Eligibility
Research on the Epidemiology of Prostate Cancer and Environmental Levels
Join Our Study: Understanding Chemicals in Drinking Water and Prostate Cancer
What Is This Study About?
We’re conducting a research study to learn whether chemicals found in drinking water—
specifically per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—might affect the health of men
diagnosed with prostate cancer. PFAS have been linked to several types of cancer, but we
still don’t know if they play a role in how prostate cancer develops or progresses. This study
is one of the first to explore that question.
Who Can Join the Study?
We’re currently enrolling participants for a research study on drinking water chemicals and
prostate cancer. If you’re interested in taking part, here’s what you need to know about who
is eligible:
You May Be Eligible If You:
• Are 20 years or older
• Have been diagnosed with prostate cancer
• Are receiving or have received treatment at Rutgers Cancer Institute
• Live in New Jersey as your primary residence
• Can read, write, and speak in English
When Can You Join?
• If you had radiation or surgery as your main treatment, you can join between 3 and
12 months after your treatment ends
• If you’re on active surveillance (monitoring your cancer rather than treating it right
away), you can join any time after your diagnosis
What Will You Be Asked to Do?
If you decide to join the study, we’ll ask you to:
• Complete a one-time, 45-minute interview with a trained member of our team
• Provide a small blood sample (to measure PFAS)
• Allow us to review information from your medical records related to your prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment
The total time for sample collection is about 20–30 minutes, and we will coordinate everything to be as easy and convenient as possible for you.
What Are the Risks and Benefits?
There are some minimal risks, including slight discomfort, bruising, or infection where blood is drawn, and the sharing of personal health and address information. We reduce
these risks by using experienced staff and keeping your data secure and confidential.
By participating, you’ll be contributing to groundbreaking research that could help improve
outcomes for men with prostate cancer. You may also receive early updates about findings from the study and play a part in advancing public health for future generations.
Have Other Patients Agreed to Participate?
As of March 24, 2026, we recruited 122 participants. We have completed 113 questionnaires, 85 blood collections, and 74 tap water samples.
What Has the Study Found So Far?
We are still in the process of recruiting participants, so no results are available yet.
However, we will make sure to share aggregated results as they become available.
*Data is still being analyzed; however, as of March 24, 2025, preliminary results indicate that of the 55 tap water samples received, no participant had PFAS levels above the NJ regulatory threshold. Out of the 63 serum levels tested, there were no major differences in PFAS levels in REPEL vs NJ or the US population. As sample collection and analysis continue, we aim to generate more precise PFAS exposure estimates.
Who Can I Contact For More Information?
You can contact our team at repel@cinj.rutgers.edu. If you’re unsure whether you qualify,
or if you have any questions, our research team is happy to talk with you and help determine your eligibility. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Community Advisory Board
We’re proud to introduce our Community Advisory Board, comprised of three dedicated individuals whose contributions have been instrumental to our work: Barbara Weiland, JC Irons, and Jimmie Staton. With their guidance, our team is gaining valuable insight into how to better engage with the community and share our findings in meaningful ways. We are deeply grateful for their support and commitment to advancing our research efforts.
Contact Information for CAB members:
JC Irons – jcirons1@bellsouth.net
Barbara Weiland – bweiland74@gmail.com
Jimmie Staton – jimmieastaton@gmail.com