Key Programs

PLCO Etiology and Early Marker Studies (EEMS)

The Etiology and Early Marker Studies (EEMS) is a component of the PLCO Trial. By collecting biologic materials and risk factor information from trial participants before the diagnosis of disease, PLCO EEMS adds substantial value to the trial, providing a resource for cancer research, focused, in particular, on cancer etiology and early markers.

Etiologic studies investigate the environmental, biochemical and genetic risk factors for cancer. Early detection studies aim to develop reproducible, diagnostics-ready biomarkers of early disease.

Data and biospecimens currently available for research in EEMS include:

• Baseline demographic, dietary, and other risk factor information on participants in both arms of the trial
  • PLCO Screening Trial Baseline Questionnaire for Female Participants (BQF3) (pdf, 1.64mb)
  • PLCO Screening Trial Baseline Questionnaire for Male Participants (BQM3) (pdf, 1.64mb)
  • PLCO Dietary Questionnaire (DQX) (pdf, 3.81mb)
  • PLCO Dietary History Questionnaire (DHQ) (pdf, 3.81mb)
• Information on all-cancer incidence and selected other medical conditions on all participants
• Fractionated blood specimens collected annually up to 6 years from intervention arm participants
• Cryopreserved whole blood from intervention arm participants
• Buccal cell samples from control arm participants

PLCO data and biospecimens are available to all qualified researchers through a peer-review process. The EEMS program accepts proposals for access to PLCO biospecimens twice a year in June and December. Details of the review process and application materials are available on http://www.parplco.org.