What is the purpose of the study?
People who used to smoke cigarettes continue to be at higher risk of developing lung cancer than people who never smoked, even years after quitting. This study will look at how a specific chemical, phenanthrene, is broken down in the lungs of former smokers and non-smokers. If former smokers break down chemicals in a more harmful way, it might help explain their higher risk for lung cancer.
How often are the research visits?
Before the study visit you will attend a virtual or in-person consent meeting to discuss the study in detail to make sure you want to participate and that you are eligible. You will be asked to attend one in-person study visit, lasting 1-2 hours. At the end of your visit, you will collect all your urine for 24 hours and return it when you are done.
What will I be doing in this research study?
For this study you will fill out questionnaires about your demographics, environmental exposures, tobacco / alcohol / substance use history, medical history, and medication use. At the study visit you will have your blood pressure and heart rate measured to make sure you are eligible to participate.
You will be asked to provide a urine sample and take a carbon monoxide (CO) breath test to confirm that you have not been smoking or exposed to smoke, and provide one 10 mL tube of blood. Then you will vape an e-liquid containing phenanthrene, which will mimic the breakdown of other cancer-causing chemicals. You will wait in the study clinic for 15 minutes after vaping.
Your blood pressure and heart rate will be measured before you leave. You will collect all your urine for the next 24 hours and return it the next day when you finish. You will also be asked to report any symptoms you might experience.
Will I be compensated?
Receive $300 for your contribution to this research - $25 for completing the in-person study visit and $275 when you drop off your 24-hour urine sample.
What should I do if I have any questions?
If you would like to learn more about this study or find out if you qualify, please email [email protected]
To see if you are eligible, fill out this brief survey: https://redcap.link/VapedPhe