I had no family history,” Michele Mack said.

It was 13 years ago when Mack began her the battle of her life.

"As a cancer survivor, most scariest time in my life. Single most important thing we could do. Wouldn't it be great to say we were part of history?" Mack said.

A part of history when it comes to cancer research.

"As we kick off enrollment for a trial called Cancer Prevention Study 3 or CPS-3," Dr. Rufus Coella said.

Partnering with the American Cancer Society, Albany Medical Center is encouraging its 7,200 employees to enroll in a study designed to better understand the relationship of risk factors and cancer. Currently, the 20 year study is the only one of its kind currently being conducted in the U.S.

Coella said, "The purpose of the trial, the CPS-3 trial, is to better understand the factors that may cause cancer and prevent. These include lifestyle, environment and genetics."

James Barba President and CEO of Albany Med, said, "What are the environmental impacts that each of us are exposed to everyday? What are the genetic affects?
Lifestyles? They are unanswered questions."

This is the third study performed since the 1960s. Data from previous research with cigarettes and lung cancer has helped push the ban on smoking.

The study is open to the public. Those who wish to participate are men and women between the ages of 30 and 65 who have never been diagnosed with cancer.

"You will have a couple easy things done, like taking a waist measurement, blood work and a survey, all confidential."

Coella said, "Enrollment is free. Take place at three dates across the Capital Region, including Albany Med on October 19th and then October 21st."

Everyone’s goal?

"Hope is that the results will reduce cancer rates and eliminate risks entirely.”