Official Title Occupational Exposure of Structural Firefighters and Cancer Risk

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to better understand the association between occupational exposure to smoke and risk of cancer. The study is designed to study the exposure of structural firefighters in the State of Ohio to property fire smoke, and determine the link between such exposure and cancer risk. The biological burden (amount in the body - in blood) of environmental contaminants that are long-lived in the body and are emitted in property fire smoke will be used to estimate exposure to be used in the determination of its link with cancer risk: the amounts of this contaminants in the blood will be compared between firefighters in the state that have been diagnosed with cancer and those that have not.

Acute exposure at property fires will also be investigated by measuring environmental contaminants that are emitted in property fire smoke in urine and assessing work and behavioral factors that might contribute to increased exposure. The results of the study are intended to inform the development of effective exposure reduction strategies for structural firefighters.

Could this study be right for you?

You may be eligible for this study if:

• You have been diagnosed with cancer within the previous five (5) years, AND
• You are employed as a structural firefighter in the state of Ohio at the time of diagnosis

Age Range

18 and up

Official Title Assessing Reliability and Validity of an iPod App for Measuring Ankle Proprioception

Purpose

We will assess ankle function by measuring how well you detect ankle movement using an iPod app. This information will help us to determine the validity of using an iPod app as a clinical tool for measuring ankle function and perception of rotation

The results of this study may inform us if the iPod app is an appropriate tool to use in the clinical setting as a more cost-effective, faster, and accessible tool when compared to the larger, more expensive Biodex machine.

Could this study be right for you?

Three groups (ages 18-80) are eligible for this study:

• Group 1 - Those who are 60-80 years old, without history of ankle instability or nerve damage to lower extremities.
• Group 2 - Those who are 18-60 years old and have a history of chronic ankle instability, recurrent ankle sprains. Have had at least 3 ankle sprains in the previous two (2) years, but none within 2 months of joining the study.
• Group 3 - Those who are 18-60 years old and have been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy that has been induced by chemotherapy. Further screening will be done by the study team.

Age Range

18 and up