About this study
This study will collect blood and health information to help researchers learn more about the genetic causes of cancer, especially when it appears to run in families. This type of cancer is called “familial cancer.”
Genes make up the genetic code of human cells. Genes are spelled with letters of DNA and tell the cells of our bodies how to grow, develop and function. A genome is a person’s complete set of genes. A procedure called gene sequencing “reads” each letter of DNA to find changes in genes. Each person’s DNA is unique. Changes in DNA can lead to cancer and other diseases.
Purpose of this clinical trial
The main purpose of this trial is to learn about the genetic causes of cancer. For this, we would like to gather health information and collect blood and unused tumor samples (if available). Researchers may study these genetic samples now or in the future. Their findings may lead to new and better ways to diagnose and care for people with familial cancer.
Eligibility overview
This is a non-therapeutic clinical trial that is open to children and adults with familial cancer and to their eligible family members.
Note: This is a research study and is not meant to be a substitute for clinical genetic testing. Families may never receive results from the study or may receive results many years from the time they enroll. If you are interested in clinical genetic testing, please consider seeing a local genetic counselor or other genetics professional. If you have already had clinical genetic testing and meet eligibility criteria for the SJFAMILY study, as outlined below, you may enroll regardless of the results of your clinical genetic testing.
In this research study, the definition of “Familial Cancer” is met if any of the following is present:
- An individual with a history of cancer diagnosed under 26 years of age who has at least one first, second or third degree relative with a history of cancer diagnosed under 51 years of age; OR
- An individual who has been diagnosed with more than one cancer, at least one of which was diagnosed under 26 years of age; OR
- An individual with a clinical or molecular diagnosis of a known cancer predisposition syndrome; OR
- An individual with a congenital cancer that was diagnosed before 6 months of age; OR
- An individual with a rare pediatric cancer or tumor diagnosed before 26 years of age. Examples of rare pediatric tumors include (but are not limited to): carcinoma or precursor carcinoma lesions of any organ or anatomic site and cutaneous malignant cancers. Additional rare pediatric tumors to be included will be defined as any solid malignancy or borderline tumor characterized by an annual incidence of less than two occurrences per million per year (such as ectomesenchymoma).
Eligible individuals include:
- An individual who meets the definition of “Familial Cancer,” as above
- Blood relatives of the above individual with familial cancer, who are affected or unaffected by cancer