A century ago, the leading causes of death were diseases like pneumonia, diarrhea, and tuberculosis. After years of research, doctors and researchers were able to control or eliminate these diseases by introducing clean public drinking water, antibiotics and vaccines. Today the leading causes of death in the United States are diseases like cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. These illnesses are difficult to prevent because they often start from a combination of lifelong behaviors, physical and environmental exposures, and one's unique genetic makeup.

Most of us know someone — a family member, neighbor, or friend — who is affected by one of these diseases. According to the American Heart Association, about 12,500 Minnesotans will die of heart disease or stroke each year. Also, the American Cancer Society estimates that 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will develop a potentially serious cancer in their lifetime.

The Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota will soon begin an important study called the Minnesota Urban and Rural Adult Life Study (the MURAL study) that will evaluate how an individual's lifestyle habits, like diet and exercise, combine with an individual's genetic makeup to contribute to diseases like cancer and heart disease. This information will be used to identify ways to reduce the risk of cancer and other diseases in Minnesotans.

There are two parts to this study: The first is a mailed survey. This survey asks information about the personal habits, exercise, diet, medical history, and exposures that participants may have had on the job or in everyday life.

The second part of the study is optional and involves providing a mouthwash rinse sample by mail. The cells from the lining of one's mouth in the mouthwash rinse will be used to isolate genetic material (DNA). This DNA may give us more clues into why disease happens.

Questions? Read Information for MURAL Study Participants, or call the study staff at the University of Minnesota toll-free at 1-866-434-9879, or e-mail muralstudy@epi.umn.edu.