Detroit Research on Cancer Survivors (Detroit ROCS)

Project Summary/Abstract Despite progress made in early detection and treatment, African Americans continue to experience disproportionately higher cancer incidence rates, are first diagnosed with more advanced stage disease, and suffer higher mortality rates than other populations. The Detroit Research on Cancer Survivors (ROCS) study (U01CA199240) is the largest single cohort of African American cancer survivors aimed at understanding the multiplex causes of poorer outcomes in this population. Detroit ROCS has been collecting survey data and biospecimens with a goal of enrolling 5,000 population-based African Americans diagnosed with lung, breast, prostate, colorectal, and endometrial cancers and any early- onset cancer (diagnosed age 20-49 years) and supporting studies addressing determinants of cancer outcomes and quality of life. In this renewal application, we will continue to follow cohort survivors annually for up to 9 years to address the determinants of longer term outcomes (e.g., disease recurrence, second primary diagnoses, treatment related comorbidities and death) and quality of life. The broad research agenda will be developed with our community partners. We propose to: 1) conduct annual follow-up surveys on all living, enrolled participants for up to five additional years and collect additional biospecimens; 2) engage with members of the community to set new research priorities and to obtain input into the retention of participants and dissemination of research findings back to the community; 3) link Detroit ROCS patient data to other existing sources of health-related and exposure data to supplement patient-reported information; and 4) extend collaborations to facilitate use of the data and biospecimens by the broader research community. Detroit ROCS is providing substantial data and biospecimens to facilitate studies aimed at understanding and addressing determinants of poor outcomes in this population.