During my research this month, I came across a valuable resource: State Cancer Profiles. This website allows you to compare cancer rates, demographic data, and screening factors across different states.
To give you some examples of the type of information you can find, I discovered significant disparities in access to healthy foods between northern and southern states, with the south generally having less access. Looking at binge drinking rates, the Midwest and Northern Plains states, surprisingly to me, rank the highest in the country.
Being that I live in Minnesota, I started looking at how our state compares to others and was alarmed to find that it ranks among the highest in the country for cancers like Leukemia, Pancreatic, and Melanoma. In fact, Minnesota is in the top 10 states for overall cancer rates.
This really got me thinking about why this is and how we can study and change this—and then I remembered that we have a groundbreaking study going on in Minnesota that aims to do just that.
The 10,000 Families Study
The 10,000 Families Study (10KFS) started in 2017 and is hoping to address the unique health needs of Minnesota by following families over time and studying how the influences of genetics, lifestyle, and environment affect health and illness, including cancer.
The overall goal of this study is to gather information that can be used to develop better advice on how to live a healthy life and to guide policies to promote health and reduce illness.
Addressing my initial question about why cancer rates in Minnesota are so high compared to other areas, this study will help the researchers understand how different exposures today might cause cancer in the future.
10KFS is led by experienced researchers from the University of Minnesota, including Jen Poynter, Heather Nelson, and Lisa Peterson. They have a passion for understanding what affects people’s health and well-being and feel that the 10,000 Families Study provides an important opportunity to gather information that can influence our future health decisions.
Among other things, the researchers hope to learn:
- How the microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, etc., present in the gastrointestinal tract (called “microbiome”) affect a person’s health
- More about common diseases thanks to new technology, such as digital applications for physical measurements, genetic testing capabilities, and other research technologies
- Why some groups of people suffer from poor health more than others (health disparities)
- How exposures to new risks like vaping/e-cigarettes and environmental changes affect health
- How and why common diseases get transmitted from one generation to another
How location influences health
Each state has different factors that contribute to its health landscape. Minnesota, for example, has a large population living in rural areas where exposures to environmental factors are different than urban areas. Those working in agriculture are going to be exposed to different chemicals than those working in an office.
Minnesota also has a unique population consisting of 11 American Indian reservations and a large urban American Indian population, more than most other states. It also has a fast-growing population of people of color. Today, more than 25% of new births in the state are from these communities.
One thing Minnesota is well-known for is being “The Land of 10,000 Lakes.” In 2021, the 10,000 Families Study received a grant to investigate radon and chemicals of concern in drinking water, which are suspected risk factors for hematologic cancers. This money will allow the team to do a detailed exposure assessment in both rural and urban areas and among racial and ethnic groups that have been underrepresented in the past. They hope to provide clarity on whether exposure to these agents increases the risk of certain cancers.
By engaging participants across the state, including rural and urban areas, the study seeks to uncover crucial insights into Minnesota's health challenges.
How can I participate in 10KFS?
Now that you know how crucial this study is for the future of health in Minnesota, here is how you can participate in this important study.
- Take the eligibility survey to find out if you are eligible to participate. z.umn.edu/Hormel-Inst - The first member to register needs to be 18 or older and live in Minnesota. Other family members can be of any age who live in Minnesota or any neighboring state (Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin).
- If the first family member is eligible, the next step will be for them to invite other family members. You will be provided with invitations to forward to your family members, and for you to enroll your children under age 18.
- Next, you and other family members will complete a health questionnaire. If you want to know what types of questions will be asked, you can view the information online ahead of time.
- For adults:https://10kfs.umn.edu/node/296
- For children: https://10kfs.umn.edu/node/306
- After you complete the questionnaire, you will be asked to fill out a consent and HIPAA form. These include important information about the study that will help you make an informed decision about participation and also allow your healthcare provider to share your records with us if you choose to do so. At this point, you are credited with a $15 e-gift card.
- Next, you’ll take part in a health visit. There are locations in Minneapolis and also right here in Austin, Minnesota, at The Hormel Institute. There are also limited options for mobile visits where someone comes to you to collect samples. You can learn what kind of information is collected here: https://10kfs.umn.edu/node/276. After the visit is complete, each participant receives a total of $30 in e-gift card funds: that includes the $15 for completing the questionnaire and consent forms in step 4 and another $15 for attending the health visit.
- At the health visit, each participant is given a wristband to wear for 7 days to test for environmental exposures and each household will receive a kit to test for radon at home. You will receive $5 per participant when you return your wristband and $5 per household when you return your radon test.
- Finally, to fulfill the purpose of tracking people over time, you will be asked to update your questionnaire every 2 years and do a health visit every 5 years.
More about 10KFS
When providing anyone with your personal information, privacy is important. You are always in control of your personal information during the 10,000 families study. You can withdraw from the study at any time, request that your information be destroyed or kept out of future research, or formally request that our study release results from your participation (except genetic tests) to any of your health care providers.
You can also learn more about the chemicals the study is researching, PFAS (forever chemicals), glyphosate (the active ingredient in the pesticide RoundUp), and radon, by attending the informational video sessions they provide in English and Spanish. Find dates and times on the events page of the 10KFS website.
Visit the main 10,000 Families Study Site (umn.edu) to learn even more about the study and answer any questions you may have. This research is important not only to Minnesota, but the population in general, and being a part of it would be a great opportunity to help provide essential information to healthcare providers and public health professionals to improve the health of future generations.