RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. –During National Women’s Health Week, May 11 to 17, 2008, the Sister Study is reminding diverse women to sign up to help learn more about women’s health. The Sister Study, conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), one of the National Institutes of Health, is committed to enrolling 50,000 diverse women, from all walks of life.

Dr. Paula Juras, project officer with the Sister Study, says participation will help researchers learn the causes of breast cancer and how we can prevent the disease. “It’s often said that we are better at taking care of our family’s health needs than our own, so National Women’s Health Week is a good time for women to do both—schedule that much needed medical appointment and participate in the research studies like the Sister Study, that can help us learn more about women’s health.”

Fewer than 20% of women with breast cancer have any family history of the disease, and less than half of all women diagnosed with breast cancer have any of the known risk factors. Sister Study researchers believe there is much more to be learned about how environment and genes are related to breast cancer risk.

Women ages 35 to 74 may be eligible to join the 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.  To ensure the study results benefit all women, researchers are asking African Americans, Latinas, Asians, Pacific Islanders and Native Americans to enroll immediately. Caucasian women with high school degree or less, or who are between the ages of 65-74 are also still needed.

The study is no longer enrolling new volunteers who are Caucasians 35-64 years old with more than a high school degree — these women are already well represented in the study group. During the remaining months of enrollment, the Sister Study is making special outreach to women who have ever held blue collar or non-traditional jobs, because of the wide-range of environmental and chemical exposures that might be found at work.

The study team makes every effort to ensure that participants feel safe and comfortable and that participation is as convenient as possible. At the beginning, women will answer some over-the-phone and written surveys, and provide blood, urine, household dust and toenail samples. After that for about 10 years, the Sister Study will touch base once a year to learn about changes to a participant’s address, health or environment. 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.

Sister Study partners include the American Cancer Society, NIH’s National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Sisters Network Inc., Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization, and Intercultural Cancer Council. In addition to working with its national partners, the Sister Study works with local, regional, and national organizations to inform diverse women about the study.

To volunteer or learn more about the Sister Study, visit http://www.sisterstudy.org, (for Spanish http://www.estudiodehermanas.org), or call toll free 1-877-4SISTER (877-474-7837). Deaf/Hard of Hearing call 1-866-TTY-4SIS (866-889-4747). All activities are available in English and Spanish.