A series of cancer-specific descriptive reports have been prepared that present a comprehensive overview of major cancers in Queensland, including comparisons with national and international benchmarks where available. The reports include information on incidence, survival, mortality, prevalence and geographical differences within Queensland. Selected graphs and tables from these reports are updated annually and are available online.

Each reports also includes detailed interpretation of these statistics, including (for example) comments on the effect of PSA screening on prostate cancer patterns, and the effect of tobacco smoking on lung cancer patterns.

Staff involved: Peter Baade, Danny Youlden, Susanna Cramb.

Contact: Danny Youlden

Detailed analyses of incidence and mortality trends provides a means by which to evaluate the current control measures for specific cancers, and can quantify, on an ecological population basis, the possible impact of changes in risk factors, diagnostic procedures and treatments.

Staff involved: Peter Baade, Danny Youlden, Susanna Cramb.

Collaborators: Michael Coory (Queensland Health), Lin Fritschi (West Australian Institute of Medical Research), Rachel Neale (Queensland Institute of Medical Research).

Contact: Peter Baade

Survival times for people diagnosed with colorectal cancer depend on where people live; typically lower in rural and socio-economically disadvantaged areas. However we know very little about why these inequalities exist. This NHMRC-funded study, the first of its type in Australia, examines how much of the survival inequalities are due to the characteristics of individuals, and how much is due to the characteristics of the area itself. It utilises emerging spatial (GIS) and statistical (multilevel modelling) technologies and will source data from the Queensland Cancer Registry, ABS Census and the Cancer Council Queensland longitudinal study on colorectal cancer.

This collaboration between Cancer Council Queensland and QUT, combined with the education and support programs of Cancer Council Queensland, will provide a unique opportunity for this research and for the results to be rapidly translated to develop more effective health policies, health promotion programs and other interventions aimed at improving population health and reducing inequalities that result from geographic remoteness and area disadvantage.

This study builds directly on the findings of the 2005 Cancer Council Queensland (View report) “Geographical differentials in cancer incidence and survival in Queensland, 1996-2002” which demonstrated a general pattern for poorer survival among cancer patients in more rural areas.

Staff involved: Peter Baade, Joanne Aitken

Collaborators: Gavin Turrell (QUT)

Contact: Peter Baade

Several studies are currently underway focussing on issues relevant to cancer survivors, including their general health, the type of treatment they receive, their risk of subsequent cancers and their risk of dying from a non-cancer related condition.

These studies use Queensland, Australian or international data to answer specific research questions.

Staff involved: Peter Baade, Danny Youlden.

Collaborators: Lin Fritschi (West Australian Institute of Medical Research), Geoff Beadle (Wesley Research Institute), Andreas Obermair (Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital).

Contact: Peter Baade

Previous research has indicated there are differences in cancer incidence and survival by location. This research seeks to investigate geographical and time−dependent distributions of the cancer burden in Queensland. Bayesian methods will be employed to overcome difficulties with sparsely populated regions and give reliable estimates. Data from the Queensland Cancer Registry and the Australian Bureau of Statistics will be used. The results will enable Cancer Council Queensland's programs to be targeted more effectively.

Staff: Peter Baade, Susanna Cramb.

Collaborators: Kerrie Mengersen (QUT).

Contact: Peter Baade