Sisters Of Good Morning America's Robin Roberts Join Sister Study For Breast Cancer Research

Main Category: Breast Cancer
Article Date: 19 Sep 2008 - 4:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

Sally-Ann Roberts and Dorothy Roberts McEwen LCSW, sisters of ABC's Good Morning America co-anchor Robin Roberts recently became participants and volunteer spokespersons for the Sister Study. Conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), one of the National Institutes of Health, the Sister

Study is a prospective observational study that will help researchers learn how environment and genes affect the chances of getting breast cancer. The study which is in its final phase of recruitment is committed to enrolling 50,000 diverse women who have never had breast cancer but whose sisters had the disease.

Like their sister, Sally-Ann and Dorothy are no strangers to working hard everyday to change the lives of others. Sally-Ann is co-anchor on New Orleans' CBS Eyewitness Morning News and leads a non-profit organization, Each One Save One; and Dorothy is a healthcare administrator as assistant director at South MS Regional Center. As Sister Study spokespersons, the duo will encourage more women to enroll in this important effort, which researchers hope will identify causes of breast cancer and yield information that will help prevent breast cancer for generations to come.

Breast cancer hit close to home when their younger sister, Robin was diagnosed in 2007. It was natural for them to be strong for one another through Robin's recovery but they were less accustomed to sometimes feeling helpless as they watched their sister battle the disease. Sally-Ann, 54, and Dorothy, 51, both decided that enrolling in the Sister Study would be a way to honor Robin, contribute to a good cause and hopefully help scientists learn about the causes of the disease.

"I learned about the Sister Study while interviewing another study spokesperson on the show," said Sally-Ann. "I immediately felt that this was an opportunity for me to help answer questions about why Robin may have gotten breast cancer while I had not." She added, "Future generations will truly benefit from the collective efforts of sisters participating in this study." While on air, Sally-Ann promised to join the Sister Study and did in fact honor that promise.

The news segment not only encouraged women of New Orleans to enroll, increasing local enrollment by 29%, but Sally-Ann's commitment motivated her younger sister Dorothy to enroll and also become a spokesperson. As a social worker Dorothy understands the need for research, but wasn't sure about participating herself. But, like other women who hear about the Sister Study, she overcame her initial reluctance to participate.

"When I compared the amount of time it takes to participate in the Sister Study to the countless hours my sister Robin spent fighting breast cancer, I got past my hesitation and signed up," said Dorothy. "It's so important to develop solutions that will answer questions about the environment, genes and breast cancer." She added, "Unless a wide range of women take their place in research helping to answer these
questions, being able to prevent this disease in the future becomes nearly impossible. Sally-Ann and I are encouraging more women to participate, and make a difference in the fight against breast cancer."

Sally-Ann and Dorothy will tell their stories and reach out to women in their communities and beyond. The three sisters will also be featured in the October issue of Essence Magazine.

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. Sisters of women with breast cancer have about twice the risk of developing breast cancer themselves, as compared to most women so studying these sisters may provide important clues to breast cancer causes. Important clues will also come from studies that include a wide range of women from different backgrounds which is why the researchers are so committed to enrolling a diverse cohort.

Women ages 35 to 74 may be eligible to join the study if they have never had breast cancer themselves; their sister (living or deceased) related to them by blood, had breast cancer; and they live in the United States or Puerto Rico. The study is quickly approaching the goal of enrolling 50,000 diverse women, but to ensure the results benefit all women, researchers are asking African Americans, Latinas, Asians, Pacific Islanders and Native Americans to enroll immediately. Caucasian women with a 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.

Dale Sandler, Ph.D., Chief of the Epidemiology Branch at NIEHS and Principal Investigator of the Sister Study said, "After four years, we are almost at our goal of 50,000 participants and the team is working extremely hard to wrap up recruitment during these last few months of 2008." She added, "Over time, we look forward to continuing to follow the participants and having results that could benefit our daughters and granddaughters."

Sister Study partners include NIH's National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, the American Cancer Society, Sisters Network Inc., Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Breast Cancer Network of Strength, and the 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.

Sister Study

• Additional
• References
• Citations