Your Family's Cancer Center

Happy family

The Masonic Cancer Center is here for your entire family. Our research efforts are aimed at finding cures for cancer that affects all age groups, along with reducing the burden of cancer for every patient. One way we're accomplishing this is through the 10,000 Families Study. The study seeks to understand how genetics and shared habits contribute to health and disease. Our goal is to enroll 10,000 families with young children, their parents, siblings, and grandparents.

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Meet a Researcher

Photo of Heather Nelson

"We are conducting a study of 10,000 families because health, diseases, and risk factors can run in families. A multigenerational study will help us understand how genetics and shared habits contribute to health and disease. This study will help us gain a better understanding of how to help current and future generations of Minnesotans be as healthy as possible."

Heather Nelson, PhD, MPH
Associate Professor, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health
SPECS Program Leader, Masonic Cancer Center