Linking Lifestyle And Molecular Biology To Inform Precision Public Health For Major Cancers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$8,487,111.00
Summary
The Program of research seeks to increase our understanding of cancer risk. We will use our large collections of population and family-based datasets to conduct innovative analyses, improving our understanding of the roles that genetic, epigenetic and lifestyle factors play in our risk of breast, colorectal and prostate cancer. This information should allow us to better predict a person’s cancer risk, enabling public health interventions, such as screening, to be delivered more effectively and e ....The Program of research seeks to increase our understanding of cancer risk. We will use our large collections of population and family-based datasets to conduct innovative analyses, improving our understanding of the roles that genetic, epigenetic and lifestyle factors play in our risk of breast, colorectal and prostate cancer. This information should allow us to better predict a person’s cancer risk, enabling public health interventions, such as screening, to be delivered more effectively and economically to those most at risk.Read moreRead less
This project will investigate the causes of respiratory disease and poor lung function across the life course. Using existing lung health data from Australia and Europe, we will determine which behavioral, environmental, occupational, nutritional, other modifiable lifestyle, or genetic factors play a role in lung health. This research will enable the development of a personalised risk predictor application for implementation with patients and health care providers as well as the general public.
Improving social and economic outcomes for children of incarcerated mothers. This project aims to identify how children’s experiences of maternal incarceration shape their life course. These children are one of the most vulnerable yet invisible groups in society and are rising in number. This project intends to interrogate system contact with child protection, justice, education and health agencies using a unique linked dataset across 30 years and over three generations, to describe social and e ....Improving social and economic outcomes for children of incarcerated mothers. This project aims to identify how children’s experiences of maternal incarceration shape their life course. These children are one of the most vulnerable yet invisible groups in society and are rising in number. This project intends to interrogate system contact with child protection, justice, education and health agencies using a unique linked dataset across 30 years and over three generations, to describe social and economic outcomes and how prison, child and maternal characteristics affect them. The project expects to provide critical evidence that can inform prevention strategies, with the potential to disrupt intergenerational patterns of profound disadvantage and reduce the social and economic costs of maternal incarceration to individuals and society.Read moreRead less
Associations Between Urban Nature And Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Australia. Urban nature (e.g. greenness, water, species diversity) is likely to protect against CVD, yet researchers lack knowledge about how this occurs. This project will develop new methods to measure urban nature and examine the relationships with different CVD risk factors (e.g. physical activity, air quality). The results of this project will inform urban planning policy, and help to create healthy cities that reduce CVD.
Risks And Benefits Of Breast Cancer Screening: BreastScreen WA Cohort Study Of Overdiagnosis And Breast Cancer Mortality
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$201,524.00
Summary
Overdiagnosis is the major downside of screening for breast cancer. This occurs when screening detects cancers that would not have caused symptoms in the woman's lifetime. This study aims to quantify the amount of overdiagnosis that occurs in the Australian breast cancer screening program (BreastScreen)
Cancer Risks From Low-dose Ionising Radiation Following Diagnostic Medical Procedures
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$750,579.00
Summary
Our study investigates cancer risk following exposure to low doses of ionising radiation from medical procedures. Our first major paper linked over 800,000 CT exposures to cancer outcomes in a cohort of almost 11 million young Australians, and found that CT exposure predicted an increased incidence of leukaemia and most solid cancers. In our ongoing work we will incorporate nuclear medicine and other diagnostic x-rays, and estimate radiation dose for individual procedures and to specific organs.
What Are The Lifetime Clinical Predictors And Risk Factors For Multiple Phenotypes Of Adult Asthma, COPD And Sleep Disordered Breathing? Following Up The TAHS Cohort From 1st To 6th Decade
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,950,689.00
Summary
Breathing gets impaired and impact on the productivity and quality of life when chronic respiratory diseases rise with ageing. Adult chronic respiratory diseases are major causes of illness and death but there are still many gaps in knowledge on how best to prevent and manage these diseases. The proposed program will provide evidence to guide health policy and clinical management of these diseases. These original findings will be of great importance both nationally and internationally.
Improving Efficiency Of Surveillance Colonoscopy For Colorectal Cancer Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$643,123.00
Summary
Greater awareness of bowel cancer screening has led to increased demand and waiting times for colonoscopy. National guidelines recognise the need for research to identify the best use of colonoscopy to ensure health funds are directed where they are needed. This study aims to identify how often colonoscopy is required for the best patient outcomes. Data about cancer and death will be linked to hospital and laboratory data to identify which patients need more or less surveillance colonoscopies.
Statistical Analysis Of An International 10 Year Prospective Family Study Of Gene-environment Interactions On Risk Of Female Breast Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,198.00
Summary
This study will provide new and credible information on how the effects of environmental and lifestyle factors on breast cancer risk depend on a woman's underlying genetic susceptibility using a large, international 10 year prospective family study.
A study of the provision of the emergency contraceptive pill over-the-counter in Australia. Australian abortion rates, especially among young women, are a major concern. The emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) is an effective method for the prevention of unwanted and unplanned pregnancy, with the potential to reduce abortions. The study aims to provide evidence of whether the rescheduling of ECP in Australia so that pharmacists as well as doctors can dispense it, has improved its accessibility ....A study of the provision of the emergency contraceptive pill over-the-counter in Australia. Australian abortion rates, especially among young women, are a major concern. The emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) is an effective method for the prevention of unwanted and unplanned pregnancy, with the potential to reduce abortions. The study aims to provide evidence of whether the rescheduling of ECP in Australia so that pharmacists as well as doctors can dispense it, has improved its accessibility and use by women at risk of abortion. It will also assess whether pharmacists feel confident, well-trained and supported to provide it and whether abortion rates have reduced. The study will provide policymakers with the evidence to assess whether this important initiative is effective and what is needed to improve its effectiveness.Read moreRead less