The NYU Women’s Health Study followed standard protocols in collecting blood samples from cohort participants at enrollment, and at repeat visits for participants returning to the breast cancer screening center for annual screening mammography.

Collection of Blood Samples at Enrollment

Cohort participants donated 30 mL of venous blood, drawn using collection tubes without anticoagulant. Blood collection took place between 9:30AM and 1:00PM. Subjects were not asked to fast, but time of last meal was recorded. Exact time at venipuncture was also recorded. After drawing, tubes were kept covered at room temperature (25 degrees Celsius) for 15 minutes, then at 4 degrees Celsius for 60 minutes to allow clot retraction and then centrifuged. Supernatant serum was partitioned into 1-mL aliquots in capped plastic vials within 2 hours after separation. Up to 12 labeled aliquots per blood sample were immediately banked at −80 degrees Celsius. Beginning in 1988, two 1-mL aliquots of the cellular precipitate from centrifuging the blood were stored at −80 degrees Celsius. At the beginning of 1989, blood clots were stored at −40 degrees Celsius as an additional source of DNA in two sealable plastic-lined aluminum bags.

Collection of Additional Blood Samples at Repeat Visits

Cohort members returning to the breast cancer screening center for annual screening mammography were asked to donate blood at each visit. The table below reports on the numbers of serum samples, cell precipitates, and clots that were collected.

Blood Specimens in the NYU Women’s Health Study