Frequently Asked Questions
You can join the study by navigating to the study registration page. You may also contact the study team at InAdvanceStudy@dfci.harvard.edu or 857-215-1892.
Participating in the InAdvance Study will help build the amount of information and biological samples accessible to researchers to learn more about prevention, early detection, and treatment of cancer.
The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute InAdvance Study is enrolling patients into a research study that collects clinical information and samples with the goal of developing strategies that can improve prevention, early detection and treatment of cancer.
You will be assigned a unique study ID number, which is not the same as your hospital record number or social security number. Your biological specimens would also be assigned a unique code. Any material that we share with others will be supplied with the code numbers only, and without your name, hospital record number, or social security number. All study information will be stored in locked file cabinets and in password-protected computer files. Only authorized study personnel will have access to these files.
Follow this link to reset your password.
Yes! If you have interested friends or family members, please have them contact the study team at InAdvanceStudy@dfci.harvard.edu or 857-215-1892.
You will be in this research study until progression to active symptomatic disease that requires therapy. After progression, you will be followed for survival and disease status. You may inform your doctor that you no longer wish to participate at any time and your decision will not affect the care you receive.
You will not be compensated for your participation in this study. We may use your samples and information to develop a new product or medical test to be sold. The sponsor and hospital may benefit if this happens. There are no plans to pay you if your samples are used for this purpose.
It is important to understand that this is not a clinical study being done to benefit you directly. Therefore, taking part in this research study may not directly benefit you. However, the information gained from your participation is likely to generate important information which may help you and/or help future patients with cancers and individuals at high risk of developing those diseases.
The InAdvance Study is focused on learning more about all types of cancers and precancerous conditions.
Survey data helps us learn more about how your background, health history, and family history interact with risks for cancer.
In research, there is power in numbers. The more participants that join a particular research study, the stronger the results will be when researchers analyze data collected from the study. This is especially true when conditions are rare.
Your personal information and/or biospecimens collected during this study may be stored and used for future research. Any personal identifiers will be removed, before they are shared, so that the information or samples cannot be linked back to you.
Investigators, including investigators from collaborating institutions, can request this data and samples for new research. Samples and data may also be shared with outside non-profit academic investigators as well as with for-profit pharmaceutical investigators or commercial entities, with whom we collaborate.
Future research studies may include genetic research. Your genes are unique to you. At this time, you cannot be identified through this research, if the samples and specimens are de-identified. There is a risk that you might be reidentified in the future as genetic research progresses.
In most cases, you will not receive any results from the InAdvance Study. In certain situations, return of research results may be permissible. Other approved research results may be returned to you after specific clarification that these results are at a research level only and are not for clinical use or for action for clinical decisions.
You will be asked to provide information about your medical history, diet and lifestyle information and personal and family history of cancer. Additional contact by phone or email may be necessary during the course of the study to maintain your comprehensive medical information.
You have the right to withdraw your permission for the research doctors and participating DF/HCC entities to use or share your protected health information. We will not be able to withdraw all the information that already has been used or shared with others to carry out related activities such as oversight, or that is needed to ensure quality of the study. To withdraw your permission, you must do so in writing by contacting the study team at the information found in the "contact us" page.
The sponsor of this study is Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Your personal information and/or biospecimens collected during this study may be stored and used for future research. Any personal identifiers will be removed, before they are shared, so that the information or samples cannot be linked back to you. As a result, we will no longer be able to identify and destroy them. Investigators, including investigators from collaborating institutions, can request this data and samples for new research. Samples and data may also be shared with outside non-profit academic investigators as well as with for-profit pharmaceutical investigators or commercial entities, with whom we collaborate. You will not be asked to provide additional informed consent for the use of your de-identified information or samples in future research. Future research studies may include genetic research. Your genes are unique to you. At this time, you cannot be identified through this research, if the samples and specimens are de-identified. There is a risk that you might be reidentified in the future as genetic research progresses.
You may contact the study team at InAdvanceStudy@dfci.harvard.edu or 857-215-1892.
Findings from this research will likely benefit some of our future patients and further our research capabilities.
There are small risks associated with obtaining a blood specimen. You may experience slight pain and swelling at the site of the blood draw. These complications are rare and should resolve within a few days. If they do not, you should contact your local doctor.
If you have questions please contact us.
Our team is available
Monday - Friday
8:00AM - 5:00PM
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