What Is the Blood Substudy?

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American Cancer Society 

VOICES of Black Women Blood Substudy Infographic

This substudy aims to help researchers at the American Cancer Society better understand the health conditions affecting Black women

WHAT DOES THIS SUBSTUDY INVOLVE?

A blood sample

Blood is a time capsule that can tell us about your past or present exposures and future disease risk. Researcher may study your blood sample for many possible things, including:

• The genetic information you were born with, as well as genetic changes that may have occurred in your body over time.
• Markers that naturally occur in your body, such as cholesterol, hormones, and indicators of immunity.
• Exposures that you may have encountered during your lifetime, like infections or environmental toxins.

Your physical measurements

Depending on where you have your blood drawn, your height, weight, waist, and blood pressure may be measured. These details can provide further information regarding your overall health and risk of disease.

A brief survey

A survey completed on the day of your blood sample collection will help researchers understand any recent exposures or behaviors that might affect your sample, like medications you’ve recently taken.

HOW WILL THIS IMPROVE THE LIVES AND HEALTH OF BLACK WOMEN?

Genetic ancestry and other markers measured in blood can provide important clues about cancer risk and other health conditions. A blood sample, in combination with a survey capturing daily exposures, will provide important insights on how to improve the health of Black women.