Leukaemia, the most common form of childhood cancer, constitutes an important component of Australia's overall cancer burden. We aim to improve our understanding of the genetic and familial contributions to this disease. By establishing the Victorian Paediatric Family Cancer Study, we have evidence of a relationship between maternal age, onset of leukaema and overall risk of cancer in the family. We aim to determine if this finding is genetically based, implying a larger inherited component than ....Leukaemia, the most common form of childhood cancer, constitutes an important component of Australia's overall cancer burden. We aim to improve our understanding of the genetic and familial contributions to this disease. By establishing the Victorian Paediatric Family Cancer Study, we have evidence of a relationship between maternal age, onset of leukaema and overall risk of cancer in the family. We aim to determine if this finding is genetically based, implying a larger inherited component than previously recognized.Read moreRead less
Practice- And Policy-relevant Research In Skin Cancer Epidemiology, Prevention And Screening
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$483,402.00
Summary
This Fellowship will enable me to lead an internationally-competitive program of research in skin cancer epidemiology, prevention & screening that will lead to improved patient and population health through impacts on clinical practice and health policy. My aim is to lead paradigm-shifting contributions in: ? Genetic epidemiology of melanoma, ? Precision skin cancer prevention & screening, and ? Public health genomics for cancer prevention.
Improving Cancer Outcomes In Under-studied Cancers By Understanding Their Risk Factors And Patterns Of Cancer Care.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$421,747.00
Summary
Cancer is the second leading cause of disease burden in Australia. Much can be done to reduce this burden through effective cancer prevention and ensuring all patients receive optimal evidence-based care. This research focuses on thyroid, kidney and ovarian cancer and aims to increase knowledge of these cancers’ causes and to investigate variation in patient care and its impact on outcomes. Ultimately the objective of the work is to decrease Australia’s cancer burden.
The Relationship Between Immune Dysregulation, Infection And Cancer Incidence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,558.00
Summary
The research aims to better understand the relationship between immune dysfunction, infection and the development of cancer. Established scientific methods will be used to examine the incidence and risk factors for cancer in people with impaired immunity, such as organ transplant recipients, and people with autoimmune disease. This knowledge is important in advancing our understanding of the causes of cancer, and in developing appropriate preventive strategies and health care for these people.
Reducing The Burden Of Disease And Inequity Related To Indigenous Australians With Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$475,946.00
Summary
Indigenous Australians have higher incidence of cancers, higher cancer mortality rates and poorer survival compared to other Australians. My proposed program of research aims to improve patient outcomes and survival of Indigenous people with cancer. The proposed work will examine cancer care at the primary and hospital setting, identify deficiencies, and suggest mechanisms for improvement (an intervention will be tested).
Cancer Epidemiology In High-risk Populations And Complex Cancers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,716.00
Summary
My research program aims to better understand the causes of cancer and factors that influence outcomes after cancer diagnosis. It employs classical and innovative cancer epidemiology and includes large-scale studies of cancer incidence, survival and risk factors in people with immune dysfunction. It also includes studies of lymphoid malignancies and ‘cancer of unknown primary’ origin. The research program aims to build an evidence base for interventions that will reduce the burden of cancer nati ....My research program aims to better understand the causes of cancer and factors that influence outcomes after cancer diagnosis. It employs classical and innovative cancer epidemiology and includes large-scale studies of cancer incidence, survival and risk factors in people with immune dysfunction. It also includes studies of lymphoid malignancies and ‘cancer of unknown primary’ origin. The research program aims to build an evidence base for interventions that will reduce the burden of cancer nationally and internationally.Read moreRead less
Quantifying And Understanding Spatial Inequalities In Cancer Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,946.00
Summary
Outcomes for people with cancer depend on where they live; typically poorer in rural and socio-economically disadvantaged areas. However we know very little about why these inequalities exist. My proposed program of research develops and applies emerging statistical and spatial techniques to a unique set of registry and research data to examine the contribution of various individual- and area-level factors to cancer outcomes; increasing our capacity to intervene to reduce these inequalities.
Using Epidemiological Methods To Investigate How Genetic, Environmental And Lifestyle Factors Influence Cancer Incidence And Cancer Survivorship; And Translation Into Cancer Prevention And Policy Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$421,747.00
Summary
This research program focuses on investigating genetic, environmental and lifestyle causes of cancer, preventing new cases of cancer, and improving outcomes after a cancer diagnosis, particularly for melanoma and gynaecological cancer, which carry a heavy burden in the Australian population. The research will also inform the best allocation of health system resources for cancer control, and ensure translation of research findings into cancer prevention, clinical practice and policy outcomes.
Novel Genetic And Environmental Modifiers Of The Risk Of Iron Overload-related Disease In HFE-associated Hereditary Haemochromatosis In Cohort Of Middle-aged Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,716.00
Summary
People who carry mutations in the HFE gene are pre-disposed to body iron overload but not all of them developed subsequent disease. According to the investigators of the “HealthIron” study in Melbourne, only 28% of men and 1% of women with faulty HFE genes go on to develop disease. This study has recruited more than 1,000 people from the community, and will determine which environmental and genetic risk factors stop people with iron overload from getting symptoms of disease.
Oral Human Papillomavirus Infection In Head And Neck Cancers And The General Population.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$422,800.00
Summary
Mucosal cancers of the head and neck are the sixth most common type of cancer worldwide and are increasing in Australia. Human papillomaviruses (HPV), which are the major cause of cervical cancer and the cause of 5% of all human cancers, have recently also been implicated as a cause of some types of head and neck cancer, especially in patients younger than 50 years. In this project we will investigate how HPV infection regulates the expression of key genes in cancers of the head and neck, and ho ....Mucosal cancers of the head and neck are the sixth most common type of cancer worldwide and are increasing in Australia. Human papillomaviruses (HPV), which are the major cause of cervical cancer and the cause of 5% of all human cancers, have recently also been implicated as a cause of some types of head and neck cancer, especially in patients younger than 50 years. In this project we will investigate how HPV infection regulates the expression of key genes in cancers of the head and neck, and how that affects prognosis of this disease.Read moreRead less