The American Cancer Society will be at Draper Laboratory on Tuesday and City Hall on Wednesday to sign up residents between the ages of 30 and 65 for a historic cancer research effort called the American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Study.

The society’s studies began in the 1950s and have played a major role in understanding cancer prevention and risk, contributing significantly to the scientific basis and development of public health guidelines and recommendations, organization officials said. The results of those studies confirmed the link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer, demonstrated the link between larger waist size and increased death rates from cancer and other causes and showed the impact of air pollution on heart and lung conditions.

More than two decades have passed since the launch of CPS-2 in 1982, making it important to begin a third study, the officials said.

Enrolling takes less than a half-hour, including reading and signing an informed consent form, completing a brief survey, having waist circumference measured and giving a small blood sample. At home, participants will complete a comprehensive survey about lifestyle, behavioral and other factors related to their health. Follow-up surveys will come every few years, along with study updates and results. The initial and follow-up surveys take less than an hour.

Men and women who have never been diagnosed with cancer are needed. To preregister or to learn more, visit cancer.org/cps3ne or call toll-free 1-888-604-5888. Walk-ins are welcome at both enrollment sites – at Draper Laboratory,  1 Hampshire St., from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday; and at City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Ave., from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.