Perinatal Outcomes Following Treatment For Cervical Dysplasia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$98,600.00
Summary
A very high proportion of women in Australia have regular cervical screening ('pap' tests) for early detection of any early abnormal changes of the cervix. Women with abnormalities are referred for further investigation and some go on to have the areas with abnormalities treated either by surgical removal of small amounts of tissue or by other heat or laser treatments of affected areas. Many women having these treatments are of child-bearing age and may not have had children, or may seek to have ....A very high proportion of women in Australia have regular cervical screening ('pap' tests) for early detection of any early abnormal changes of the cervix. Women with abnormalities are referred for further investigation and some go on to have the areas with abnormalities treated either by surgical removal of small amounts of tissue or by other heat or laser treatments of affected areas. Many women having these treatments are of child-bearing age and may not have had children, or may seek to have more children after treatment. There are unanswered questions about the extent to which any or all of these treatments might, by changes to the cervix, lead to preterm birth in any subsequent pregnancy. In the proposed study, records relating to women referred from 1982 to 2000 for assessment and possible treatment of cervical abnormalities at a major hospital will be linked to Victorian birth records from 1983 to 2001. This will allow a comparison of preterm birth in the group of women referred with cervical abnormalities, with preterm births in the Victorian population, and comparing women who do and don't have treatment, taking into account other important factors such as the mother's age, and her previous pregnancies. The information will be of value to women themselves, to gynaecologists and to screening services.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.
Melanoma Diagnosis, And The Effect Of Screening On Depth Of Invasion Of Melanoma.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$399,961.00
Summary
AIMS This study will assess how melanoma is diagnosed in Queensland, and if improvements can be made. It will assess if skin screening gives earlier diagnosis of some melanomas, and also if it leads to the diagnosis of some thin melanomas which would not progress if left alone. SIGNIFICANCE Melanoma is the most common invasive cancer in Queensland, with some 1,963 people diagnosed annually with the disease. The outlook for these patients varies dramatically with the depth of invasion of melanoma ....AIMS This study will assess how melanoma is diagnosed in Queensland, and if improvements can be made. It will assess if skin screening gives earlier diagnosis of some melanomas, and also if it leads to the diagnosis of some thin melanomas which would not progress if left alone. SIGNIFICANCE Melanoma is the most common invasive cancer in Queensland, with some 1,963 people diagnosed annually with the disease. The outlook for these patients varies dramatically with the depth of invasion of melanoma. Melanoma diagnosed and treated when very thin has an excellent long-term outcome, whereas the outcome for deeply invasive melanoma is much less favourable. Improvements to diagnosis are currently our best hope of reducing deaths and serious distress from this disease. This will be the largest study in the world of the process of diagnosis of melanoma: information on how melanoma presents, and the time between presentation and diagnosis will be compared between thin and deeply invasive melanoma. Results may indicate areas for improvement in education or health services. The use of screening, either by individuals themselves or by health professionals, has the potential to achieve early diagnosis. However, there is currently no good information on whether screening is actually effective. This study will assess the impact of self-screening and doctor screening on the depth of invasion of melanoma at presentation, and ultimately on the likelihood of dying from melanoma. The study will also assess the potential impact of screening on the over-diagnosis of lesions which while labeled as melanoma, may in fact be biologically non-progressive. This is an important issue of current concern internationally. This study will be one of only two studies in the world currently addressing this issue. This project is directly relevant to the early detection and optimum management of the most common invasive cancer in Queensland, and will have relevance internationally.Read moreRead less
Early Versus Delayed Therapeutic Venesection For The Prevention Of Hereditary Haemochromatosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,012.00
Summary
This study will investigate treatment by blood removal for the inherited iron overload condition hereditary haemochromatosis: Is treatment more effective in reducing risk of disease if performed early as a preventive measure rather than later after diagnosis with symptoms? Details of the lifetime history of blood donation from the Australian Red Cross Blood Service will be combined with existing information from questionnaires and clinical examination of 1,439 study participants in Melbourne.