Understanding Cancer Risk and Health Outcomes for World Trade Center Survivors
Integrated analysis of cancer risk and mortality in WTC survivors
This project aims to understand how exposure to the World Trade Center dust and fumes affects cancer risk and health over time for community members.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11169647 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
After the World Trade Center attack, many community members were exposed to harmful dust and fumes that contained substances known to cause cancer. This project looks closely at how these exposures might lead to changes in our bodies, like DNA mutations, that are linked to cancer. Researchers will examine existing health information and biological samples from WTC survivors to identify patterns in cancer development and survival rates. We want to understand why certain cancers, like breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men, have increased in this community. By including a diverse group of survivors, we hope to get a clearer picture of how WTC exposure affects everyone's long-term health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project is relevant for World Trade Center survivors, particularly those who were exposed to the dust and fumes and are concerned about their long-term cancer risk.
Not a fit: Patients who were not exposed to the World Trade Center dust and fumes would not directly benefit from the specific findings of this particular project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us better understand the long-term health effects of environmental exposures like those from the WTC, potentially leading to improved screening and care for affected individuals.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked WTC exposure to increased cancer rates in specific groups, and this project aims to expand on those findings by including a more diverse population and deeper biological analysis.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- New York University School of Medicine — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shao, Yongzhao — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Shao, Yongzhao
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 below.