The Effect Of Exogenous Hormones, Smoking And HPV On The Incidence Of Screen Detected Pre-invasive Cervical Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,201,168.00
Summary
Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death in women internationally. About 15,000 women are detected in NSW annually as having pre-invasive cervical cancer (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade I, II or III). Infection with certain high risk human papillomaviruses is known to be necessary for the development of cervical cancer. In addition, recent long term exposure to smoking and to hormonal contraception are two new factors considered as independent risk factors for ....Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death in women internationally. About 15,000 women are detected in NSW annually as having pre-invasive cervical cancer (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade I, II or III). Infection with certain high risk human papillomaviruses is known to be necessary for the development of cervical cancer. In addition, recent long term exposure to smoking and to hormonal contraception are two new factors considered as independent risk factors for the disease. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) preparations taken around the menopause are a similar composition to hormonal contraceptives, (oestrogen and progestogen), therefore women on HRT may also be at increased risk. No comprehensive study exists internationally to measure the relative importance of these exogenous hormones on the development of pre-invasive cervical cancer in a way that is of public health relevance (e.g. recent long-term use of oral contraceptives and time since stopped, and among smokers and non-smokers). No Australian data are available on the proportion of women who are current users of hormonal contraceptives or HRT. No local prevalence data on the major high risk HPV subtypes (e.g. 16, 18, 33, 45) are available for Australia to describe its distribution and to inform the cervical screening program and future vaccine initiatives. The NSW Pap Test Register holds the screening history of all women on the cervical screening program, hence this is an ideal source for recruiting a representative sample into a study. We wish to conduct a large study of ~2600 NSW women using the NSW Pap Test Register to measure the relative importance of hormones, smoking and HPV infection on the development of CIN II or III.Read moreRead less
Understanding Causes Of The Rising Incidence Of Thyroid Cancer – What Can Mutations In The BRAF Oncogene Tell Us About Causes And Diagnostic Pathways For Thyroid Cancer?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$610,222.00
Summary
The occurrence of thyroid cancer has increased rapidly over the last 25 years but the cause is unknown. The increase may reflect ‘over-diagnosis’ of less harmful cancers or greater exposure to causes of this cancer. Evidence suggests that a gene mutation (BRAF) in thyroid cancers is important in understanding the drivers of the increase. This study will examine the increase in thyroid cancer by investigating causes and diagnostic pathways considering the presence or absence of BRAF mutations.
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.
Explaining The Causal Effect Of Obesity On Colorectal And Postmenopausal Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$51,834.00
Summary
With rising rates in Australia and globally, obesity is fast surpassing smoking to become the biggest preventable cause of cancer. While losing weight might reduce the risk of cancer, most people find this hard to do. In this project, possible mechanisms linking obesity to bowel and postmenopausal breast cancer will be studied to work out how important they are for each cancer. Ultimately, the goal is to help design strategies for prevention and early detection of cancers caused by obesity.
Infant Thyroid Hormone Levels And Long-term Child Educational Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$149,782.00
Summary
Adequate levels of newborn thyroid hormones are essential for brain development.Newborn screening for thyroid hormone deficiency ensures early identification, treatment & prevention of severe intellectual disability.But there is clinical uncertainty in mildly abnormal levels.We will assess thyroid hormone levels & subsequent educational outcomes in 1.5M Australian babies.There is potential to identify infants who, without treatment, may suffer longterm disability & lower educational achievement
Infant Thyroid Hormone Levels And Long-term Child Educational Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$490,495.00
Summary
Adequate levels of newborn thyroid hormones are essential for brain development.Newborn screening for thyroid hormone deficiency ensures early identification, treatment & prevention of severe intellectual disability.But there is clinical uncertainty in mildly abnormal levels.We will assess thyroid hormone levels & subsequent educational outcomes in 1.5M Australian babies.There is potential to identify infants who, without treatment, may suffer longterm disability & lower educational achievement
Exposure To High Dose Estrogens In Adolescence: Long Term Effects On Mammographic Breast Density
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$89,050.00
Summary
Breast density is a well established risk factor for breast cancer, and has been shown to be reversibly influenced by hormone exposures in adult life. As one of the important roles of sex hormones during puberty is mammary cell proliferation, it is plausible that exposures at this earlier life stage might have a sustained influence on breast tissue composition and density, and subsequent breast cancer risk. This project aims to increase our understanding of the influence of sex hormones in adole ....Breast density is a well established risk factor for breast cancer, and has been shown to be reversibly influenced by hormone exposures in adult life. As one of the important roles of sex hormones during puberty is mammary cell proliferation, it is plausible that exposures at this earlier life stage might have a sustained influence on breast tissue composition and density, and subsequent breast cancer risk. This project aims to increase our understanding of the influence of sex hormones in adolescence on breast cancer risk by testing the hypothesis that exposure to large doses of sex hormones during adolescence has long-term effects on mammographic density. This will be done by comparing the mammographic densities of women who were treated with high doses of estrogen for tall stature during adolescence with women who were similarly assessed for tall stature but not treated. No previous study in humans has examined the long-term effects on breast tissue of high dose estrogen exposure at this early life stage. This is not surprising, given the difficulty in finding a suitable exposed population. This cohort of women, assessed or treated for tall stature, provides us with a unique opportunity to examine these influences. This research will add to our understanding of the influence of sex hormones in adolescence on mammographic density and breast cancer risk. If hormonal factors in adolescence are shown to influence mammographic density, this may lead to new avenues for breast cancer prevention efforts that are targeted much earlier in life. This information may lead to new research directions examining adolescent hormonal exposures (both endogenous and exogenous) and their influence on breast tissue.Read moreRead less