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PSA Testing: A Population-based Longitudinal Study Of Decision Making, Psychological Effects And Patterns Of Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$576,977.00
Summary
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian men and the second most common cancer- related cause of death. Since being introduced into Australia in 1988 the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test has been widely adopted as a method for detecting early-stage asymptomatic prostate cancer. However there is controversy about the potential benefits and harms of testing for prostate cancer. Little has been documented in Australia about the information men receive when consi ....Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian men and the second most common cancer- related cause of death. Since being introduced into Australia in 1988 the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test has been widely adopted as a method for detecting early-stage asymptomatic prostate cancer. However there is controversy about the potential benefits and harms of testing for prostate cancer. Little has been documented in Australia about the information men receive when considering a PSA test, what happens to men after having an abnormal PSA test and the consequences of PSA testing (including physical and psychological effects). The aim of this study is to interview a representative community sample of men aged 50 to 84 years and resident in NSW to describe: (1) the decision-making process regarding PSA testing; (2) the psychological consequences of men's PSA testing experiences; and (3) patterns of care for men who have had an abnormal PSA test. The main outcomes from this study will include substantial information on the experiences of men regarding patterns of PSA participation (frequency of, and reasons for, testing), the clinical management of men who have had an abnormal PSA test, the psychological effects of PSA testing (both positive and negative) and how decisions about testing are being made. This will provide important information to assist GPs, urologists and Australian men make decisions about PSA testing. It will highlight areas of need regarding the information required by men for informed decision-making and the support they require when undergoing PSA testing to ensure positive psychological outcomes.Read moreRead less
DCIS Management Since Publication Of Clinical Practice Recommendations: Surgeons' Practices And Women's Experiences
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,783.00
Summary
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ of the breast (DCIS) now represents 15% of all new cases of breast cancer. Although a benign disease, its diagnosis increases a woman's risk of developing invasive breast cancer and the goal of treatment is prevention of invasive disease. However the characteristics that predict this progression have not been clearly identified. Consequently women are confused about their diagnosis and both clinicians and women are faced with complex treatment decisions. The National Bre ....Ductal Carcinoma in Situ of the breast (DCIS) now represents 15% of all new cases of breast cancer. Although a benign disease, its diagnosis increases a woman's risk of developing invasive breast cancer and the goal of treatment is prevention of invasive disease. However the characteristics that predict this progression have not been clearly identified. Consequently women are confused about their diagnosis and both clinicians and women are faced with complex treatment decisions. The National Breast Cancer Centre (NBCC) published a set of eight clinical practice recommendations for the management of DCIS in September 2003 and a guide for consumers in 2004. Currently there is no information regarding how the treatment recommendations have been received by surgeons, the extent management of DCIS now follows these recommendations or the impact of the treatment recommendations on the medical experiences of women with DCIS. This project will fill this gap. The project aims to: 1. Examine the impact of clinical practice recommendations for the management of Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) of the breast on clinical practice 2. Determine awareness of and attitudes towards the recommendations among surgeons treating DCIS and to examine the relationship between these attitudes and clinical practice 3. Examine women's experience of a DCIS diagnosis, their understanding of its prognosis and involvement in treatment decisions after release of a consumer guide in 2004 This research will determine whether the publication of the treatment recommendations in 2003 influenced the medical care women with DCIS recieve and identify the factors associated with surgeons and women that facilitate or prevent the uptake of these recommendations. This information will be used to develop strategies increase surgeons' adoption of the treatment recommendations in order to ensure that all women with DCIS have access to the best care possible.Read moreRead less
Five Year Outcomes Of Care For Prostate Cancer In New South Wales
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$388,773.00
Summary
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Australian males after non-melanocytic skin cancer. Each year more than 10,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, and over 2,500 die from it. While the issue of early detection of prostate cancer through the use of Prostate Specific Antigen test continues to raise debate, the longer term quality of life outcomes after treatment for this disease remain of great interest to patients, clinicians and health planners. The Prostate Cancer Outcomes Stud ....Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Australian males after non-melanocytic skin cancer. Each year more than 10,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, and over 2,500 die from it. While the issue of early detection of prostate cancer through the use of Prostate Specific Antigen test continues to raise debate, the longer term quality of life outcomes after treatment for this disease remain of great interest to patients, clinicians and health planners. The Prostate Cancer Outcomes Study is an already established research project that was established in 2000 with the aim of documenting the quality of life outcomes of 2000 men with prostate cancer to five years after diagnosis. The Department of Veterans Affairs funded the study between 2000 and 2005, to establish the cohort, collect patterns of care information from clinicians and quality of life information from participants to 3 years post diagnosis. We are now seeking funds to complete the quality of life follow up for each surviving participant at five years after diagnosis. We also will assess rate of recurrence of prostate cancer to five years and seek support to be able to undertake linkage with death certificate information to determine the vital status of each study subject and begin analysis of five-year survival rates. Five-year quality of life information will be the main endpoint for this part of the study. Initial analysis of the three-year data showed a continued improvement in outcomes related to urinary and sexual function. We wish to determine whether these improvements continue to five years and the extent of the difference, at that time, between men with prostate cancer and men without prostate cancer (controls), whom we are also studying. This information will be uniquely useful in helping men make decisions about treatment options when diagnosed with prostate cancer.Read moreRead less