The Sister Study has successfully recruited more than 40,000 women whose sisters were diagnosed with breast cancer, of which fewer than 5,000 of the participants are women of color — African American, Latina, Asian American, or American Indian. According to the American Cancer Society, African- American women are more likely to have aggressive forms of breast cancer and die from the disease, than white women. But that could change, if the causes of breast cancer are identified.
Conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), one of the National Institutes of Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Sister Study will look at how our environment and genes affect our chances of getting breast cancer and has a goal to recruit 50,000 diverse women by the end of 2007.
Available in English and Spanish, the Sister Study requires very little time from its volunteers. The 10-year observational study begins with participants answering questions about diet, jobs, hobbies, and things they’ve been exposed to throughout their lives to determine what may influence breast cancer risk. Later, at a convenient time and location for the participant, a female health technician collects small samples of blood, urine, toenail clippings, and house dust, which will also help give researchers a better picture of the woman’s environment and genes. Women in the U.S. andPuerto Rico, ages 35 to 74, may be eligible to join the Sister Study if their sisters (living or deceased) had breast cancer. Women who join the Sister Study must never have been diagnosed with breast cancer themselves. Breast cancer affects women from every walk of life, so the Sister Study is seeking women of all backgrounds, occupations, ages, and ethnic groups.
To volunteer or learn more about the Sister Study, visit the web site www.sisterstudy.org, or for Spanish visit www.estudiodehermanas.org. A toll free number is also available 1-877-4SISTER (877-474-7837).
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