Which Modifiable Risk Factors Actually Cause Cancer?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$384,076.00
Summary
Observational studies suggest that modifiable risk factors such as low vitamin D levels, coffee consumption, alcohol consumption and obesity may be important in cancer risk. However, observational studies can only demonstrate association between a risk factor and cancer, and association does not equal causation. We present an alternative approach to help determine which risk factors actually cause cancer.
The SAVE Trial: Securing All IntraVenous Devices Effectively In Hospitals. A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$980,393.00
Summary
Going to hospital usually means having an IV drip in your hand or arm vein. Almost half of all IV drips fall out or fail because they are not well secured to the skin. This means patients miss out on treatment and have additional painful needlesticks to insert new devices. Serious infections can also occur. This study will find the best dressings to use on IV drips. Patients will have their drips glued in with medical superglue, or have one of two new dressings, compared with current usual care.
Intravascular Device Administration Sets: Replacement After Standard Versus Prolonged Use (The RSVP Trial)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,611,239.00
Summary
Most hospital patients need an IV drip, a small plastic tube in a vein, often the hand/arm. 14 million/yr are used in Australia. IV drips are connected to plastic tubing through which fluid & medicine is given. IV tubing is needed for a week or more, but is only used for 3-4 days as it was thought this might prevent infection. It is now thought that IV tubing can be used for a week. This would save $1 billion/year & reduce nurses workload. The research will test the safety of this approach.
Development And Application Of A Mendelian Randomization Framework Aimed At Dissecting The Biological Basis Of Ankylosing Spondylitis And Other Complex Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$279,666.00
Summary
Our aim is to identify genes and biological molecules that cause a type of autoimmune arthritis called ankylosing spondylitis. Our approach involves finding combinations of genes that are related to biological molecules of interest and then testing to see whether the gene combination is also related to risk of disease. We hope that our strategy will lead to new drug treatments targeting the condition.
Immuno-polymeric Drugs For Prostate Cancer Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$626,995.00
Summary
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men over 50 and the second most frequent cause of cancer deaths in Western society. Docetaxel is the first line of chemotherapy when other intervention strategies are unsuccessful, but 30% of patients suffer from severe side-effects. To address this problem, we will utilise carriers for docetaxel that directly target prostate tumours using a novel antibody approach. This increases accumulation at the tumour site while decreasing off-target toxicity.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is extremely common in Australia, resulting in disfiguring surgeries and deaths. Although cumulative sun exposure is important, some people are very susceptible, and we do not know why. This project hinges on the notion that skin cancer is a complex (many genes involved). We will utilize novel systems to harness this complexity to understand why some people are resistant and others very susceptible so as to design appropriate control measures and treatments.
Improving Sexual Health In Men With Prostate Cancer: Randomised Controlled Trial Of Exercise And Psychosexual Therapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$583,416.00
Summary
Sexual dysfunction is one of the most common and distressing side effects of prostate cancer. Despite being a critical survivorship care issue, there is a clear gap in knowledge surrounding the optimal treatment of sexual dysfunction in men with prostate cancer. This project examines whether exercise aids in the management of sexual dysfunction and explores if an integrated treatment model incorporating pharmacological, exercise and psychosexual therapies maximises improvement in sexual health.
Preventing Early Internalising Problems In The Preschool Setting: Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$893,870.00
Summary
Internalising mental health problems reflect inner emotional distress and encompass all symptoms of anxiety and depression. Affecting 1 in 7 Australian school-age children, many internalising problems persist into adulthood, impacting on personal wellbeing, family relations and workforce capabilities. This randomised prevention trial in the preschool-setting, screens for children at-risk and tests if a parenting program can reduce internalising problems across the population by school-entry.
Improving Quality Of Life In High-risk Cancer Populations: A Randomised Trial Of A Structured Intervention For Head And Neck Cancer Survivors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$493,220.00
Summary
Patients treated for head and neck cancer commonly experience pain, disfigurement, eating difficulties, depression and fatigue, undermining confidence and quality of life. This study aims to help patients self-manage their ongoing health problems following completion of treatment. This will be achieved through a randomised trial in which patients will be assisted by a trained oncology nurse to develop a tailored survivorship care plan focusing on the patient’s specific medical and emotional conc ....Patients treated for head and neck cancer commonly experience pain, disfigurement, eating difficulties, depression and fatigue, undermining confidence and quality of life. This study aims to help patients self-manage their ongoing health problems following completion of treatment. This will be achieved through a randomised trial in which patients will be assisted by a trained oncology nurse to develop a tailored survivorship care plan focusing on the patient’s specific medical and emotional concerns.Read moreRead less
How Language Develops, What Goes Wrong, And Why It Matters: Following The Early Language In Victoria Study To Age 13
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$857,242.00
Summary
One in five children start school with low language. Little is known about the long term effects on developmental, educational attainment and other outcomes later in life. In this landmark study we will track the children's language, literacy and wellbeing from ages 8 to 12 years. We will capture the children's ability as they finish their primary school education and prior to the crucial transfer to high school.