DANCE Colon Health

What’s the study about?

The Disparities and Cancer Epidemiology-Colorectal Cancer (DANCE-CRC) study is establishing a diverse cohort of Black and White colorectal cancer (CRC) patients living in Louisiana and metropolitan Detroit. The purpose of the DANCE-CRC study is to better understand why some people develop more aggressive types of CRC. We will look at social, genetic, geographic, lifestyle, and molecular factors. Including people from different social and genetic backgrounds in this study helps ensure that advances in knowledge benefit everyone.

Despite overall declines in CRC rates, Black individuals still experience higher incidence and mortality compared to White individuals. This disparity may be partly due to more aggressive tumor types and specific genetic mutations that are more common among Black CRC survivors. Moreover, factors like chronic inflammation, which is likely influenced by socioeconomic factors and structural racism, could be playing a role in these racial differences. The DANCE project aims to further understand these disparities by studying both genetic and social factors that might affect CRC development in this new cohort of Black and White CRC survivors.

What's involved in the study?

Participation in the study is completely voluntary and will be kept confidential. Your decision will not affect your medical care in any way. If you have been recently diagnosed with colorectal cancer you will be asked to:

Complete a survey by mail (paper), telephone or online that will include questions about your experience with cancer, general health, healthcare experiences, neighborhood, treatment and diet.
Provide a small sample of your saliva by mail using a kit that we will provide.
Sign a form that will allow researchers to access your colorectal cancer tissue and medical record that has already been collected by your physician.
You will receive a $25 gift card for completing the survey and another $25 gift card if you decide to provide saliva and access to your cancer tissue.

How do I participate?

If you have already received a packet from us about the study by mail: please complete the first step which is to fill out the survey (see the "For Participants" tab on this website).

If you have not received a packet from us about the study: please contact us at 1-844-729-4854 to volunteer to participate and learn more about the study.

How did you get my information?

We learned about your cancer diagnosis from the cancer registries in your state. In metropolitan Detroit, the Metropolitan Detroit Cancer Surveillance System has been registering all newly diagnosed cancer cases in residents of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties for over 50 years. The Louisiana Tumor Registry has been registering all newly diagnosed cancer cases for the entire state of Louisiana since 1988. In both states, physicians and hospitals are required to report all cancer diagnoses to these registries by law.

1- 844-729-4854

dance-crc@colonhealthstudy.org