Breast CAncer STratification: Understanding The Determinants Of Risk And Prognosis Of Molecular Subtypes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$472,984.00
Summary
Breast cancer is not one disease, but many different types with different causes, treatments and outcomes. The aim of this project is to use genetic, lifestyle/environmental, mammographic breast density, pathologic and clinical data froma very large number of studies from all over the world to develop ways of predicting which women are at risk of particuar types of breast cancer, and if breast cancer develops what the likely outcome will be.
Randomized Controlled Trial Of A Video-delivered Intervention For The Early Detection Of Melanoma In Men 50+ Years
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$511,694.00
Summary
Unfortunately, men over 50 years are most at risk to die from melanoma. Skin self-examination, where a man inspects the skin of his whole body with the help of a mirror or another person, and rapid presentation to a doctor without delay if he detects a suspicious lesion has the potential to increase awareness for the skin and to improve early diagnosis. We want to assess if we can increase the rate of skin self-examination in men 50 years and over through a video-delivered intervention.
Integrating Behaviour Change And Technology Uptake Models Into Skin Cancer Prevention And Early Detection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$459,271.00
Summary
Two in three Australians will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, and skin cancer incidence is expected to increase. Therefore optimal ways to prevent and early detect skin cancers are of utmost importance to Australia’s public. By integrating the latest behaviour change models and technology uptake models to develop innovative interventions, this fellowship aims to ascertain that all Australians regardless of their location have access to optimal skin cancer prevention and early detection ca ....Two in three Australians will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, and skin cancer incidence is expected to increase. Therefore optimal ways to prevent and early detect skin cancers are of utmost importance to Australia’s public. By integrating the latest behaviour change models and technology uptake models to develop innovative interventions, this fellowship aims to ascertain that all Australians regardless of their location have access to optimal skin cancer prevention and early detection care.Read moreRead less
A Program Of Research In Behavioural Oncology: On The Interface Between Behavioural Research And Cancer Control
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,489.00
Summary
Health behaviours are very important in the early detection of cancer, and they often determine whether a cancer patient will have a good quality of life after cancer treatment. The proposed research program aims to increase our understanding of how to improve health behaviours in order to be able to diagnose cancer as early as possible, and to develop interventions that will help patients to have the best possible care after cancer treatment.
Effectiveness And Cost-effectiveness Of Systematic Screening For Lynch Syndrome (LS) In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$485,762.00
Summary
Lynch syndrome (LS) is an inherited condition that puts people at an increased risk of developing a range of cancers. We will use a detailed simulation model to evaluate the potential health benefits of testing new cases of colorectal, endometrial and ovarian cancers for LS, and whether this would be cost-effective. The aim is to identify LS-related cancer cases, so family members can be offered LS testing, and individuals found to have LS can be offered close observation/preventative surgery.
Anal Cancer Examination (ACE) Study - Annual Anal Examinations To Detect Early Anal Cancer In HIV Positive Men Who Have Sex With Men
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$60,926.00
Summary
Anal cancer is the most frequently occurring (non-AIDS defining) cancer in HIV positive men who have sex with men. There are still no guidelines for how to screen for this cancer. This research aims to determine the feasibility of implementing an annual anal examination to detect early anal cancer in HIV positive men who have sex with men.
Re-participation In Screening For Colorectal Cancer: Behavioural Outcomes And Predictors.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$687,438.00
Summary
Screening for bowel cancer (CRC) is an important public health initiative. It is most effective when undertaken regularly but there is little research on what personal factors relate to ongoing participation in a screening program. This study will determine the factors associated with ongoing participation in CRC screening and will lead to better screening programs and improved health benefits. This study directly addresses the Cancer Australia priority area re improving screening programs.
Assessment Of The Effects Of Pathogenic Germline TP53 Mutations; International Sarcoma Kindred Study Participants’ Views Of Feedback Of Genetic Research Results And The Acceptability Of Taking Part In A Pilot Screening Programme
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$55,242.00
Summary
The International Sarcoma Kindred Study (ISKS) aims to identify individuals who harbour germline TP53 mutations. TP53 mutations are characterised by the development of multiple cancers including sarcoma. This project will assess ISKS participants’ views of the feedback of genetic research information and will develop sensitive feedback practices. The acceptability and psychological impact of taking part in a pilot screening protocol designed for cancer-prone populations will also be assessed.
Screening For Colorectal Cancer: Attitudes Affecting Participation And Implementation Of Strategies For Improvement.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$468,760.00
Summary
There is good evidence that population screening for bowel cancer (CRC), based on the detection of blood in stools, is effective in reducing deaths from bowel cancer by around 30-40%. Screening depends on the use of a simple test to identify those who most need the complex and costly test which is capable of accurately detecting curable cancers and precancer lesions. This can be achieved with moderate effectiveness using simple tests (FOBTs) which detect microscopic amounts of blood in the faece ....There is good evidence that population screening for bowel cancer (CRC), based on the detection of blood in stools, is effective in reducing deaths from bowel cancer by around 30-40%. Screening depends on the use of a simple test to identify those who most need the complex and costly test which is capable of accurately detecting curable cancers and precancer lesions. This can be achieved with moderate effectiveness using simple tests (FOBTs) which detect microscopic amounts of blood in the faeces. If we are to reduce the rate of death from CRC, we must have an effective way of encouraging people to do these tests. While much has been learnt from experience with screening for breast and cervical cancer, CRC presents a series of quite different issues that have never been comprehensively studied. These are: (1) men and women need to be screened. (2) symptoms due to CRC are more complex , (3) the high-risk settings for CRC are much more complex), (4) the community is not as aware of the benefit of screening, (5) the initial test can be performed at personal convenience in one's home, (6) participants must handle bodily excretions, and (7) inconvenience of attending a central facility is avoided. We will survey participants and non-participants to more accurately identify the barriers to screening, and the proportion who have not participated for informed reasons. To test the real value of attempts to overcome these, we will then offer screening by various approaches designed to overcome these. We are in a unique position to do this as we have well-identified populations who have been offered faecal occult blood test (FOBT)-based screening These studies will assist in the design and implementation of effective screening programs for the early detection of CRC in Australia, which in the long term will significantly reduce deaths from this disease.Read moreRead less
Case-control Study Of Reasons For Presentation Of Nonmelanocytic Skin Cancers At An Advanced Stage.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,614.00
Summary
There are about four times as many skin cancers treated in Australia each year as all other cancers combined and the vast majority of these are the nonmelanocytic skin cancers (NMSC). While most of these cancers are easily treatable, a proportion of these cancers are not given potentially effective treatment until the cancer has reached an advanced stage. Preliminary results from our pilot studies indicate that at least 50% of patients with NMSC who are treated with radiotherapy and 92% of NMSC ....There are about four times as many skin cancers treated in Australia each year as all other cancers combined and the vast majority of these are the nonmelanocytic skin cancers (NMSC). While most of these cancers are easily treatable, a proportion of these cancers are not given potentially effective treatment until the cancer has reached an advanced stage. Preliminary results from our pilot studies indicate that at least 50% of patients with NMSC who are treated with radiotherapy and 92% of NMSC patients treated with a graft or flap surgical procedure by the dermatologists in Newcastle are so treated because of the extent of disease at the primary site. These advanced stage cancers make an important contribution to the 70,000 admissions to hospital for the treatment of NMSC each year in Australia. The total direct health services cost of treatment of these skin cancers was estimated to be $232,000,000 in 1993-94, which was more than for any other type of cancer. Some 379 people died from nonmelanocytic skin cancer in Australia in 1993 and these were all potentially preventable deaths. The study aims are therefore to: 1. Measure the contributions of delay in seeking treatment and inadequate inital treatment to the need for treatment of skin cancer at an advanced stage. 2. Ascertain the factors that are associated with delay in seeking treatment for skin cancer until it has reached an advanced stage. This study will be the first substantial and population-based study of advanced skin cancer and the factors that underlie it. It will give the first empirical guidance to the design of initiatives to prevent the development of advanced skin cancer, a major area of cost to Australian health services. The study will increase understanding of why some skin cancers are not treated definitively until they reach an advanced stage and guide the development of interventions to reduce the frequency of patients who present with advanced stage skin cancer.Read moreRead less