Table 1 Potential issues regarding the implementation of multi-national epidemiology studies

•Language

•Dual language versions (Russian & English) for all printed materials; use of interpreters

•Geographic distance between collaborators

•e-mail accounts for key collaborators; site visits, progress meetings

•Limited experience with epidemiology

•Mandatory training workshops for interviewers; audits to assure compliance with protocols

•Subject ascertainment

•Cases identified through manual record reviews at oncodispensaries and childhood oncology centers; controls identified from manual review of raion medical records

•Limited comprehensive cancer registry data

•Manual records review at oncodispensaries, childhood cancer centers and mortality files

•Lack of telephone to contact participants

•Mailed letters of introduction; field trips to communities

•Locations of study participants

•Field trips for data collection; assistance of local residents

•Radiologic contamination data in multiple locations

•Visits to multiple Institutes & offices; contacts of collaborators

•Adequate communications

•All research sites provided immediate Internet access

•Timely compensation for local investigators

•Direct pay facilitated by USA agencies (e.g., Civilian Research and Development Foundation)

•Common research protocols and joint methodology for individual radiation assessment

•Periodic meetings of all USA/FSU investigators to promote personal relationships and scientific value of combined data

•Data collation and analysis

•Establish Data Coordination Office in the Former Soviet Union

•Transfer all data electronically

•Data access and archives

•Access by mutually-agreeable policy

•Transfer data to USA institution for permanent storage

•Multidisciplinary international study

•Highly cooperative, joint international consortium with working groups