What is the GO Study?

We would like to know if you would participate in a research study. The purpose of the study is to understand why young people get osteosarcoma. This project is being done by Dr. Logan G. Spector at the University of Minnesota.

What is involved in the GO Study?

If you participate, we will ask for three things: 1) we would collect some cheek cells from you to look at your DNA, 2) we would ask you to fill out a survey, and 3) we would collect medical records from your doctors to see how you grew, we'd also collect a copy of your birth certificate. We would get cheek cells from your parents and ask them to fill out a different survey. If one of your parents can't give cheek cells, we might ask your brother or sister instead (if you have one).

DNA — what is it? DNA is the genetic material in a person's cells that makes them unique. There are thousands of genes in each cheek cell which are made up of DNA. By studying DNA, scientists can discover what genes might cause young people to get osteosarcoma.

DNA — collection: The way we collect DNA from you is to have you swish some mouth wash around your mouth for a minute. After you are done swishing you spit the mouthwash into a container that we sent you. You may feel some tingling from the mouthwash but this shouldn't last too long.

DNA — storage and future use: We will keep this DNA at our lab for a very long time in case there are things that we want to look at in the future that we haven't thought of yet. You can ask to have your DNA sample destroyed if you want to until 2014. After that we will not have your name and won't be able to tell which DNA sample is yours. If you turn 18 before 2014 we will contact you to ask if we may continue to keep your DNA sample at our lab.

Survey and medical records: The survey asks about your diet, your exercise habits, and the time you spent in the sun in the year before you were diagnosed with osteosarcoma. It takes about 45 minutes to fill out. Your parents need to sign a form for us to get your medical records and a form for us to get your birth certificate.

What are the benefits of participating in the GO Study?

This research will not help you or your family, but it might help us understand why young people get osteosarcoma. We will be happy to give you the results of the whole study when it's over.

What if I have questions?

If you have any questions you can reach study staff at 612-624-3912.