Population Health Modelling, With Applicationsto Asbestos-related Diseases, Cervical Cancer And Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,558.00
Summary
Population health modelling can be used to understand complex systems, through bringing together diverse data sources to answer questions of public health importance. We will apply modelling techniques to three public health areas, including: the effects of HPV testing on cervical cancer screening; the impact of the rapid uptake of PSA screening on prostate cancer incidence and mortality; and projections of the incidence of asbestos-related diseases.
Low-yield Cigarettes And Diminution Of Small Airways Lung Function In Long-term Smokers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$209,500.00
Summary
The modern cigarette has been designed to produce low yields of tar when the tobacco in the cigarette is burnt. The tar contains human carcinogens, and monitoring and regulating yields of tar has long been part of the comprehensive tobacco control strategy in Australia. This focus on tar has given an implicit endorsement of the low-yield cigarette as a safer cigarette. Recently, however, controversy has emerged about whether smoking low-yield cigarettes has reduced the harm done by smoking. The ....The modern cigarette has been designed to produce low yields of tar when the tobacco in the cigarette is burnt. The tar contains human carcinogens, and monitoring and regulating yields of tar has long been part of the comprehensive tobacco control strategy in Australia. This focus on tar has given an implicit endorsement of the low-yield cigarette as a safer cigarette. Recently, however, controversy has emerged about whether smoking low-yield cigarettes has reduced the harm done by smoking. The concern is that adenocarcinoma of the lung, a type of lung cancer that is most common in the small peripheral airways, has increased in frequency. This could be because the low-yield cigarette, with reduced yields of nicotine as well as tar, is smoked more intensely by smokers to compensate for the low nicotine. By smoking more intensely, we mean taking larger and more frequent puffs, inhaling the smoke deeply into the lungs, and holding the breath before expiring. This method of smoking would result in more tar particles being deposited in the peripheries of the lung where adenocarcinoma is most common. Because cigarette smoking has been linked also with other structural changes in the small airways of the lung, resulting in obstruction of airflow, we will test whether smoking low-yield cigarettes is associated with greater obstruction of the small airways than is smoking higher-yield cigarettes. To test whether the mechanism is the method of smoking, we will carefully describe and quantify each subject's pattern of smoking including the deposition of smoke-like Technegas particles in the peripheral lung.Read moreRead less
Asthma, Lung Function, Snoring And Passive Smoking In Busselton
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$115,110.00
Summary
Respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive airway disease, and sleep apnoea are common in the community, and asthma is becoming more and more common. These diseases are a major cause of morbidity, lost time from work, use of health and community resources and death. Using information collected by the Busselton Health Studies between 1966 and 2000, we will investigate some new epidemiological aspects of respiratory diseases. Some of the questions we will examine are: * How much more ....Respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive airway disease, and sleep apnoea are common in the community, and asthma is becoming more and more common. These diseases are a major cause of morbidity, lost time from work, use of health and community resources and death. Using information collected by the Busselton Health Studies between 1966 and 2000, we will investigate some new epidemiological aspects of respiratory diseases. Some of the questions we will examine are: * How much more common has asthma become in the Busselton population? Has the increase been more pronounced in some groups than in others (eg younger people)? Have other respiratory diseases also become more common? * Is decline in FEV1 over time a more useful measure of lung health than a single FEV1 measurement? How is decline in FEV1 related to age and other factors such as asthma, smoking, chronic respiratory diseases and hay fever? * Do the following put people at increased risk of sleep apnoea: overweight, recent weight gain, smoking, heavy alcohol intake, respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease and use of sedatives? * Do non-smoking spouses of smokers suffer more respiratory illness than spouses of non-smokers? We expect that results from this study will increase our understanding of the causes and progression of respiratory diseases, and may eventually point to ways of reducing the burden of these diseases in the community. Since all the information needed has already been collected in the course of earlier health surveys, this study will be particularly cost-effective.Read moreRead less
I am a cancer epidemiologist, specialising in molecular epidemiology. I investigate the genetic and environmental causes of gynaecological cancers, and their consequences (prognosis, survival, quality of life, economic).
Risk Factors For Molecular Sub-types Of Colorectal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$439,194.00
Summary
Colorectal cancer is Australia's most common cancer. It actually has several subtypes that probably have different causes and which may respond differently to treatment . The aim of this study is to see whether risk factors for a newly identified form of colorectal cancer, called CIMP, differ from those for the more common form of colorectal cancer. Knowing this may help us understand better how the disease is caused and so design better ways to prevent it.
Gynaecological, Oesophageal And Skin Cancer In Australia: Developing The Evidence-base
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$6,079,935.00
Summary
Our Program addresses cancers of the ovary, uterus, oesophagus and skin (both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers). The first three cancers together affect almost 4,000 people and cause more than 2,000 deaths every year while skin cancer affects almost 400,000 Australians each year. Our aims are, first, to understand better how these cancers are caused so that we can try to prevent them in the future; second, to enhance diagnosis of these cancers; and third, to improve the survival and qualit ....Our Program addresses cancers of the ovary, uterus, oesophagus and skin (both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers). The first three cancers together affect almost 4,000 people and cause more than 2,000 deaths every year while skin cancer affects almost 400,000 Australians each year. Our aims are, first, to understand better how these cancers are caused so that we can try to prevent them in the future; second, to enhance diagnosis of these cancers; and third, to improve the survival and quality of life for people who are diagnosed with these cancers in Australia.Read moreRead less
The Relationship Between Environmental Exposures And The Development Of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$88,141.00
Summary
Leukaemia is the most common childhood cancer and is potentially preventable. Little is known about the causes, although it is likely that both genetic and environmental factors play a role. The early age at diagnosis suggests that exposures before birth or in early childhood, may be involved in its development. This study will investigate whether non-occupational environmental exposures in these key time periods increase the risk of disease and thus may help to prevent the disease.
Infectious And Lifestyle Determinants Of Non-melanoma Skin Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$983,711.00
Summary
Basal and squamous cell skin cancers are the leading cancers in Australia, with about 2% of the population developing them each year. As well as sun exposure, a number of other factors have been thought to effect these cancers. This study will examine if factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption and infection with certain skin related human papillomaviruses also increase their risk. Even a small effect may make a big difference when it comes to preventing these common cancers.