Infectious And Lifestyle Determinants Of Non-melanoma Skin Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$983,711.00
Summary
Basal and squamous cell skin cancers are the leading cancers in Australia, with about 2% of the population developing them each year. As well as sun exposure, a number of other factors have been thought to effect these cancers. This study will examine if factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption and infection with certain skin related human papillomaviruses also increase their risk. Even a small effect may make a big difference when it comes to preventing these common cancers.
Genetic and environmental causes of asthma are poorly understood. The WATCH for asthma project will study Western Australian (WA) families in which there was a twin or higher order multiple birth (twin families) in order to measure inherited and environmental contributions to the development of asthma. All WA twin families, whose infants were born during 1990 to 1995, will be invited to become part of an existing Healthway funded, population based registry of WA Twin Child Health (the WATCH stud ....Genetic and environmental causes of asthma are poorly understood. The WATCH for asthma project will study Western Australian (WA) families in which there was a twin or higher order multiple birth (twin families) in order to measure inherited and environmental contributions to the development of asthma. All WA twin families, whose infants were born during 1990 to 1995, will be invited to become part of an existing Healthway funded, population based registry of WA Twin Child Health (the WATCH study). The WATCH study has already invited 2,751 WA twin families to participate and is the only population based twin study in Australia. Funding of this study by NH and MRC will enable the extension of this unique registry to include more specific clinical information about those families in which one or more of the twins has asthma. In addition to questionnaire data, DNA and physiological information will be collected, including a potentially important new measure of airway inflammation, exhaled nitric oxide which has yet to be studied for familial aggregation. We will use the extended WATCH dataset to undertake a comprehensive investigation of the genetic epidemiology of childhood asthma. This work offers the potential to advance our current understanding of the causes of both childhood asthma and associated traits (e.g., 'twitchy' airways). By exploring the relationships between different components of asthma, we will generate information to assist us to design better epidemiological and genetic studies of asthma. At the time of recruitment, if consent is given, blood will also be taken for DNA extraction and frozen storage. This will generate a powerful data base that can later be used for to search at a molecular level for genes potentially important in causing childhood asthma. Finally, by extending the WATCH study database we will be enhancing a research resource that could potentially be used for future studies of common complex diseases other than asthma.Read moreRead less
Comprehensive Assessment Of Genetic And Environmental Risk Factors For Melanoma: A Population-based Family Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,679.00
Summary
Excessive sunlight can cause melanoma, a serious type of skin cancer. However, there are other factors including a person's genetic make-up that are thought to put some people at higher risk. Many 'healthy' people have small changes in their genes that might make them more likely to develop melanoma. We need to know more about these genetic factors. Our study will investigate how particular small genetic changes influence a person's likelihood of developing melanoma.
The Impact Of Household Infrastructure Improvements On Child Health In Remote Aboriginal Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$413,350.00
Summary
The impact of the living environment on health has been well documented in the last 150 years and it is widely acknowledged that improvements in the living, working and social conditions of industrial countries have resulted in dramatic improvements in health. In Australia the close correlation between an unhealthy environment and the poor health of the Indigenous population has been clearly recognised. In 1993-94 the Federal Government established infrastructure projects as a component in the i ....The impact of the living environment on health has been well documented in the last 150 years and it is widely acknowledged that improvements in the living, working and social conditions of industrial countries have resulted in dramatic improvements in health. In Australia the close correlation between an unhealthy environment and the poor health of the Indigenous population has been clearly recognised. In 1993-94 the Federal Government established infrastructure projects as a component in the implementation of the National Aboriginal Health Strategy. The selection of communities for funding has been based on need, and the Northern Territory has attracted funding support disproportionate to its total population, but consistent with the level of need. While there is wide acceptance of the relationship between the household environment and health status, and evidence to support this general relationship, there is a need at an international and local level for research that informs specific social policy decisions. The aim of the proposed study is to determine the impact of improvements in household infrastructure on the health of children living in remote Aboriginal communities with a view to informing the development of infrastructure projects. The outcomes of this project will be a significant advance in the understanding of the relationship between the household environment and health status, and of the improvements in health that can be achieved through improvement in household infrastructure. The relationship between specific components of household infrastructure and the ability to conduct each of a number of healthy living practices will be defined, to our knowledge, for the first time. There is a unique opportunity in the Northern Territory to conduct world class research in this area. The new information will be of value in the planning of infrastructure projects in remote Indigenous communities across Australia and in similar settings internationallyRead moreRead less
Gynaecological, Oesophageal And Skin Cancer In Australia: Developing The Evidence-base
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$6,079,935.00
Summary
Our Program addresses cancers of the ovary, uterus, oesophagus and skin (both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers). The first three cancers together affect almost 4,000 people and cause more than 2,000 deaths every year while skin cancer affects almost 400,000 Australians each year. Our aims are, first, to understand better how these cancers are caused so that we can try to prevent them in the future; second, to enhance diagnosis of these cancers; and third, to improve the survival and qualit ....Our Program addresses cancers of the ovary, uterus, oesophagus and skin (both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers). The first three cancers together affect almost 4,000 people and cause more than 2,000 deaths every year while skin cancer affects almost 400,000 Australians each year. Our aims are, first, to understand better how these cancers are caused so that we can try to prevent them in the future; second, to enhance diagnosis of these cancers; and third, to improve the survival and quality of life for people who are diagnosed with these cancers in Australia.Read moreRead less