Investigating how environmental factors contribute to cancer risk
Official title: Southern Environmental Health Study
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-10928810 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for about 50,000 people to help us learn how things in our environment and our daily habits might affect the risk of getting cancer, so we can find ways to keep our communities healthier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $2,550,986 |
| NIH project number | 5UH3CA265846-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10928810 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation include individuals from diverse backgrounds who are willing to provide health information and biological samples.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not exposed to environmental risk factors or who have no interest in contributing to research may not benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This research aims to understand the links between environmental exposures, lifestyle choices, and cancer risk by establishing a large cohort of approximately 50,000 participants. It will collect extensive survey data, geospatial exposure information, and biological samples to analyze how various chemicals and physical substances may influence cancer development. The study emphasizes community engagement to improve participant recruitment and retention, ensuring that the findings are relevant and beneficial to the communities involved.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention strategies for environmentally-related cancers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding cancer risk through environmental factors, but this study aims to take a more comprehensive approach by examining multiple exposures simultaneously.
Where this research is happening
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Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zheng, Wei — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Zheng, Wei
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.