Explaining The Causal Effect Of Obesity On Colorectal And Postmenopausal Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$51,834.00
Summary
With rising rates in Australia and globally, obesity is fast surpassing smoking to become the biggest preventable cause of cancer. While losing weight might reduce the risk of cancer, most people find this hard to do. In this project, possible mechanisms linking obesity to bowel and postmenopausal breast cancer will be studied to work out how important they are for each cancer. Ultimately, the goal is to help design strategies for prevention and early detection of cancers caused by obesity.
Exposure To High Dose Estrogens In Adolescence: Long Term Effects On Mammographic Breast Density
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$89,050.00
Summary
Breast density is a well established risk factor for breast cancer, and has been shown to be reversibly influenced by hormone exposures in adult life. As one of the important roles of sex hormones during puberty is mammary cell proliferation, it is plausible that exposures at this earlier life stage might have a sustained influence on breast tissue composition and density, and subsequent breast cancer risk. This project aims to increase our understanding of the influence of sex hormones in adole ....Breast density is a well established risk factor for breast cancer, and has been shown to be reversibly influenced by hormone exposures in adult life. As one of the important roles of sex hormones during puberty is mammary cell proliferation, it is plausible that exposures at this earlier life stage might have a sustained influence on breast tissue composition and density, and subsequent breast cancer risk. This project aims to increase our understanding of the influence of sex hormones in adolescence on breast cancer risk by testing the hypothesis that exposure to large doses of sex hormones during adolescence has long-term effects on mammographic density. This will be done by comparing the mammographic densities of women who were treated with high doses of estrogen for tall stature during adolescence with women who were similarly assessed for tall stature but not treated. No previous study in humans has examined the long-term effects on breast tissue of high dose estrogen exposure at this early life stage. This is not surprising, given the difficulty in finding a suitable exposed population. This cohort of women, assessed or treated for tall stature, provides us with a unique opportunity to examine these influences. This research will add to our understanding of the influence of sex hormones in adolescence on mammographic density and breast cancer risk. If hormonal factors in adolescence are shown to influence mammographic density, this may lead to new avenues for breast cancer prevention efforts that are targeted much earlier in life. This information may lead to new research directions examining adolescent hormonal exposures (both endogenous and exogenous) and their influence on breast tissue.Read moreRead less
Endometrial cancer (uterine or womb cancer) is the most common invasive gynaecological cancer in Australia. Each year more than 1400 women are affected by the condition, and death is common amongst a subset with more aggressive disease. We plan to conduct a national study of endometrial cancer to identify options for prevention of the disease. No previous studies have looked at risk factors for endometrial cancer in Australian women. In particular, we hope to identify modifiable risk factors for ....Endometrial cancer (uterine or womb cancer) is the most common invasive gynaecological cancer in Australia. Each year more than 1400 women are affected by the condition, and death is common amongst a subset with more aggressive disease. We plan to conduct a national study of endometrial cancer to identify options for prevention of the disease. No previous studies have looked at risk factors for endometrial cancer in Australian women. In particular, we hope to identify modifiable risk factors for endometrial cancer, and identify genes that make some women particularly susceptible to the disease. There are at least two main types of endometrial cancer and limited evidence suggests that they may have different causes. Few studies have examined the two different types separately, and there is virtually no information regarding risk factors for the more aggressive forms. In addition, little is known about genetic factors that predispose women to endometrial cancer. In the present study, we will investigate which genes cause endometrial cancer in women who have a strong family history of the disease. We will also identify genes that are related to endometrial cancer in women with no obvious family history of cancer, and investigate how these genes interact with environmental factors (such as hormone replacement therapy and obesity) to cause disease. National epidemiological studies of other cancers are currently being conducted by our research groups within QIMR. In the present proposal, we will use our experience to build on the infrastructure and procedures already in place to conduct a new study on endometrial cancer. As one of the largest population-based studies of endometrial cancer ever conducted, it will be able to answer many of the questions that are currently unresolved. Moreover, answers will be relevant to Australian women and clinicians as well as to inform prevention strategies.Read moreRead less