A Case-control Study Of Environment And Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$808,948.00
Summary
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Australian women and there have been a number of recent events which have raised public concern that occupational exposures are contributing to the increasing occurrence of this cancer. In this study, we will investigate occupational causes of breast cancer, particularly shift work, industrial solvent use and combustion products. We will compare occupations of 1000 women with breast cancer and 2000 women without cancer.
Infections, Inflammatory Markers And Prostate Cancer Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$731,217.00
Summary
Prostate cancer is the leading cancer for Australian men but apart from getting older and having a family history of prostate cancer we do not know what causes it and nothing can be done to prevent it. This project follows up recent suggestions that some prostate cancer might be due to infections by bacteria and viruses. We will look for evidence of infection in blood samples and prostate tissue that we have collected from men with prostate cancer and from controls without prostate cancer.
Low-yield Cigarettes And Diminution Of Small Airways Lung Function In Long-term Smokers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$209,500.00
Summary
The modern cigarette has been designed to produce low yields of tar when the tobacco in the cigarette is burnt. The tar contains human carcinogens, and monitoring and regulating yields of tar has long been part of the comprehensive tobacco control strategy in Australia. This focus on tar has given an implicit endorsement of the low-yield cigarette as a safer cigarette. Recently, however, controversy has emerged about whether smoking low-yield cigarettes has reduced the harm done by smoking. The ....The modern cigarette has been designed to produce low yields of tar when the tobacco in the cigarette is burnt. The tar contains human carcinogens, and monitoring and regulating yields of tar has long been part of the comprehensive tobacco control strategy in Australia. This focus on tar has given an implicit endorsement of the low-yield cigarette as a safer cigarette. Recently, however, controversy has emerged about whether smoking low-yield cigarettes has reduced the harm done by smoking. The concern is that adenocarcinoma of the lung, a type of lung cancer that is most common in the small peripheral airways, has increased in frequency. This could be because the low-yield cigarette, with reduced yields of nicotine as well as tar, is smoked more intensely by smokers to compensate for the low nicotine. By smoking more intensely, we mean taking larger and more frequent puffs, inhaling the smoke deeply into the lungs, and holding the breath before expiring. This method of smoking would result in more tar particles being deposited in the peripheries of the lung where adenocarcinoma is most common. Because cigarette smoking has been linked also with other structural changes in the small airways of the lung, resulting in obstruction of airflow, we will test whether smoking low-yield cigarettes is associated with greater obstruction of the small airways than is smoking higher-yield cigarettes. To test whether the mechanism is the method of smoking, we will carefully describe and quantify each subject's pattern of smoking including the deposition of smoke-like Technegas particles in the peripheral lung.Read moreRead less
The Predictors Of Prostate Cancer In The Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,457.00
Summary
In 1990 we set up a long-term study of diet and health. The aim was to measure diet and other risk factors in healthy people in order to see how they might affect future development of cancer. To do this we recruited 41,500 people aged 40 to 69, measured what they ate and drank, and collected information on other aspects of lifestyle, medical history, and family history of common diseases. All had height and weight and blood pressure measured and gave a blood sample. People were selected so that ....In 1990 we set up a long-term study of diet and health. The aim was to measure diet and other risk factors in healthy people in order to see how they might affect future development of cancer. To do this we recruited 41,500 people aged 40 to 69, measured what they ate and drank, and collected information on other aspects of lifestyle, medical history, and family history of common diseases. All had height and weight and blood pressure measured and gave a blood sample. People were selected so that men and women and migrants from Italy and Greece would be included. In this way we could widen the range of dietary habits, other lifestyle factors and genetic variation (measured in DNA from blood). Since then participants have completed another questionnaire and instances of disease have been noted from self reports and from examining medical records. We want to analyse data from 700 men in the study who have developed prostate cancer (PC). First we will analyse data collected on all 17,000 men (collected when joining the study, and at follow up). Next we will use data from only the 700 men with PC and 1400 men who have not developed PC. This study will focus on measuring substances in the blood. We want to measure a range of fats, vitamins, antioxidants and phytoestrogens, as well as male sex hormones and related substances. In the DNA from the blood we plan to measure variations in genes that influence how male sex hormones and other growth factors important in the prostate are produced and used. We will then be able to estimate what affect these factors have on the risk of getting PC. We will also be able to see if any of them act together to make the risk of PC much higher in certain men. This work should identify what lifestyle factors could reduce the risk of PC. It should also identify what genetic variations are associated with increased risk of PC and thus identify a sub group of men who might benefit from early medical attention or from changes in lifestyle.Read moreRead less
Population Health Modelling, With Applicationsto Asbestos-related Diseases, Cervical Cancer And Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,558.00
Summary
Population health modelling can be used to understand complex systems, through bringing together diverse data sources to answer questions of public health importance. We will apply modelling techniques to three public health areas, including: the effects of HPV testing on cervical cancer screening; the impact of the rapid uptake of PSA screening on prostate cancer incidence and mortality; and projections of the incidence of asbestos-related diseases.
I am a cancer epidemiologist, specialising in molecular epidemiology. I investigate the genetic and environmental causes of gynaecological cancers, and their consequences (prognosis, survival, quality of life, economic).
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.
Gynaecological, Oesophageal And Skin Cancer In Australia: Developing The Evidence-base
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$6,079,935.00
Summary
Our Program addresses cancers of the ovary, uterus, oesophagus and skin (both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers). The first three cancers together affect almost 4,000 people and cause more than 2,000 deaths every year while skin cancer affects almost 400,000 Australians each year. Our aims are, first, to understand better how these cancers are caused so that we can try to prevent them in the future; second, to enhance diagnosis of these cancers; and third, to improve the survival and qualit ....Our Program addresses cancers of the ovary, uterus, oesophagus and skin (both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers). The first three cancers together affect almost 4,000 people and cause more than 2,000 deaths every year while skin cancer affects almost 400,000 Australians each year. Our aims are, first, to understand better how these cancers are caused so that we can try to prevent them in the future; second, to enhance diagnosis of these cancers; and third, to improve the survival and quality of life for people who are diagnosed with these cancers in Australia.Read moreRead less