Brain tumors are among the most debilitating and lethal forms of cancer. An estimated 45,000 persons are diagnosed with a primary brain tumor each year in the US. Survival rates are notably poor and treatments can lead to substantial morbidity. Despite overall progress in the fight against cancer, brain tumors remain one of the most poorly understood of all major cancers. With help from the National Cancer Institute, scientists and physicians at 5 major medical centers in the Southeastern United States are working to help fill this void in our knowledge of these tumors. Over the course of the study, more than 3,000 persons will be enrolled, making this the largest study of its kind in the United States.

Through this effort, we hope to discover why certain persons develop brain tumors. While little is currently known, the excess of brain cancer in our region suggests there may be environmental risk factors. By comparing persons affected with brain tumors and healthy volunteers, we hope to identify risk factors for brain tumors and to gain a better understanding of why some persons are at increased risk. Such research is a vital step toward prevention of brain tumors, and reducing the burden of this disease on families and our community in future generations.

We deeply appreciate your interest, and hope that you will join us in this effort. As a participant in the study, you will not have to pay anything or travel anywhere; the study is done entirely by telephone and through the mail and will take less than 2 hours of your time.  We think you will find the study both easy to complete and informative.  Thank you for your help and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Kathleen M. Egan, PhD
Principal Investigator
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center
Tampa, Florida