What is the St. Jude LIFE study?
The St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study (St. Jude LIFE) helps researchers learn about the long-term health of childhood cancer survivors.
The information can help researchers and providers find ways to reduce the late effects of childhood cancer treatment. Late effects are treatment-related health conditions that happen months or years after treatment is over.
The study began in 2007. It has more than 6,000 participants.
How the St. Jude LIFE study works
St. Jude LIFE participants visit St. Jude about every 5 years for health checkups and tests. Participants also complete surveys about their health.
Current participants received cancer treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital between 1962–2012 and selected groups after 2012. The study also has a control group of adults who did not have childhood cancer.
The study seeks to:
- Learn how common late effects are
- Find out how long it takes for late effects to develop
- Learn how to predict who will have late effects
- Know what health screenings childhood cancer survivors should have
- Know more about what actions childhood cancer survivors can take to prevent and manage late effects
How the St. Jude LIFE study helps
Information from the study helps health care providers:
- Suggest follow-up care plans
- Adjust treatment plans to reduce late effects in future patients
- Work with long-term survivors to help them stay healthy
St. Jude LIFE participants help improve the lives of fellow childhood cancer survivors. They also learn more about their own health. If test results show any possible problems, the staff can help participants find health care in their communities.