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.
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.
Why Do Some Breast Cancers Present At An Advanced Stage In Women In Australia?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$682,950.00
Summary
Each year since 1994, some 10,000 Australian women have been diagnosed with breast cancer and 2,500 have died from it; these deaths have led to loss of some 31,000 years of life before 75 years of age. There is no effective way to prevent breast cancer in most women at risk of it, the only possible intervention is early detection and treatment to reduce the impact of being diagnosed with the disease. The smaller the cancer at treatment, the better the outcome. The national mammographic screening ....Each year since 1994, some 10,000 Australian women have been diagnosed with breast cancer and 2,500 have died from it; these deaths have led to loss of some 31,000 years of life before 75 years of age. There is no effective way to prevent breast cancer in most women at risk of it, the only possible intervention is early detection and treatment to reduce the impact of being diagnosed with the disease. The smaller the cancer at treatment, the better the outcome. The national mammographic screening program, BreastScreen Australia, began in 1991. We expect that screening, through early detection, would reduce the numbers of women who die of breast cancer. Death rates from breast cancer have been falling in Australia since 1994. Despite this program, however, rates of larger breast cancers, more likely to have spread beyond the breast, are not falling. In 1997-98, the woman or her doctor detected nearly half of all breast cancers diagnosed outside of screening by detecting a change in the breast. Given that screening can detect cancers when they are small and that women themselves are also able to detect symptoms that may be small breast cancers and seek medical advice, we must ask why so many cancers are not diagnosed and treated until they are 2cm or larger and threaten life. This project aims to examine reasons in three broad areas: the woman herself, the cancer, and the wider health system, including the medical practitioner to whom symptoms or signs are first presented. Our study aims to understand the factors that contribute the most to the occurrence of larger breast cancers so that public health campaigns can be designed to increase the numbers detected at an early stage.Read moreRead less
Melanoma is one of Australia?s major cancer problems, but we still do not completely understand why certain people are at higher risk than others. This study is focussed on people who have developed melanoma at an early age (under 40yrs) and will compare their family history of cancer, skin features, genetic characteristics and various aspects of their previous sun exposure with people who don?t have melanoma. The large number of people involved and the fact that they will be selected at random ....Melanoma is one of Australia?s major cancer problems, but we still do not completely understand why certain people are at higher risk than others. This study is focussed on people who have developed melanoma at an early age (under 40yrs) and will compare their family history of cancer, skin features, genetic characteristics and various aspects of their previous sun exposure with people who don?t have melanoma. The large number of people involved and the fact that they will be selected at random from the population of Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane which have very different melanoma rates, means that the study will be able to clarify what roles genes and environment play in the disease. It is intended to be an international benchmark in this regard, and Australia is the only country in which a study of this scope could be mounted. Potential benefits from this research will be a better understanding of the way sun exposure affects people differently, depending on their genetic makeup, the place of genetic testing in assessing people?s risk of melanoma, particularly if they have relatives with the disease, and way in which skin features like moles should be taken into account in that assessment. Finally, it is likely that better information about the types of genetic susceptibility to melanoma in the population will translate to more effective programs for the prevention of melanoma and for detection of melanomas efficiently at the earliest possible stage.Read moreRead less
Cancer Incidence In Recipients Of Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,788.00
Summary
Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is widely used in Australia to treat patients with haematological cancers. The risk of developing second malignancies after HSCT has been increasingly recognised over recent decades as more and more patients survive. The proposed study will characterise the incidence and risk factors for cancer following HSCT. This information is essential for long-term surveillance and intervention strategies in both specialist and primary care settings.
Environmental And Genetic Factors In Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia: A Case-control Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,788,500.00
Summary
In most countries, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is the commonest cancer in children. One in 2000 children will develop this disease before their 15th birthday. New methods of treatment introduced over the last 30 years have resulted in cure for many children. However, one third of children diagnosed with this type of leukaemia still die and, even in those whose lives are saved, cure is achieved at a significant cost to the child, the family and the community. Greater understanding of the develo ....In most countries, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is the commonest cancer in children. One in 2000 children will develop this disease before their 15th birthday. New methods of treatment introduced over the last 30 years have resulted in cure for many children. However, one third of children diagnosed with this type of leukaemia still die and, even in those whose lives are saved, cure is achieved at a significant cost to the child, the family and the community. Greater understanding of the development of childhood leukaemia may lead to preventive measures. Most children with this type of leukaemia are very young, suggesting that factors to which parents are exposed may affect future children. For this reason, as well as investigating the health and lifestyle of the child, it is essential to study the parents. Recent research suggests an association between the mother's intake of folate during pregnancy and her child's risk of developing the most common type of childhood leukaemia. It is also apparent that genetic differences result in varying abilities to deal with toxins, which may alter the risk of developing some cancers. Diet and lifestyle probably also affect this risk. These observations and interactions need to be examined in greater detail. In this large Australia-wide study specific genes will, for the first time, be examined and analysed in conjunction with rigorous assessment of exposures thought to be related to the development of childhood leukaemia. Results obtained from children with leukaemia and their parents will be compared with those from healthy children and their parents. This study is unique in its attempt to assess gene-environment interactions in Australian children and their parents. It will clarify the role of folate and other potential environmental agents in the development of childhood leukaemia and examine gene variations that may affect cancer risk.Read moreRead less
Risk And Prognostic Factors For Breast Cancer Of Different Immunohistochemical Subtypes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$294,461.00
Summary
Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease. Gene expression analysis has identified a number of subtypes that are different with respect to pathology, prognosis, and response to treatment. Building on an existing cohort study, we aim to identify risk and prognostic factors for molecular subtypes of breast cancer.
Comprehensive Assessment Of Genetic And Environmental Risk Factors For Melanoma: A Population-based Family Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,679.00
Summary
Excessive sunlight can cause melanoma, a serious type of skin cancer. However, there are other factors including a person's genetic make-up that are thought to put some people at higher risk. Many 'healthy' people have small changes in their genes that might make them more likely to develop melanoma. We need to know more about these genetic factors. Our study will investigate how particular small genetic changes influence a person's likelihood of developing melanoma.
Cancer And Low-dose Radiation - Possible Effects Of CT Scans In Childhood
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$476,650.00
Summary
Despite 100 years of research there is uncertainty about effects of low dose radiation from background and medical X-rays. We will measure the incidence of cancer in Australians exposed to CT scans (medical X-rays) as children between 1985 and 2005. Our results, from follow-up to 2009, will show whether there is a small but signicantly increased risk of cancer and guide further improvement in radiation safety standards if these prove to be necessary.
Nutritional And Genetic Factors Associated With Genome Damage In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$715,131.00
Summary
This project will investigate the link between children's diet and damage to their DNA. Damage to DNA is known to accumulate throughout life, and to be associated with risk of cancer and other diseases in adulthood. If we can show that poor diet in childhood increases DNA damage in childhood, it suggests that poor diet early in life may also increase risk of cancer and other diseases in adulthood. This will underpin important, salient health promotion messages we can provide to parents.