Practice- And Policy-relevant Research In Skin Cancer Epidemiology, Prevention And Screening
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$483,402.00
Summary
This Fellowship will enable me to lead an internationally-competitive program of research in skin cancer epidemiology, prevention & screening that will lead to improved patient and population health through impacts on clinical practice and health policy. My aim is to lead paradigm-shifting contributions in: ? Genetic epidemiology of melanoma, ? Precision skin cancer prevention & screening, and ? Public health genomics for cancer prevention.
Testing And Treatment For Prostate Cancer In Australia: Epidemiology And Modelling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$267,886.00
Summary
We aim to use observational data and mathematical modelling to investigate testing and treatment for prostate cancer in Australia. We will incorporate changes in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and in clinical practice to investigate: a) over-diagnosis, being cancer cases diagnosed through PSA testing that would not have been otherwise diagnosed; b) the effect of PSA testing on prostate cancer mortality; and c) mortality and health care use under different PSA test scenarios.
Quantifying Breast Cancer Over-diagnosis In An Organized Mammography Screening Program
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,314.00
Summary
While breast screening reduces breast cancer deaths by finding cancers earlier, it may also find cancers that would never have required treatment. Currently there is no clear consensus about the level over-diagnosis. This study will examine the extent of over-diagnosis by comparing the breast screening histories of women diagnosed with breast cancer and women who have not had breast cancer. Findings will inform policy on breast screening in Australia.
The Prevalence, Incidence And Natural History Of Anal Cellular Abnormalities In Mature-aged Homosexual Men
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$144,725.00
Summary
Anal cancer is one of the most common cancers in homosexual men and rates in Australia are now higher than those of cervical cancer prior to the introduction of routine cervical screening in women. The Mature Aged Gay MenÍs Anal Health Study will enrol 1000 men over 45 years old and follow them for up to 5 years to investigate the progression of anal pre-cancerous lesions in men and the potential of a screening program to allow early detection of these lesions.
Risks And Benefits Of Breast Cancer Screening: BreastScreen WA Cohort Study Of Overdiagnosis And Breast Cancer Mortality
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$201,524.00
Summary
Overdiagnosis is the major downside of screening for breast cancer. This occurs when screening detects cancers that would not have caused symptoms in the woman's lifetime. This study aims to quantify the amount of overdiagnosis that occurs in the Australian breast cancer screening program (BreastScreen)
Automated Mammographic Measures That Predict Breast Cancer Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$406,260.00
Summary
Mammographic density (MD) is one of the strongest predictors of breast cancer risk but its impractical measurement prevents its use in a clinical setting. An automated measure of MD would allow screening programs to identify and target women at higher risk of breast cancer which could lead to earlier diagnoses and better breast cancer outcomes. We aim to develop an automated measurement, maximized by its ability to predict breast cancer risk, and applicable to both film and digital mammograms.
The Benefits And Harms Associated With Breast Cancer Screening In The Australian Context.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$80,222.00
Summary
Australia is caught in a dilemma. Breast screening is well-established however there has been fierce debate about the value of screening programmes. I will determine the frequency of benefit and harm due to breast screening programs in Australia to better understand the true extent of overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Based on this information, I will make recommendations about how breast screening should be provided in Australia in future and clearly communicate this information to the community
Randomised Controlled Trial Of HPV Self-sampling For Improving Participation In Cervical Screening: The IPAP Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$534,461.00
Summary
Effectiveness of cervical cancer screening relies on maximising participation. Unlike a Pap test, an HPV test may be self-collected and this may overcome some of the barriers to Pap testing. Overseas trials have found higher uptake for HPV self-sampling (between 3-30%) compared with Pap test reminder letters. We will conduct the first randomised trial in Australia comparing home-based HPV self-sampling with a reminder letter, to evaluate whether this improves participation and followup.
Cause Of Death In Men With Prostate Cancer: A Population-wide Data Linkage Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$305,255.00
Summary
3,000 Australians die of prostate cancer annually yet 100,000 are living with the disease. This project will identify the causes of death in men with prostate cancer. It will examine whether testing for the disease lowers the risk of death, whether patients are at higher risk of suicide or heart disease and if type of treatment is related to long term risk of heart disease. The results will help men and their doctors make informed decisions about testing and treatment for prostate cancer.