Predicting The Individual Risk Of Prostate Cancer In Australian Men
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$348,656.00
Summary
Prostate cancer is a major cause of disability and death in Australian men. A number of factors, particularly age and family history, influence the risk of prostate cancer but, in contrast to breast cancer, we don't know what is the risk of developing prostate cancer over a period of time for a man with a specific set of risk factors. In fact, while a number of statistical models have been developed that use a woman's risk factor profile to estimate her risk of breast cancer, none is currently a ....Prostate cancer is a major cause of disability and death in Australian men. A number of factors, particularly age and family history, influence the risk of prostate cancer but, in contrast to breast cancer, we don't know what is the risk of developing prostate cancer over a period of time for a man with a specific set of risk factors. In fact, while a number of statistical models have been developed that use a woman's risk factor profile to estimate her risk of breast cancer, none is currently available for prostate cancer. We will apply standard statistical methods to existing data from the Australian Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer study and from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare to develop a prostate cancer risk prediction model. We will test how factor like age, detailed family history, diet, baldness status and possibly previous PSA tests and prostate biopsies predict the risk. After developing the model, we will test the accuracy of the predictions in three ways. First, using existing data from the Australian Prostate Cancer Family Study, we will see whether the number of cases in a group of men is close to the number predicted by the model (calibration). Second, to test whether the model discriminate well men who develop prostate cancer from those who do not, we will collect family trees in a sample from the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study. We will use these data also to estimate the optimal cut point: men above this level of risk will be considered at high risk. Third, we will apply the model to existing data from the Dutch Prostate Cancer Family Study (DPCFS) to test whether the optimal cut point identify high-risk men and to validate the model in a non-Australian population. Finally, we will prepare a computer package that health professionals will use as decision-making tool in different scenarios including individual cancer risk assessment, design of prevention trials and targeting prevention programs to high-risk men.Read moreRead less
Estimation Of Transient Increases In Bleeding Risk Associated With Physical Activity In Children With Haemophilia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$102,143.00
Summary
Haemophilia A and B are genetic conditions which affect 1 in 7,000 males in Australia. These disorders cause frequent bleeding due to problems with the clotting factor in blood. Over the past decade there has been a move to administer clotting factor to children with haemophilia in order to prevent bleeds and the consequent damage to joints that occurs when bleeds occur in a joint. Participation in vigorous physical activity and sport is thought to increase the risk of bleeding. Because of this, ....Haemophilia A and B are genetic conditions which affect 1 in 7,000 males in Australia. These disorders cause frequent bleeding due to problems with the clotting factor in blood. Over the past decade there has been a move to administer clotting factor to children with haemophilia in order to prevent bleeds and the consequent damage to joints that occurs when bleeds occur in a joint. Participation in vigorous physical activity and sport is thought to increase the risk of bleeding. Because of this, children are often given clotting factor prior to playing sport. However clotting factor is extremely expensive. For example, a boy wanting to play tennis three times a week would require three injections of cIotting factor per week at a cost of approximately $250,000 a year. To date there is no good evidence about which physical activities are likely to increase the risk of bleeding. If this information was available clinicians would be able to optimise timing of administration of clotting factor so that it is administered prior to activities associated with high risk of bleeds. Another reason to quantify risk of bleeds associated with activity is to inform decisions about participation in physical activity. Every boy with haemophilia wants to know if he can play sport or ride a skateboard or jump on a trampoline. Informed decisions about participation require accurate estimates of risk. This study will use an innovative design to provide, for the first time, accurate estimates of the risk of bleeding associated with physical activity. This information will form the basis for clinical practice guidelines regarding participation in physical activity.Read moreRead less
Immunisation Safety And Adverse Events: Improving Our Understanding Of Causes And Management
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$295,223.00
Summary
As the incidence of vaccine preventable diseases declines, adverse events following vaccination become increasingly important for both public and providers. This fellowship aims to improve our understanding of the risks of vaccination, potential causes, including genetic predisposition and long term clinical outcomes. A range of epidemiological, clinical and genetics studies will be performed. All these studies are targeted to understand who, what, how and why vaccine reactions occur and what ca ....As the incidence of vaccine preventable diseases declines, adverse events following vaccination become increasingly important for both public and providers. This fellowship aims to improve our understanding of the risks of vaccination, potential causes, including genetic predisposition and long term clinical outcomes. A range of epidemiological, clinical and genetics studies will be performed. All these studies are targeted to understand who, what, how and why vaccine reactions occur and what can be done to prevent or manage them better.Read moreRead less
Analysis Of The Effectiveness Of A Simple, Inexpensive, Saliva-based Caries-risk Test
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$29,688.00
Summary
The project aims to develop a test with the capacity to identify children at risk of developing caries (dental decay) so they can benefit from preventive care. The effectiveness of the test will be assessed by how well it correlates with currently available tests and whether it can predict caries development in children classified into risk groups on the basis of the test. The test promises to be predictive of caries-risk, inexpensive, easy to interpret and rapid when compared to those currently ....The project aims to develop a test with the capacity to identify children at risk of developing caries (dental decay) so they can benefit from preventive care. The effectiveness of the test will be assessed by how well it correlates with currently available tests and whether it can predict caries development in children classified into risk groups on the basis of the test. The test promises to be predictive of caries-risk, inexpensive, easy to interpret and rapid when compared to those currently available commercially.Read moreRead less
IPrevent: Development And Pilot Testing Of An Evidence-based, Tailored, Computerised Risk Assessment And Decision Support Tool To Facilitate Discussions About Breast Cancer Prevention And Screening Measures.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,143.00
Summary
Women at increased risk for breast cancer should be identified and offered prevention and intensified screening. Yet most women don’t know their personal risk for breast cancer. We will develop a user friendly, computerised tool which, used with her doctor, will help each woman understand her personal breast cancer risk and the benefits and disadvantages of prevention and screening strategies. It will empower women to understand and take control of their breast cancer risk.
Predictive Models And Interventions For Coronary Heart Disease In Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander People
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$203,125.00
Summary
The main causes of heart disease in western countries are smoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. However, in indigenous populations, other factors may be more important. We propose to look at these conventional risk factors and others like diabetes, blood clotting disorders and inflammation to see which are best for predicting heart attack in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people . We will also examine the effect of heart disease prevention programs run by communities, to see ....The main causes of heart disease in western countries are smoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. However, in indigenous populations, other factors may be more important. We propose to look at these conventional risk factors and others like diabetes, blood clotting disorders and inflammation to see which are best for predicting heart attack in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people . We will also examine the effect of heart disease prevention programs run by communities, to see if they can improve these risk factors. Finally, we will use this information to produce educational materials and clinical tools for health services.Read moreRead less
I am an epidemiologist, primarily interested in the study and quantitative assessment of the environment-health relationship. Specifically, my current research focuses on development of innovative methods to assess the impact of ecosystem change (eg, clim
Notifications To The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency: Identifying ‘hot Spots’ Of Risk To Help Improve The Quality And Safety Of Healthcare
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$276,072.00
Summary
Health practitioners with performance, health or conduct concerns can present a serious risk to patients. Yet we lack reliable methods for identifying these practitioners at an early stage. Each year the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency receives 1,000s of notifications about individual practitioners. We will use this data to identify “hot spots” of risk among different groups of practitioners and help target interventions to support practitioners and protect patients from harm.