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
Risk Factors For Upper Limb Fractures In Children Falling From Playground Equipment - A Case Control Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$355,770.00
Summary
Each year in Victoria, up to 5,000 children attend hospital emergency departments with injuries associated with playground equipment. Approximately 1,000 children are admitted to hospital, reflecting the severity of these injuries. The estimated total lifetime treatment costs of these injuries is in the vicinity of $7.9 million (1996-97). In over three quarters of these children, a fall from equipment resulted in injury. Arm fracture is the most frequent and most costly injury. This study aims t ....Each year in Victoria, up to 5,000 children attend hospital emergency departments with injuries associated with playground equipment. Approximately 1,000 children are admitted to hospital, reflecting the severity of these injuries. The estimated total lifetime treatment costs of these injuries is in the vicinity of $7.9 million (1996-97). In over three quarters of these children, a fall from equipment resulted in injury. Arm fracture is the most frequent and most costly injury. This study aims to determine the factors which influence the risk of arm fracture in the event of a fall from playground equipment. It will focus in particular, on the height of the equipment and the type of undersurfacing. The study will involve interviewing children who have fallen from playground equipment at school or at pre-school. The results of the study will be used to make recommendations on how to improve the safety of playgrounds.Read moreRead less
Methylation As A Risk And Prognostic Factor For Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$594,913.00
Summary
DNA methylation is a process playing critical roles throughout life by altering the expression of genes. This study aims to investigate the potential use of methylation as marker of risk and early diagnosis of breast cancer in women with no clinical evidence of disease and marker of prognosis and response to treatment in breast cancer cases.
The Australian Maternity Outcomes Surveillance System: Improving Safety And Quality Of Maternity Care In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$820,438.00
Summary
There is currently no Australian system of monitoring severe complications of pregnancy. Many of these complications are rare, making them difficult to study and limiting knowledge as to their true frequency, cause and best treatment. We intend to introduce a national reporting system- Australian Maternity Outcomes Surveillance System which would provide the research structure to study these rare conditions, thus aiming to improve the safety and quality of maternity care provided in Australia.