FAQ

The ASPIRE Cohort is a research study that will follow 20,000+ Asian Americans over time to study health and cancer.  

The goal of this study is to build an Asian American cohort across the United States. A cohort study is a type of research study that follows a group of people over a period of time. This cohort study will look at the causes of cancer among Asian Americans by collecting information from participants (e.g. surveys, saliva kits). This information will help our communities better understand how to prevent cancer. 

Our initial goal is to recruit 20,000 Asian Americans across the US. We hope to expand to include at least 50,000 Asian Americans in the future. 

ASPIRE will follow people over time, and we hope you will stay in the study over many years. However, you can leave the ASPIRE Cohort at any time if you choose. 

The initial phase of ASPIRE will include four surveys over a one-year period. Each survey should take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete. If you are requested to provide a saliva sample, that may take about 15 minutes of your time. All study activities can be completed at home.  

After the first phase, you will be given the option to continue your participation in ASPIRE. The more information you provide over time, the better we can understand the health of Asian Americans.  

We will do our best to make sure information about you is kept confidential. We will use your information only for study purposes. We will not sell your information to external organizations.  

All study data will be electronically and physically secured. If information from this study is published or presented at scientific meetings, your name and other personal information will not be used. 

It is important for Asian Americans from different backgrounds to participate. Otherwise, the study will not accurately represent the diversity of our community. This means YOUR specific information is very important.  

There is relatively little research on cancer in Asian Americans. Information about your unique experience can help improve the health of future generations. 

• Asian Americans are a diverse and growing population.  
• Asian Americans have unique cancer disparities.  
• There is relatively little research on cancer in Asian Americans. 

• Cancer is leading cause of death for most Asian American groups.
• Asian Americans have high rates of liver, gastric, thyroid, and cervical cancers.
• Asian Americans have persistently low cancer screening rates.
• Asian American women, particularly those who have never smoked, have higher rates of lung cancer compared to other groups.
• Breast cancer rates are increasing among Asian American women, especially those who are foreign-born and under 50 years old. 

People who have been diagnosed with cancer are not eligible to enroll in the ASPIRE Cohort, but can help support our efforts in other ways.  Please fill out this form to let us know if you are interested. 

If you did not have cancer when you enrolled, but are diagnosed with cancer while in the study, you can continue to participate. Your information will be very valuable in helping to understand cancer in Asian Americans. 

If you think you might have cancer, please contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible. If you are diagnosed with cancer, please let our study team know. 

The ASPIRE surveys collect a wide range of information. The surveys include questions on: 

•  physical health, health behaviors, health care, cancer screening 
•  immigration experiences, social support, stress, discrimination 
• education, finances, occupation 

ASPIRE is funded by the National Cancer Institute. It is led by researchers at UCSF, UC Irvine, UC Davis, UCLA, Cedars-Sinai, Temple University, Jefferson University, and University of Hawaii. 

ASPIRE is run by a team of researchers from UCSF, UC Irvine, UC Davis, UCLA, Cedars-Sinai, Temple University, Jefferson University, and University of Hawaii.  Please see the Our Team page to learn more.  Our team has decades of experience working with diverse Asian American groups and is committed to better understanding the causes of cancer in these communities.   

There are many different ways you can help with the ASPIRE Cohort. Please fill out this form to let us know if you are interested. 

Yes--you can complete the surveys using your mobile phone or tablet.  However, if you do not have a smartphone, computer, or tablet, please contact us so we can help you participate. 

To join this study, please click here: JOIN NOW

You can also email [email protected] or call 833-501-0598.