Frequently Asked Questions

 

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF...

• What if I change my mind after I've signed up to participate?

• What happens if I am diagnosed with breast cancer while I'm in the study?

• Can I still be in the study if I develop breast cancer?

• What happens if I am diagnosed with some other illness while I'm in the study?

• What happens if I move or change my phone number or email address while I'm in the study?

 

GO BACK TO MAIN QUESTIONS

 

What if I change my mind after I've signed up to participate?

You are free to withdraw from the Sister Study at any time.  If you change your mind, please call our toll-free number, 1-877-4SISTER, and follow directions for enrolled participants.

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What happens if I am diagnosed with breast cancer while I'm in the study?

We want to know about this as soon as possible.  If you have received the Sister Study Health Update you can use it to update your health status. Or, you can call our toll-free number 1-877-4SISTER and follow directions for enrolled participants. If you like, you can email the Sister Study at update@sisterstudy.org. When we learn that you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, a member of our staff will contact you to ask you some questions about your diagnosis and treatment.  We will also want to obtain information from your doctors and medical record.  We will do this ONLY WITH YOUR PERMISSION AT THAT TIME.

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Can I still be in the study if I develop breast cancer?

YES.  We also want to learn if environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors influence treatment outcomes, survival, and quality of life following breast cancer diagnosis.  It will be important for us to follow all women, including those who develop breast cancer, for the full length of the study.

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What happens if I am diagnosed with some other illness while I'm in the study?

We want to know about important changes in your health when they occur.  You can use the Sister Study Health Update to let us know if you have been diagnosed with any of the health conditions on that form or you can call us at our toll-free number, 1-877-4SISTER, and follow directions for enrolled participants.  We are especially interested in other forms of cancer and diseases that are important for women, such as heart disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and autoimmune diseases like lupus. If you report that you have been diagnosed with one of these conditions, a member of our staff may contact you to ask you some questions about your diagnosis and treatment.  We may also want to obtain information from your doctors and medical record.  Of course we will do this ONLY WITH YOUR PERMISSION AT THAT TIME.

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What happens if I move or change my phone number or email address while I'm in the study?

We want you to let us know about changes in your address, phone number, or email address as soon as possible. After your interview, we will send you an Address Update Form for reporting any changes in your contact information.  We will send you new forms each year.  You can also call us toll-free at 1-877-4SISTER and follow directions for enrolled participants to report any changes. If you like, you can email the Sister Study at update@sisterstudy.org.

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