Attachment 2A - Genetic Studies Brochure

CONFIDENTIALITY

Protecting your privacy is very important to us. Please be assured that all information you provide will be kept strictly confidential and will not be disclosed to anyone but the researchers conducting this study, or as provided by law.

Study researchers diligently protect personal information, such as your name, address, and telephone number. Personal information is stored in locked cabinets or password-protected computer files and is only accessible to the researchers and study staff.

Data and samples are stored and analyzed using only study ID numbers, not names. The findings of the survey will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Published results will be reported in statistical summaries only, and will never include a participant’s name.

Voluntary participation

Your participation is completely voluntary. If you don’t answer any particular questions or the information collection as a whole, it will not affect your future contacts with the ARRT, any medical facility, or government agency. Call us at 1-800-447-6466 if you do not wish to participate in this study.

This study is authorized under Section 411 of the Public Health Service Act [42 USC 285a].

Please contact us:

• If your address changes, let us know so we can update our records to ensure that you receive future surveys and newsletters.

• If the person to whom this mailing was sent has moved, is deceased, or is not able to participate, let us know so that we can update our records.

• If you never trained or worked as a radiologic technologist you may have received this mailing in error. Let us know so we can correct our records.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

U.S. Radiologic Technologists Study

Genetic Studies

University of Minnesota

MMC 807 – Room 1220

420 Delaware St. SE

Minneapolis, MN 55455

Phone: 800-447-6466

Fax: 612-625-2126

http://www.radtechstudy.org/

PS1: Rev 09/18/2006

GENETIC STUDIES among Radiologic Technologists

Blood Sample Collection

This study is being conducted by the University of Minnesota

in collaboration with the

National Cancer Institute and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

_______________________________

genetic Studies among

radiologic

technologists

E very 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.

An important part of this puzzle, but one of the least understood, is the relationship between a person’s genetic make-up and environmental exposures, and their risk of cancer. Research like the Genetic Studies Among Radiologic Technologists is necessary to answer these questions.

During the past four years, over 4,200 current and former radiologic technologists, with and without cancer, have participated in genetic studies.

We are continuing to invite current and former radiologic technologists with and without cancer, and from all age groups, to participate so that we can better understand the effects of genetics, as well as occupational radiation exposure.

By participating in this study, you will be helping us to compare genetic variations, amount of radiation exposure, and other cancer risk factors to find out if there is an interaction between genes and radiation that affects cancer risk.

ParticipatION

Your participation in the study involves providing a small sample of blood (less than 1 tablespoon) and completing a questionnaire about your family history and risk factors.

Procedures

In about two weeks, you will receive a blood collection kit that includes:

• A study consent form for you to read and sign if you agree to participate.

• Detailed instructions for drawing and shipping your blood sample, including who to contact to have your blood drawn, how to arrange for payment by the study (if there is a fee), and how to ship the sample.

• Supplies for drawing and shipping the blood sample, including a prepaid FedEx air bill pre-addressed to the study lab.

• A Genetics Studies questionnaire is included for you to complete and return to provide updated information on family history and risk factors.

If you need help making arrangements for your blood draw or payment (if there is a fee), a member of our study staff will gladly assist you.

Did you know…This study is the largest health study of radiologic technologists ever conducted?

Over 4,800 current and former radiologic technologists have provided blood samples for this study to date.

Making a difference

Although you 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.