Long Island Breast Cancer Study
Project
The
Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project (LIBCSP) is a
multistudy effort to investigate whether environmental factors are responsible
for breast cancer in Suffolk, Nassau, and Schoharie counties, N.Y., and
in Tolland County, Conn. The investigation began in 1993 under Public
Law 103-43 and is funded and coordinated by the National
Cancer Institute (NCI), in collaboration with the National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).
The LIBCSP consists of more than 10 studies that include human population
(epidemiologic) studies, the establishment of a family breast and ovarian
cancer registry, and laboratory research on mechanisms of action and susceptibility
in development of breast cancer. Most of the studies are conducted by scientists at major medical research institutions in the Northeast.
Much of the research is now completed. The major findings from the centerpiece population-based case-control study, titled Breast Cancer and the Environment on Long Island, focused on certain environmental contaminants and were reported in 2002. However, further analyses and a follow-up study are in progress. A case-control study, based on many of the study subjects from the centerpiece study, investigated the possible association between electromagnetic fields and increased risk for breast cancer. The major findings were reported in 2003.
In 2001, NCI completed development of a prototype health-related geographic information system (LI GIS) for Long Island as part of the LIBCSP. The LI GIS provides researchers a new advanced tool to investigate relationships between breast cancer and the environment on Long Island, and to estimate exposures to environmental contamination.
Researchers are invited to apply to use the LI GIS to study breast cancer, as well as other types of cancer and other diseases and conditions.
Additional links for breast cancer information:
|
