Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]

A: No! While we are recruiting Vanderbilt patients to participate in the GAP Study, we are also looking for individuals diagnosed with appendix cancer around the USA! Visit this webpage to learn more about if you may be eligible to participate.

GAP participants who have completed their baseline survey and returned their saliva sample to our study team are entered into a monthly raffle for one of two $40 Amazon gift cards. We draw names around the middle of each month and will reach out to you via phone or email if you've won, so keep your eyes peeled! Recent gift card winners include:

Misty B, Cyndee W, Kat H, Kimberly L, Judine C, Nancy W, Janet C, and Tonya H, Amy V, and Christine H.

A: Yes! As a clinical study*, the GAP Study has been assigned a ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT05734430) and is accessible via this link: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05734430. 

*The GAP Study is by definition not a clinical trial. It is another type of clinical study called an observational study. More information on study types found here.

A: No, our meeting with not decrease the amount of time you will have with your healthcare provider in the clinic. Whether you decide to participate in this study or not, your medical care in our clinics will not be affected.

A: We request access to your medical/pathology records because they will help us accurately record information about your appendix cancer diagnosis. This is important because the GAP Study is working to understand how the hereditary component of appendix cancer may vary based on certain tumor characteristics.

Importantly, your information is secure, your data is protected with a code to keep it confidential, and your privacy will be maintained.

A: Saliva is a reliable, non-invasive and simple way to collect DNA for genetic testing in your home. This means your saliva sample could potentially help us discover a genetic link to appendix cancer!

A: Our team works diligently to get tests run and results returned as timely as possible but, due to numerous external factors with research, we cannot guarantee a specific timeline for return of results.

A: This process is relatively quick—it takes 2 to 5 minutes on average for most people to fill the tube with their saliva.

A: There are several convenient options to send back the pre-paid Small Box (with your capped saliva tube in the plastic bag and collection form)!

You may take the box to a local FedEx Drop-Off location, call the GAP Team to arrange a free pick-up from your home at (615) 936-8544, or visit the FedEx website to schedule your free pick-up at www.fedex.com.

A: Please allow 7 to 10 days for your saliva collection kit to be delivered to you--especially as holidays and special conditions may delay FedEx shipping. If it has been over a week since you submitted the survey and you still haven't received your kit, please reach out to our study staff at (615) 936-8544 or gapcancerstudy@vumc.org for an update on the tracking status. 

A: Your kit should contain an instruction packet, OGR-600 saliva tube kit, a clear leak-proof return bag, collection form and pen. If you are missing any of these items, please contact us at your convenience by phone (615) 936-8544 or e-mail gapcancerstudy@vumc.org, and we will be happy to mail you these materials at no cost.

A: Yes! We understand that collecting saliva is not an everyday event. Some tips we recommend are: massage your cheeks for 30 seconds with your fingers, smell or imagine acidic foods (like a lemon!), make chewing movements or think about your favorite food.

A: We recommend collecting the saliva sample in the morning before eating, drinking, brushing your teeth, smoking or chewing gum. If this is not possible, any other time of day works! In that case, it is important for the sample processing that you wait at least 30 minutes after eating, drinking, smoking, or chewing gum before starting your saliva collection.

A: One of the GAP Study goals is to learn about how genetic changes inherited from a parent may increase the likelihood of developing appendix cancer. To do so, we ask to contact your biological parent(s). If they agree to participate in the GAP Study, they will be asked to provide one saliva sample—mailed at no cost to them—and complete a short saliva collection form.

A: Our team is happy to assist you! Please contact us at gapcancerstudy@vumc.org or (615) 936-8544.

A: Your survey responses are protected with a code because we make every reasonable effort to keep your personal information private. Please contact our study team/coordinator at any time. Our team will look up this unique code and share the code/personalized survey link with you over the phone, by e-mail or text message—whichever is easiest for you.

A: No problem at all. Just give us a quick call at (615) 936-8544 or send us a note at gapcancerstudy@vumc.org, and we can get a new paper copy sent to your home right away at no cost to you! We will also send you a pre-paid return envelope for the survey.

 A: All paper surveys can be mailed back to the study office at 2525 West End Ave. Suite 800, Nashville, TN 37203, using the pre-paid envelope we have provided. You can also bring your survey with you to your next clinic visit at Vanderbilt and pass it on to any member of your medical team or study staff. 

A: If you would like to learn more about the GAP Study, please visit the other sections of our website. You may also reach out to us anytime, and our team will be more than happy to speak with you! At your convenience, our staff is available by phone at (615) 936-8544 or e-mail at gapcancerstudy@vumc.org.

A: Please call or e-mail us at gapcancerstudy@vumc.org with your request, and we will arrange to send you a copy of the article via e-mail (PDF) or postal mail (paper).