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Wilkes Co. women invited to join 'Sister Study' on cancer Women in Wilkes County are being asked to participate in the "Sister Study," conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). The 10-year study is designed to determine how environment and genes affect the chances of women developing breast cancer. Results from the Sister Study may also help researchers understand why women suffer from diseases such as heart disease, osteoporosis, and certain other types of cancers. According to a spokesman for the NIEHS, "Breast cancer affects one in eight women in the United States. We believe the Sister Study will give us valuable information about the different reasons women get breast cancer. It may also help us learn about ways to prevent breast cancer. "Although everyone's life experiences are different, women from all walks of life may have common experiences that increase their chances of developing breast cancer," he stated. "Through this study, we are hoping to determine the exact nature of those genetic and environmental factors that put women at risk. It is important that women from all backgrounds participate in the study so the results will benefit everybody." One of the study's target groups is African American women due to the fact that these women often face breast cancer at a younger age, have more aggressive tumors, and have the highest breast cancer death rate of women in the United States. A woman is eligible to participate in the Sister Study if: A sister, living or deceased, has had breast cancer. She is between the ages of 35 and 74. She has never had breast cancer herself. Over the next three years, 50,000 women will hopefully join this landmark research initiative. Taking part in the study is easy. During the first year, researchers will ask questions about the participant's life, family history, health and diet, jobs, and environment. This will be accomplished through telephone interviews and questionnaires. Next, a trained female examiner will take some body measurements from the participant as well as samples of blood, urine, toenails, and house dust. After that, the participant will be contacted once a year by researchers to update address and health information. In essence, knowledge gained from the study will be used to develop recommendations for preventing breast cancer in the future and promoting good health in general for women.
To learn more about the Sister Study, call toll free 1-877-474-7837 or visit the following website:
Interested parties may also call the Wilkes County Health Department at 706-678-2622 or Emma Smith, the local Sister Study coordinator, at 706-359-7345.
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