When: September 1, 2003–December 31, 2013
Where: Tampa, FL; Providence, RI; Phoenix, AZ; St. Louis, MO
Institute: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

The Sister Study will investigate the influence of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors on the risk of breast cancer and other diseases in the sisters of women with breast cancer. This research by NIEHS will enroll 50,000 women who live in the U.S. and who are the cancer-free sisters of women who have had breast cancer. This group of women will be followed for at least 10 years.

The study is open now in four areas: Rhode Island; Phoenix Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) and the rest of Arizona; St. Louis SMSA and the rest of Missouri; and Tampa SMSA and the rest of Florida. The description SMSA is used because for some of these cities, the SMSA includes cities outside of the state. Women who are not in the current enrollment area can contact us to learn if they may be eligible when the study goes national in spring 2004.

Next Steps
To volunteer as participant or recruiter, women can go to our Web site at www.sisterstudy.org or call our toll-free at (877) 4-SISTER.

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