A Prospective Study Of The Influence Of Health-related Lifestyle Factors On DNA Methylation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$640,074.00
Summary
It is known that DNA methylation can lead to disease. We aim to discover what causes DNA methylation to change. This could open the way for new methods of prevention and treatment of many diseases. We will study 1200 people to assess how the methylation of their DNA is influenced by changes in their smoking habits, alcohol consumption, vitamin intake, body size, blood sugar and cholesterol levels. We want to know whether these changes lead to undesirable (or desirable) changes in DNA methylation
We will investigate whether there are particular patterns of DNA methylation in people who develop gastric cancer. This could provide a means of identifying people at high risk of developing the disease, which may assist with early detection. This would be expected to markedly improve survival. If we can identify lifestyle factors associated with gastric cancer methylation there may be opportunities for prevention of the disease.
Markers Of Androgen Action, Genetic Variation And Prostate Cancer Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$798,907.00
Summary
This proposal aim to follow up evidence from a number of studies that genetic and non-genetic markers of hormonal action in different periods of a man's life are associated with prostate cancer risk using a collection of three large, independent epidemiologic studies on prostate cancer named the Prostate Cancer Program. A principal objective is to collect exposure data on acne and digit ratio, and genotype cases and controls across the studies of the Prostate Cancer Program for common genetic va ....This proposal aim to follow up evidence from a number of studies that genetic and non-genetic markers of hormonal action in different periods of a man's life are associated with prostate cancer risk using a collection of three large, independent epidemiologic studies on prostate cancer named the Prostate Cancer Program. A principal objective is to collect exposure data on acne and digit ratio, and genotype cases and controls across the studies of the Prostate Cancer Program for common genetic variants in 4 candidate genes in the hormonal pathway. The established risk factors for prostate cancer are only age, race and family history. We anticipate that this project will cast light on the role of hormones in prostate cancer and that we will identify new markers of risk of prostate cancer and markers of disease aggressiveness. These outcomes will help us identifying men who are at risk for prostate cancer to target screening and surveillance, and plan prevention strategies. Furthermore, they will also form the basis for research on treatment targets.Read moreRead less
Genetic Epidemiology Of Chronic Respiratory Diseases From Childhood To Adulthood: A Prospective Study Of Sibships
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$889,220.00
Summary
Chronic Respiratory Diseases (CRDs) are a major public health problem. It is known that CRDs change over time but we have no information on causes of these changes. Some childhood asthmatics continue to have asthma as adults and-or develop Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) while others are free of any adult CRD. Some of those who do not have childhood asthma develop asthma and-or COPD as adults while the others remain free of CRDs from childhood to adulthood. To investigate risk facto ....Chronic Respiratory Diseases (CRDs) are a major public health problem. It is known that CRDs change over time but we have no information on causes of these changes. Some childhood asthmatics continue to have asthma as adults and-or develop Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) while others are free of any adult CRD. Some of those who do not have childhood asthma develop asthma and-or COPD as adults while the others remain free of CRDs from childhood to adulthood. To investigate risk factors for these changes, following up siblings over time is a powerful tool. As siblings share the childhood environment but not the adult environment, it helps to disentangle childhood environment, adult environment and genetic factors. The Tasmanian Asthma Study (TAS) is amongst worlds' major longitudinal respiratory studies and it is unique because it was conceived as a family study, with all the family members and the family environment being surveyed. TAS commenced in 1968 by investigating 8,585 school children born in 1961 (referred to as probands), their parents (16,267) and siblings (21,044). By the end of 2006, we will have completed the 37-year follow-up of the TAS probands, which focuses on non-genetic risk factors for middle-age CRDs. This follow-up together with baseline data now provides a unique opportunity for conducting a sibling study, which can concurrently examine genes, childhood environment and adult environment for change in CRDs. Also, it will provide a platform for future studies to investigate the progression of CRDs in this family cohort. Therefore, we now seek funding to extend the current follow-up to include the siblings. This will be the world's only population-based respiratory sibling study that spans childhood to adulthood. This will provide information for preventing chronic respiratory morbidity and disability in the future, which will be original and significant not only in Australia but also internationally.Read moreRead less
A Prospective Study Of The Effects Of Early Life Growth On Adult Mammographic Density
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$460,517.00
Summary
It is now well-known that a woman's breast density, as measured by a breast scan, is a predictor of her future risk of breast cancer. It is also known that women who are heavier as babies and grow rapidly before age 7 are more likely to develop breast cancer in adult life. The effects were strongest in women who had early puberty. It has been suggested that there are critical points in early life growth that contribute to higher breast density in middle-age. Population-based surveys with early l ....It is now well-known that a woman's breast density, as measured by a breast scan, is a predictor of her future risk of breast cancer. It is also known that women who are heavier as babies and grow rapidly before age 7 are more likely to develop breast cancer in adult life. The effects were strongest in women who had early puberty. It has been suggested that there are critical points in early life growth that contribute to higher breast density in middle-age. Population-based surveys with early life growth data on large numbers of women that span birth to adulthood are necessary to estimate accurately the association between early life growth and breast density in middle age. Few such studies exist; Tasmanian Asthma Study is one of them. In 1968, all 4,194 female Tasmanian school children born in 1961 were surveyed and height and weight measured. Subsequently, weight and height measurements were carried out on samples of this cohort. We are currently conducting the 37-year follow-up of the TAS and to date have traced 87% and achieved a response rate of 77% (2,850) for a postal survey. This included self-reported weight and height measurements and detailed information reproductive history and the use of hormones. Weight, height and waist to hip ratio are currently measured on 600 of these respondents. We have access to school medical records of the full cohort, which have weight and height data measured at school medical inspections throughout school years, and maternal records so far for half of the total cohort, which have information on birth weight and length, and period of gestation. Hence, TAS now provides an ideal opportunity, unique within Australia, to investigate prospectively the association between early life growth and mammographic density in middle-age women. We will measure breast density in these women now they are in their late 40s, using the Australian Mammographic Density Research Facility at The University of Melbourne.Read moreRead less