Blood Sample Collection

Every day more is learned about how and why some people get diseases, like cancer, while others don't. Fitting together all the pieces of the puzzle about how and why some people get cancer will improve the chances of preventing and curing cancer in the future.

The U.S. Radiologic Technologists (USRT) study started collecting blood samples in 1998 from participants with and without cancer to examine the role of genetic susceptibility, alone or in conjunction with environmental exposures (such as radiation), and risk of cancer or other health conditions. As of 2008, nearly 6,000 samples have been collected from study participants, representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

An exciting new area of the blood collection effort will include looking at how vitamin D may be related to cancer and other serious health outcomes. By measuring vitamin D levels in blood samples that are collected across the country and in different seasons, we will explore how sun exposure relates to vitamin D. This will set the stage for improving our understanding of how vitamin D is related to cancer and other conditions.

What does participation involve?

If you are contacted toparticipate in the blood collection effort, you will be asked to do thefollowing:

• Review and sign the blood collection consent form
• Arrange to have your blood drawn by your local health care provider or a qualified medical professional
• Make sure your blood sample is shipped to the study lab via overnight delivery
• Complete and return the study questionnaire

All of the supplies needed to draw and ship the blood sample, including a prepaid airbill for overnight delivery, are included in the blood collection kit sent to study participants. Detailed instructions are included, along with suggestions about how to arrange your blood draw appointment.

There is no cost to participants for having their blood drawn. Many facilities are willing to waive the fee for research, however, if there is a fee for the blood drawing, it will be paid by the study. Participants are asked to contact the study office regarding any blood draw fees so that payment arrangements can be made with the health care facility.

How was I selected for the blood collection effort?

Initially, our blood collection efforts focused on selected groups of participants with cancer and comparison groups without cancer. We are now expanding this blood collection effort to include more participants of different ages and with different exposure levels based on work history information reported in the questionnaires.

Having blood samples stored from a large group of participants, and continuing to following those individuals over time, will allow us to potentially look at how a person's genetic make-up may be related to or predictive of health effects.

Why is participation important?

Participants in this study will help us to compare genetic variations, amounts of radiation exposure, and other cancer risk factors to find out if a person's genetic make-up influences their body's response to radiation and how this might affect their cancer risk.

Although an individual may not benefit directly from this study, the men and women working in this profession today and in the future should benefit from the knowledge that is gained from this research. In addition, people exposed to radiation in other fields and medically will benefit from the results of this study.

Confidentiality and Privacy

Over the past twenty-five years, the USRT participants have provided personal information and biological samples that are vital to the efforts to evaluate potential health risks related to occupational radiation exposure.

Protecting privacy is very important to us. Please be assured that all information provided is kept strictly confidential and is not be disclosed to anyone but the researchers conducting this study, or as provided by law. Only authorized study personnel have access to study information and we do not share names or other personal information with anyone outside the study.

Research findings are published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Research presentations and publications present data in statistical summaries only and participants are not identified or identifiable.

Certificate of Confidentiality

• We have obtained a Certificate of Confidentiality on behalf of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services that ensures that the researchers on this study cannot be forced to disclose any information about you that we collect as part of the blood collection studies, including any DNA samples.
• This Certificate protects against involuntary release of information about you collected during the course of this study, although such information can be released if you or your guardian requests it in writing.
• The researchers involved in this project cannot be forced to disclose your identity or any information about you collected in this study in any legal proceedings at the Federal, State, or local level, regardless of whether they are criminal, administrative, or legislative proceedings.