The Sister Study
The Sister Study is a nationwide effort to learn how our environment and genes affect the chances of getting breast cancer. The Sister Study is the only long-term study of women aged 35 to 74 whose sister had breast cancer.
The goal of the Sister Study is to discover how our environment and our genes may affect the chances of getting breast cancer. 50,000 women whose sister had breast cancer but who do not have breast cancer themselves will be participate. The study is conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, one of the National Institutes of Health.
Women ages 35 to 74 may be eligible to join the Sister Study if their sister (living or deceased), related to them by blood, had breast cancer; they have never had breast cancer themselves; and they live in the United States or Puerto Rico. Participants could have had other forms of cancer, but not breast cancer. The study particularly needs more women of color and women over age 65.
To register, volunteer or learn more about the Sister Study, visit the Web site www.sisterstudy.org; for Spanish visit: www.estudiodehermanas.org. A toll free number is also available 1-877-4SISTER (877-474-7837). Deaf/Hard of Hearing call 1-866-TTY-4SIS (866-889-4747).
"My sister Gail and I were best friends and pretty much did everything together. Sadly, Gail passed away as a result of breast cancer when she was only 46 years old. As soon as I heard about the Sister Study, I knew I had to sign up. I am doing this study in her honor. Unfortunately, breast cancer seems to be more aggressive in African-American women and we need to find out why."
Donna (left) with her sister, Gail
