Environmental And Genetic Factors In Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia: A Case-control Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,788,500.00
Summary
In most countries, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is the commonest cancer in children. One in 2000 children will develop this disease before their 15th birthday. New methods of treatment introduced over the last 30 years have resulted in cure for many children. However, one third of children diagnosed with this type of leukaemia still die and, even in those whose lives are saved, cure is achieved at a significant cost to the child, the family and the community. Greater understanding of the develo ....In most countries, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is the commonest cancer in children. One in 2000 children will develop this disease before their 15th birthday. New methods of treatment introduced over the last 30 years have resulted in cure for many children. However, one third of children diagnosed with this type of leukaemia still die and, even in those whose lives are saved, cure is achieved at a significant cost to the child, the family and the community. Greater understanding of the development of childhood leukaemia may lead to preventive measures. Most children with this type of leukaemia are very young, suggesting that factors to which parents are exposed may affect future children. For this reason, as well as investigating the health and lifestyle of the child, it is essential to study the parents. Recent research suggests an association between the mother's intake of folate during pregnancy and her child's risk of developing the most common type of childhood leukaemia. It is also apparent that genetic differences result in varying abilities to deal with toxins, which may alter the risk of developing some cancers. Diet and lifestyle probably also affect this risk. These observations and interactions need to be examined in greater detail. In this large Australia-wide study specific genes will, for the first time, be examined and analysed in conjunction with rigorous assessment of exposures thought to be related to the development of childhood leukaemia. Results obtained from children with leukaemia and their parents will be compared with those from healthy children and their parents. This study is unique in its attempt to assess gene-environment interactions in Australian children and their parents. It will clarify the role of folate and other potential environmental agents in the development of childhood leukaemia and examine gene variations that may affect cancer risk.Read moreRead less
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
What Do Australians Think About Privacy And Participation In Epidemiological Research?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,015.00
Summary
There is very little research available, in Australia or internationally, about what the general public considers privacy to be; or how important privacy protection is in the context of high and low risk epidemiological studies. We also know little about what affects willingness to participate in epidemiological research. Our research will provide an evidence base, and develop resources for the legislature, the NHMRC, ethics committees and researchers.
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.
Osteoporosis is a major and increasing public health problem. Fracture, the ultimate consequence of osteoporosis is associated with significant morbidity, mortality and economic costs. The Dubbo Osteoporosis Epidemiology Study, starting in 1989, with over 2000 women and men, is one of the longest running epidemiological studies in osteoporosis worldwide. It has been at the forefront of epidemiological advances in osteoporosis. It has identified osteoporotic fracture risks including low bone dens ....Osteoporosis is a major and increasing public health problem. Fracture, the ultimate consequence of osteoporosis is associated with significant morbidity, mortality and economic costs. The Dubbo Osteoporosis Epidemiology Study, starting in 1989, with over 2000 women and men, is one of the longest running epidemiological studies in osteoporosis worldwide. It has been at the forefront of epidemiological advances in osteoporosis. It has identified osteoporotic fracture risks including low bone density and bone loss, muscle weakness and postural instability, as well as the extent of the problem in men, and the significant costs, ill-heath and mortality associated with fracture. Despite the clarification of risk factors over the past decade, there are significant gaps in knowledge about osteoporosis, particularly in the accurate prediction of fracture risk and in identification of factors related to fracture-associated mortality and survival post fracture. Although bone density is one of the best predictors of fracture risk, it incompletely discriminates between those who will fracture from those who will not. Although a number of clinical risk factors, and other measures of bone strength, such as quantitative ultrasound and geometry, have been shown to be independent predictors of fracture risk, it is not clear that these measures can be integrated with BMD to improve fracture prediction. The aim of the current study, is to develop and validate models using bone density, other measures of bone strength and clinical parameters that will more accurately predict fracture risk and mortality following fracture in older men and women. The more precise identification of those at high risk of fracture and at risk for poor outcomes following fracture will provide a rational basis for the development of more cost effective interventions for prevention of fracture and its associated morbidity and mortality.Read moreRead less
SES And Injury In Children: A Cohort Study To Identify And Measure The Effects Of Preventable Mediating Factors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,505.00
Summary
While changing an individual or group SES is at best a long term and challenging social objective, proximal risk factors for injury can be more readily modified. Once the proximal risk factor differential across SES groups has been adequately delineated, then the possibility arises for targeted public health intervention to redress the SES differential in the incidence of injury. The sophistication of the proposed modeling will result in a good assessment of the best point to target.
Maternal Health After Childbirth: A Prospective Cohort Study Of 1900 Nulliparous Women Recruited In Early Pregnancy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,150.00
Summary
Recent research highlights a concerning burden of ill health in recent mothers. Common health problems in the year after birth are chronic exhaustion, persisting pain, urinary incontinence, bowel problems, sexual problems and depression. This study will investigate the incidence, onset, severity and duration of health problems in the first 18 months after childbirth. A major focus of the study will be on the extent to which common health problems affecting women after childbirth occur as new pro ....Recent research highlights a concerning burden of ill health in recent mothers. Common health problems in the year after birth are chronic exhaustion, persisting pain, urinary incontinence, bowel problems, sexual problems and depression. This study will investigate the incidence, onset, severity and duration of health problems in the first 18 months after childbirth. A major focus of the study will be on the extent to which common health problems affecting women after childbirth occur as new problems in pregnancy, or after childbirth. This involves following women having a first child and measuring their health in pregnancy and the first year after birth. 1900 women having a first birth will be recruited to the study in early pregnancy, and followed up until 18 months after the birth. A major aim of the study is to provide stronger evidence about the role of pregnancy and birth factors in physical health problems after birth. In particular, the study will examine the contribution of method of delivery to pelvic floor disorders (urinary and anal incontinence, perineal pain and sexual problems). The study will also examine reasons why many women choose not to discuss physical and emotional health problems with health professionals in the postnatal period. The influence of cultural, social and economic factors on health service use and disclosure of maternal health problems will be explored. The study will provide the first Australian data on new health problems experienced for the first time after childbirth, and the extent to which pregnancy, labour and birth contribute to subsequent ill-health. The findings will provide stronger evidence on which to base the care of women during childbirth,development and evaluation of primary and secondary prevention strategies, and information to women and their families regarding the risks of obstetric procedures, such as caesarean section and vaginal birth assisted with forceps.Read moreRead less