20 Year Study of Skin Cancer in a Queensland Community [ 2007 - 2009 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Adele Green (Principal investigator) ,  A/Pr Jolieke Van Der Pols ,  A/Pr Patricia Valery ,  A/Pr Rachel Neale ,  Prof Gail Williams

Brief description Skin cancers are by far the commonest cancers diagnosed in Australia. Even though it is known that sun exposure in excess causes skin cancers there are complexities about the causes, especially of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) -the major type of skin cancer- that are still not understood. Relative intensity of sun exposure and perhaps its timing with respect to age in life may well be critical factors. We aim to study these causes in very great detail by collating information that has been gathered over a 20 year period in a community-based skin cancer study in Nambour, Qld as well as performing some laboratory tests on skin cancer tissue collected from participants. This 3-year project will enable the full realisation of the potential of this esource-20 years in the making- with its wealth of information for answering questions about skin cancer decelopment and preventability. It should finally provide us with a clearer rationale for 'prevention of skin cancer' than is currently available. In addition we shall assess the costs of treatment of skin cancer in general and for the individual, and how much preventive practices for skin cancer might save the health budget, by using the releavnt data collected from this community sample.

Funding Amount $AUD 396,415.08

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant