Women Still Needed For The Sister Study Breast Cancer Project

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC — The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) needs 18,000 more women to join The Sister Study, the nation’s largest research effort to find the causes of breast cancer.

Researchers still do not know what causes the disease. NIEHS hopes to enroll a total of 50,000 women whose sisters had breast cancer. The Sister Study must meet its enrollment goal by the end of 2007.

Since its national launch in October 2004, The Sister Study has successfully recruited more than 32,000 participants — women whose sisters were diagnosed with breast cancer.

“Many women have heard about The Sister Study, but they haven’t signed up yet, and we really need them now,” said Dale Sandler, PhD, chief of the epidemiology branch at NIEHS and principal investigator of The Sister Study. “Doctors know very little about how the environment may affect breast cancer, that is why The Sister Study is so important. We hope women will make that call today.”

Available in English and Spanish, The Sister Study requires very little time from its volunteers. The ten-year observational study begins with participants answering questions about diet, jobs, hobbies, and things they have 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 environmental and genes.

Women in the US and Puerto 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.

“If you’re a woman of color whose sister had breast cancer, your participation in The Sister Study is especially important,” continued Dr Sandler. “We want to learn more about how to protect your daughters and your granddaughter from this devastating disease.”

Lyn May from East Haddam, the host of Act Two with Newsday, is participating in The Sister Study, in celebration of her sister Carol, a 16-year breast cancer survivor.

“I’m delighted to help The Sister Study learn more about the causes of breast cancer in older women and in African American women,” said 65-year-old Ms May. “I have daughters, granddaughters, step-daughters, and nieces. I’m participating in this important study for them, and for all women of color.”

The Sister Study follows sound, ethical research practices, and keeps all personal data safe, private and confidential. Women who join are not asked to take any medicine, visit a medical center, or make any changes to their habits, diet, or daily life

Organizations that are in partnership with The Sister Study include the American Cancer Society, NIH’s National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Sisters Network Inc, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization, and the Intercultural Cancer Council. In addition to working with its national partners, The Sister Study is working with local, regional, and national organizations to inform diverse women about the study.

To volunteer or learn more about The Sister Study, visit SisterStudy.org or for Spanish visit EstudiodEhermanas.org. A toll free number is also available 877-4SISTER (877-474-7837); deaf/hard of hearing can call 866-TTY-4SIS (866-889-4747).