Sisters Join the Sister Study to Find the Causes of Breast Cancer

Article submitted by Sister Study.
For more information, they can be reached at 1-877-474-7837 or 1-866-889-4747 (hearing impaired), or visit their website: www.sisterstudy.org.

The Sister Study needs women, particularly seniors, whose sisters had breast cancer, to help researchers learn how our environment and genes affect our chances of getting the disease. Conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, one of the National Institutes of Health, the Sister Study is empowering women to leave their mark on breast cancer research.

Patricia Bango, a breast health advocate joined the Sister Study as a tribute to her late sister, Sally, who lost her battle to breast cancer. "A lot of women, unfortunately, feel that when they reach a certain age that, well, I'm home free, and that's not true at all," said 70-year-old Patricia.

Older women have a longer history of living and working in a variety of surroundings, than the younger women in the study. Breast cancer risk increases steeply with age, and the risk of developing breast cancer is greatest for women over the age of 65. Also factors that have been linked to breast cancer risk differ for premenopausal and postmenopausal women. It is important for older women to participate in studies like the Sister Study so that we can better understand why they are at increased risk.

Joining the Sister Study is not difficult and can be done from home when it is convenient for you. "At the beginning, women will answer some over-the-phone and written surveys and provide blood, urine, toenail and household dust samples," said Dr. Dale Sandler, principal investigator of the Sister Study. "Then we'll touch base once a year, for up to 10 years, to learn about changes to their address, health or environment." She added, "The Sister Study does not require participants to take any medicine, undergo any medical treatments, or make any changes to their habits, diet or daily life."

The Sister Study has a number of active nationwide partners including the American Cancer Society, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, the Sisters Network, Inc., and the Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization.