Why cancer affects different racial and ethnic groups differently
Understanding Population Differences in Cancer: The MEC Study
This project follows people from many racial and ethnic backgrounds to learn how genes, lifestyle, and environment influence cancer risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Hawaii at Manoa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Honolulu, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11173704 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, your health information and, for many participants, blood or urine samples help researchers compare cancer risk across diverse groups. The project follows people in Hawaii and southern California over many years and links to cancer registries, medical records, and geographic data to keep track of outcomes. A biorepository stores blood from about 70,000 participants so scientists can study biological markers and genetics. The team shares data and samples with other researchers to speed discoveries about cancer causes and prevention.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults from the populations covered by the Multiethnic Cohort—especially residents of Hawaii and southern California and people from diverse racial and ethnic groups, typically middle-aged and older—are most relevant to this resource.
Not a fit: Children, people living far outside the cohort regions, or those not represented in the cohort may not be eligible or see direct benefits from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Results could help tailor cancer prevention, screening, and risk advice for people of different races and ethnicities.
How similar studies have performed: Long-term population cohorts like the MEC have a strong track record of identifying genetic and lifestyle risk factors that inform cancer prevention and care.
Where this research is happening
Honolulu, United States
- University of Hawaii at Manoa — Honolulu, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Le Marchand, Loic — University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Study coordinator: Le Marchand, Loic
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.