Research Projects

Key cancers study                                      

The Key Cancers Study was a rolling series of detailed surveys of the major cancers in Western Australia carried out between 1990 and 2002. Each year, one cancer was chosen, and all the incident cases in that year were included in the study. Medical records at hospitals, specialist rooms and GP practices were then searched to obtain very detailed information on the presentation, investigation, treatment and outcome of each cancer case. Individuals with cancer were not contacted personally, all information was obtained from medical records. The cancers studied were: prostate (1992 and 1997), lung (1996), breast (1989, 1994 and 1999), and colorectum (1999). Data collection is complete and papers are currently being written.

Prostate health study

This study is a case-control study of prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia looking particularly at occupational, dietary and lifestyle factors. The control group are men of similar ages who are on the WA electoral roll. Data collection is complete and papers are currently being written.

NSW Non-Hodgkin lymphoma study

This study was a case-control study of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma carried out in NSW. Immunologic, infectious, occupational and environmental exposures are being examined as potential risk factors for NHL. The Cancer Epidemiology Unit are particularly involved in assessing occupational exposures in this study. Data collection is complete and papers are currently being written.

Cancer in veterinarians

There have been suggestions that veterinarians are at increased risk of cancer and adverse reproductive outcomes due to their exposure to X-rays, anaesthetics, insecticides, and other substances such as prostaglandins. However, there have been very few studies of the health status and risks in this profession. This study aims to determine whether veterinarians are at increased risk of cancer (particularly melanoma, lymphohaematopoetic cancers and colon cancer) and, if so, to determine risk factors.

Cancer and mortality in aluminium workers

This study aims to determine whether aluminium industry workers have different causes of death or incidence of cancer compared to the general population. The subjects in this cohort are former or current workers involved in the production of aluminium, including bauxite mining, alumina refining and aluminium smelting. Employees are eligible for inclusion in the cohort if they have had at least 90 days of continuous employment and were still employed on or commenced employment after the 1st January 1983.

Virtual colonoscopy

A series of studies are being undertaken into the use of virtual colonoscopy as a screening test for colorectal cancer. These include looking at the effects of choice of screening method and reasons for participating.

Asbestos exposed workers

A long term study program in the Cancer Epidemiology Unit has been the followup of asbestos-exposed workers and residents from the Wittenoom mine in Western Australia.

Cancer staging

A feasibility study into including cancer staging on the WA Cancer Registry was conducted in 2003. The study found that the feasibility varied with the cancer site, but collection of these data would be quite possible for a number of common sites given adequate resources.

Dietary fish and cancer

The Cancer Epidemiology Group are undertaking a number of interrelated studies into whether eating fish protects against cancer. These include studies using a large Canadian database and validation studies.

Western Australian Bowel Health Study (WABOHS)

The aim of the study is to identify environmental and genetic factors that are specific to the anatomical site of origin in the large bowel. This study will recruit participants in Western Australia between July 2005 and December 2007. Information from 1000 people with bowel cancer and 1000 people without bowel cancer will be collected and various factors such as genetic makeup, diet and lifestyle will be compared. It is anticipated that different factors will be related to the development of cancer in the left versus right side of the bowel. This kind of information can then be used to design programs to prevent bowel cancer.