Northeast Regional Cancer Institute
2011 -2012 Community Health Survey of Residents of NEPA

The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute is currently conducting a community health survey in the Marcellus shale region of northeast Pennsylvania (NEPA). This study is funded by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The purpose of the study is to estimate how frequently a variety of medical conditions, both acute and chronic, occur among residents living in counties where natural gas production has begun or is likely in the future. This information will be used to document the current health in NEPA and to establish baseline data for future comparisons. Residents living in Bradford, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Pike, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne or Wyoming county may be contacted by the Cancer Institute to participate.

Researchers at the Cancer Institute are mailing invitational letters to adults selected randomly from among residents of NEPA. Residents who receive the letter are asked to indicate their willingness to participate on the enclosed consent form and return it in the envelope provided

Those who agree to participate will be asked to complete a questionnaire about their health. The questionnaire will include questions about your medical history, current symptoms, medications, diet, residential and employment history, and family history of cancer and other chronic diseases. All participants are asked to provide a saliva sample to be used for genetic research in the future.

At least 500 participants will be included in the study; approximately 50 from each county. By gathering data from representative members of the public, studies such as this help us understand the health of our neighborhoods and develop programs to make where we live safer for our children and grandchildren.

Anyone with questions about the survey can contact the Cancer Institute at 1-800-424-6724 or email us at admin@cancernepa.org