Dissertations / Theses: 'Cancer in Australia'

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Shahid, Shaouli. "Towards understanding disparities in cancer outcomes for Aboriginal Australians: exploring Aboriginal perceptions and experiences of cancer in Western Australia." Thesis, Curtin University, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/467.

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Cancer has become one of the major chronic diseases among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Australia, and was declared a health priority in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategy in 2001. Since then efforts have been instigated to improve the epidemiological information with regard to cancer among Aboriginal Australians in several jurisdictions. Specific issues related to cancer have been identified. Aboriginal Australians compared with non-Aboriginal people have higher occurrence of preventable cancers and are less likely to access cancer screening, are diagnosed at a more advanced stage, have poor continuity of care, lower compliance with treatment and lower five-year survival rates. Several risk factors for higher incidence of some cancers have also been noted. However, these do not adequately explain the reasons behind the delayed presentation, poor compliance and different treatment outcomes of cancer among Aboriginal Australians compared to the total population.To investigate and explore the variations in Aboriginal Australians’ beliefs, understanding and perceptions around cancer and their experiences with cancer services, an exploratory, in-depth qualitative study was undertaken in several locations of Western Australia (WA). This was done with a view to understanding Aboriginal decision-making processes in relation to accessing cancer care in WA. The study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) of Curtin University, the Western Australian Aboriginal Health Information and Ethics Committee (WAAHIEC), the Royal Perth and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospitals, and by the local Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) in regions where the research was conducted.The study adopted a hermeneutic phenomenological research design and used qualitative methods. A hermeneutic phenomenological approach was chosen as this allowed understanding to emerge from the experiences of the participants through interpreting the situated meaning of humans in the world. The views of 30 Aboriginal participants – including patients, survivors and close family members who had lost someone to cancer in their families – were gathered through in-depth interviews. The fieldwork was conducted between March 2006 and September 2007. Interview data were tape-recorded, transcribed and analysed using NVivo7 Software. Thematic analysis was carried out from the information.The findings from the study suggest that many factors affect Aboriginal people’s willingness and ability to participate in cancer-related screening and treatment services. Late diagnoses were not only due to late presentations, as some delayed diagnoses occurred in patients who had regular contact with medical services. Participation in treatment is affected by beliefs and fatalistic attitudes towards cancer; limited understanding of the biomedical aspects of cancer and treatment processes; preference of Aboriginal people to use other approaches to healing such as traditional healers and bush medicine; unwillingness to be separated from family and country, and several infrastructural and logistical issues such as cost, transport and accommodation. It was found that fear of death, shame, beliefs such as cancer is contagious and other spiritual issues affected Aboriginal people’s decisions around accessing services.Moreover, miscommunication between Aboriginal patients and health care providers, lack of cultural security and culturally appropriate support services, lack of Aboriginal staff within the hospital to personally support Aboriginal patients, and the alienating environment of oncology treatment services were also mentioned as barriers. Factors important for effective patient-provider communication such as language, shared understanding, knowledge and use of medical terminology require particular attention. Lack of a reliable and on-going relationship with service providers also came up quite persistently. All of these issues were underpinned by the historical context which includes past discriminatory treatment and experiences of racism by Aboriginal people within mainstream medical institutions. These factors contribute to fear of the medical system, feelings of disempowerment, and mistrust towards the system which constrain Aboriginal participation in cancer treatment and other support services.The results of this study indicate that an understanding of the complex “layers” (from micro to macro) of factors and the interactions between them is required to elucidate Aboriginal people’s decision-making processes around engaging and participating in mainstream cancer services. This research identified gaps in knowledge and understanding and a lack of support services within Aboriginal communities.The findings from the research have been shared with relevant cancer-specific and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services with a vision to utilise the study outcomes for the benefit of Aboriginal individuals and communities. Aboriginal people were invited to be co-presenters and co-authors wherever the study findings were presented. An Indigenous Women’s Cancer Support Group (IWCSG) was established in Geraldton after the completion of fieldwork there. This support group has been working to raise awareness of cancer in local Aboriginal people.Some suggestions and recommendations to improve services and cancer outcomes for Aboriginal Australians came out of the study. These include: employment of Aboriginal staff in services and involvement of them in decision-making, maintenance of culturally sensitive, empathetic person-to-person contact, provision of infrastructural and institutional support to involve Aboriginal families within the treatment domain; acknowledgement of holistic concepts of health and well-being; and increase Aboriginal health literacy with regard to cancer.

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Brestovac, Brian. "Human papillomavirus and cervical cancer in Western Australia." University of Western Australia. School of Biomedical and Chemical Sciences, 2005. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2006.0037.

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Oliffe, John, and mikewood@deakin edu au. "Prostate cancer : Anglo-Australian heterosexual perspectives." Deakin University. School of Health and Social Development, 2003. http://tux.lib.deakin.edu.au./adt-VDU/public/adt-VDU20050712.095519.

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Prostate cancer is one of the most prominent diseases in mens health. It is inherently 'male', given the exclusivity of the prostate gland to mens bodies and its physiological connection to testosterone and male sexuality. The biomedical complexities of prostate cancer continue to be unravelled and researched and are often connected to identifying causes, the virtues of screening and treatment modalities. However, despite the biological male 'sex' link, most of the prostate cancer research is not connected with research on gender relations, men and masculinities. The net outcome is that mens lives and illness experiences are absent in much of the prostate cancer research. This PhD thesis Prostate cancer: Anglo-Australian heterosexual perspectives, is an ethnographic study of thirty-five Anglo-Australian men diagnosed with prostate cancer. Participants shared their experiences of living with prostate cancer in the context of health promotion, health services and in relation to their sexuality and intimate relationships. Through participant photographic novella and in-depth semi-structured interviews, rich cultural insights are provided. A social constructionist gender analysis is used in this research that shows how the social constructions of masculinity interconnect and occasionally collide with prostate cancer throughout the illness trajectory.

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Sadkowsky, Krystian Reginald. "An analysis into geographic regional differences in cancer survival in Australia during 1982-1997 /." [St. Lucia, Qld.], 2001. http://www.library.uq.edu.au/pdfserve.php?image=thesisabs/absthe16944.pdf.

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Macharper, Anthony G. "Survival from cancer and socio-economic status in South Australia /." Title page, table of contents and abstract only, 1992. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09MPM/09mpmm149.pdf.

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Moore, Simon Reading. "Oral cancer in South Australia : a twenty year study 1977-1996." Title page, table of contents and precis only, 1999. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09DM/09dmm824.pdf.

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Cheok, Frida. "Participation in mammographic screenings in South Australia /." Title page, contents and abstract only, 1998. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phc51843.pdf.

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Platt, Violet. "The experiences of cancer survivors as they transition from chemotherapy treatment to life after cancer." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2012. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/484.

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This study explored and described the experience of people with a diagnosis of cancer, as they transitioned from life as a chemotherapy patient to life after treatment as a cancer survivor. The purpose of this study was to ultimately improve the care of people as they transitioned into life after completion of chemotherapy treatment. There is minimal information related to this phase of the cancer trajectory, therefore this study was intentionally exploratory and descriptive. To achieve the proposed outcome a two-phased approach was undertaken. In Phase One a qualitative approach was followed using Grounded Theory to the descriptive level of data analysis. The study was undertaken in a large tertiary hospital in Western Australia. The sample comprised of 14 cancer survivors who had completed chemotherapy treatment in the previous four to twelve weeks. Data was collected via semi structured telephone interviews. Descriptors of issues and experiences that arose in the first six months following completion of chemotherapy were elicited. Data was subsequently transcribed, coded and organised into themes of congruent relevance. Cancer survivors were found to transition through two stages in the early weeks following completion of chemotherapy. When physical symptoms and emotional losses were all encompassing, the survivors displayed vulnerability due to the loss of the treatment environment and a range of challenging emotions. As the weeks passed and physical symptoms began to abate, the survivors began to display characteristics of resilience, self empowerment and information seeking strategies which both informed and protected the survivor. The domains that challenged the survivor throughout this transition period encompassed physical, social, psychological and spiritual issues. In Phase Two of the study, key findings from Phase One were utilised to inform the adaptation of an existing quality of life tool, Quality of life – Cancer Survivor, which was identified following an extensive literature review. The adapted tool, Quality of Life – Chemotherapy Cancer Survivor, was assessed for clarity, content validity and apparent internal consistency by an expert panel of six oncology nurses who were employed within the same tertiary hospital setting. Feedback from this process was used to further amend the original tool. The researcher intends to pilot test the revised tool with cancer survivors in preparation for a larger scale population based study following this Masters study. This study has provided an insight into the survivorship issues as people transition to life after chemotherapy and findings begin to fill a gap in understanding which has not previously be addressed in the available literature. Implications for future research and clinical practice including, gaps in survivor’s knowledge and transition process issues, are provided.

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Walker, Sandra, and n/a. "Prostate cancer support groups an evaluation." Swinburne University of Technology, 2005. http://adt.lib.swin.edu.au./public/adt-VSWT20060905.085536.

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The population of Australia is increasing in age, consequently the incidence of cancer diagnoses is rising. This rise will have a dramatic impact on hospitals with much of the disease burden extending to psychological support for cancer care. At present few men diagnosed with cancer seek support. This study sought to explore men's perceptions of support and prostate cancer support groups. The benefits of support groups for men with prostate cancer have been well documented in international studies. In Australia however, relatively few men diagnosed with prostate cancer join such groups and few studies have examined the factors that influence membership and attendance. This study investigated the experiences of a sample of 181 Australian men diagnosed with prostate cancer, 80 of whom were members of support groups and 107 who were not. The participants were recruited from prostate cancer support groups and an outpatient department of a major cancer hospital, in Melbourne, Australia. The two groups were compared on a range of factors, including disease characteristics, illness perceptions and views of prostate cancer support groups. Further, members of support groups rated a number of objectives to determine the effectiveness of the groups. The majority of members recommended prostate cancer support groups to other men with prostate cancer (92%), however of the non-members of prostate cancer support groups, almost half (48%) had never heard of them. Factors that discriminated between support group members and non-members were emotional perceptions of the illness, symptom reports and illness coherence, with support group members reporting higher scores on these variables. Length of diagnosis and age were also factors that discriminated between the groups with support group members younger and diagnosed longer than non-members. There were no differences between the groups on personal control, both groups reported high perceptions of control over the disease. Members reported more benefits and less costs associated with prostate cancer support groups than non-members. Benefits included information, support, sharing experiences, and supporting other men with the disease. Costs included negative discussions, other men dying, and the distance required to travel to the groups. Both members and non-members reported distance to travel to the groups as a major barrier to attendance. The majority of members had heard of the groups through friends and, for non-members who had heard of the groups, through hospital staff. General practitioners were one of the least likely sources of information about prostate cancer support groups reported by members. Prostate cancer support group members reported high levels of satisfaction with the groups on a range of objectives outlined by the Cancer Council of Victoria. Making friends and accessing community assistance exceeded men's expectations of attendance, however men reported a desire for more information and communication. A need for more funding, advertising, and recognition of prostate cancer support groups by medical staff was also reported. Many men with prostate cancer are unaware of support groups, however a number of benefits were noted by both members and non-members. Greater recognition of prostate cancer support groups by medical staff may provide men with prostate cancer an opportunity to access those benefits. Health service providers should consider the important role prostate cancer support groups play in the recovery of men from prostate cancer and consider ways of dispelling myths men may hold regarding the notion of support.

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Sanjida, Saira. "A retrospective case-control study on the prescribing practices of antidepressants administered to cancer patients and non-cancer patients in Australia." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2016. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/94240/1/Saira_Sanjida_Thesis.pdf.

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Comorbidity of depression risks is common among cancer patients. The pharmacological treatment of depression is antidepressants. However, antidepressants may interact with anticancer drugs or cause adverse reactions. The prescription practice of antidepressants to cancer patients in Australia is not well documented. Our systematic review and meta-analysis identified that the overall prevalence rate of antidepressants was 15.6% varied widely by world-region and gender. A retrospective case-control study was undertaken to determine the recent prescription practice of antidepressants to cancer and non-cancer patients in Australia. Mirtazapine was the highly prescribed antidepressants to cases, whereas Desvenlafaxine was prescribed to controls. Considerable variation in the prescribing patterns of antidepressants was identified. Prospective studies are needed to ascertain whether patients are being treated optimally.

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Karnaki, Panagiota. "Attitudes, practices and knowledge regarding cervical cancer screening among Greek women in the area of Perth." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2000. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1373.

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The purpose of this thesis is to study the attitudes, practices and knowledge of Greek women in Perth, Western Australia, regarding cervical cancer screening. This is important because no study has yet examined the cervical screening pattern of this group, despite their low participation rate in screening programs. Qualitative semi-structured interviews among 15 Greek women in Perth were used for data collection. Interviews were conducted both in English and Greek. Eight out of the 15 women interviewed did not participate in frequent screening and many had had only one Pap test in their life. Culture and religion influenced negative attitudes towards cervical screening; these combined with strong emotions of fear towards the disease and lack of knowledge about the purpose of Pap tests, to create powerful barriers to screening. Preoccupation with morality and misconceptions about heredity and the symptomatology of cervical cancer also influenced attitudes towards Pap tests. Further, women's decisions to screen were influenced by the negative behaviour of General Practitioners. A preference was expressed for specialists/gynaecologists and an unwillingness to attend women's health centres.

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Taylor, Anne 1950. "Knowledge and reported behaviour of South Australian adults regarding sun protection." Adelaide : University of Adelaide, Dept. of Community Medicine, 1996. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09MPM/09mpmt238.pdf.

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Beaumont, Nerida. "The relative importance of barriers to cervical cancer screening in older women : A review of 140 women and their pap smear providers." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 1999. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1218.

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Cervical cancer remains a significant cause of death in women. There is a notable age related decrease in levels of screening and women aged over 50 years with later, more invasive disease. One hundred and forty women aged between 50 and 69 years (M "'58.21 years) and 23 Pap smear providers completed a Cervical Cancer Screening Questionnaire designed to identify the relative importance of barriers to attendance for cervical screening, as well as providers own barriers and issues. Responsibility for health, familiarity with, and ratings of the usefulness of Pap smears were the major dimensions along which regular and non-regular attenders differed supporting the hypothesis. Additionally, women who had regular Pap smears were younger, with higher levels of confidence in their provider, in the ability of the test to detect cervical cancer and in their overall value for the usefulness of the test. The application of the findings of the present study may improve the currently inconsistent promotion of cervical screening to older women. The use of a theoretical framework informed by the Theory of Reasoned Action and Multi-Attribute Utility Theory showed promising results in incorporating the diverse factors involved in participating. in preventative health screening. Recommendations are made on the necessity of both targeted and general intervention strategies to increase the uptake of preventative screening by at-risk groups.

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Tindle, Danielle A. "Creating meaning: the cancer survivorship experiences of young adults in Australia, England and the United States." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2015. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/82216/1/Danielle_Tindle_Thesis.pdf.

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This cross-cultural research examined the phenomenon of cancer survivorship through an analysis of the experiences of adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer in Australia, England and the United States of America. The research enhances understanding of how meaning and identity develop in relation to cancer interpretively and socioculturally, and the implications for quality of life in adulthood. In so doing, the study explored the existential challenges young people confront when negotiating illness, identity formation and meaning-making, amid the complex matrix of youth and life stage transitions, cultural norms and practices, and varied healthcare environments.

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Shao, Changying. "Approaches to the spatial modelling of cancer incidence and mortality in metropolitan Perth, Western Australia, 1990 -2005." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2011. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/422.

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Cancer is one of potentially preventable and treatable diseases. Cancer analysis from different perspectives is necessary to provide the information for health research and the initiation of prevention and treatment programs. The purpose of this study was to analyse five top cancers in the Perth metropolitan area, including lung, melanoma, breast, prostate and colorectal cancers, using two methodologies: Area-to-Point Poisson (ATP) kriging and fitting an inhomogeneous Poisson process model using the Berman-Turner algorithm. ATP Poisson kriging was used to undertake the analysis on the spatial distribution of cancer rates per 100,000 person-years for Perth Statistical Local Areas during the period 1990-2005. This analysis is based on age-adjusted and age-sex-adjusted rates (non-sex specific cancers only). For lung, colorectal and melanoma cancer incidence, it is also evaluated for the period 1990-2005 by sex to investigate how these cancers affect males and females differently. For mortality data, three contiguous periods: 1990-1995, 1996- 2000 and 2001-2005 are studied to investigate how cancers vary over the time. It is demonstrated that female cancer incidence varies more continuously than males and male incidence rates are relatively high. There is difference in estimates and spatial variation between age-adjusted rates and age-sex-adjusted rates. The cancer risk calculated from age sex- adjusted rates shows less variability than the risk only from age-adjusted rates. Lung cancer incidence rates are high in Kwinana industrial area and melanoma cancer incidence rates are relatively high along west coast of Perth. For breast cancer and prostate cancer, the analysis during three contiguous periods is explored. Breast cancer incidence increased gradually with time while prostate cancer mortality decreased with time. Prostate cancer mortality risk from the age is possibly more continuous than the incidence risk from the age. It is believed that cancer mortality rate varies more continuously than the corresponding cancer incidence and that spatial correlation is relatively strong for mortality compared with the incidence. Spatial point pattern theory focuses on the analysis of the incidence (mortality) rates in the year 2005. For each individual cancer adequately fitting models were determined and validated. The model fitting is based on the inhomogeneous Poisson nature of the cancer data. The spatial trends based on the population distribution in Perth metropolitan area are important in obtaining an adequate fit. Except for the spatial trends, the fitted intensity function for the point process is also related to the spatially susceptible population. It is demonstrated that the distance from Kwinana industrial area (KIA) is an appropriate covariate for lung cancer incidence and the distance from the coast accounts for melanoma incidence. Lung cancer incidence increases with proximity to the KIA and similarly melanoma incidence increases with proximity to the coast. The incidence point pattern in 2005 is quite similar to the point pattern in other individual year (or years) when population density is included. Compared with incidence, one covariate (susceptible population intensity) is enough to achieve an adequate fit in most cases for mortality data fitting. The percentage of selected age groups is a reasonable covariate for prostate cancer and lung cancer while population density is a good covariate for other cancers since age has more influence on these two cancer incidences than other cancers. The work shown here presents spatial maps of incidence and mortality risk for the five major causes in Perth, potentially aiding planning.

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Tabatabaei, Seyed Mehdi. "The relationship between dietary factors, meat consumption, heterocyclic amines, Benzo[a]pyrene, meat-derived mutagenic activity and colorectal cancer in Western Australia." University of Western Australia. School of Population Health, 2009. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2010.0059.

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The role of meat consumption in the development of cancer, including colorectal cancer (CRC), has been subject of much investigation in recent years. The observation of geographical variation in CRC incidence and increased CRC risks in populations consuming high levels of meat prompted researchers to hypothesise a link between meat and CRC. An area of particular interest in CRC pathogenesis is the meat-derived compounds such are heterocyclic amines (HCAs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and meatderived mutagenic activity. Australia is among the countries with high incidence of CRC and also high levels of per capita meat consumption. Hence, clarifying the possible link between meat consumption and the risk of CRC in order that this can be translated into preventive dietary recommendations for the public is important. The objective of this thesis was to examine whether meat consumption is related to risk of CRC in an Australian population. The term meat consumption in this thesis means meaures of consumption of red and white meat that incorporate frequency and cooking method. The following hypotheses were investigated: 1. Increasing intake of meat prepared by methods that involve higher cooking temperature and time is positively associated with the risk of CRC; 2. Increasing exposure to meat-derived heterocyclic amines (HCAs) is positively associated with the risk of CRC; 3. Higher levels of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from meat consumption is a risk factor for CRC; 4. Exposure to meat-derived mutagens increases the risk of CRC.

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Zammit, Carmen. "The art of healing : A journey through cancer : Implications for art therapy." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 1999. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1224.

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This thesis is designed to investigate how art assisted in the healing process of a person suffering from a life threatening illness. The research method used is a clinical case study. This study is a form of evaluative research, a systematic data-based inquiry concerning the participant's engagement with art in her healing process, a process which unfolds as being both life affirming and spiritually enriching. This case study takes a qualitative approach, with its emphasis on the participant's own account of her behaviour. The participant is a fifty-three year old woman, a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma seven years ago. Multiple myeloma is cancer of the bone marrow and blood, a medically incurable form of cancer (Mayo Clinic, 1996; Macpherson, 1995). The principles of Holistic Medicine and Arts Medicine provide the theoretical framework. Data was accumulated from multiple sources: in-depth, open-ended interviews; direct observation; video-tapes; audio-tapes; written documentation and artwork. Art therapy literature reveals a scarcity of formal evaluative research in the area of how art assists people in their healing of a life-threatening illness (Malchiodi, 1993a, l993b). This research project follows the tradition of existing studies and formally documents one person's journey. The aim is to assist in efforts to develop art interventions that will promote healing for people suffering from serious illnesses, and in many cases, those facing imminent death.

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Anaman, Judith Akworkor. "Barriers to and facilitators of cervical screening practice among African immigrant women from refugee and non-refugee backgrounds living in Brisbane." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2016. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/92791/1/Judith%20Akworkor_Anaman_Thesis.pdf.

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This thesis investigated and compared barriers and facilitators of cervical screening among African-born refugee and non-refugee women living in Brisbane. Refugee women were more likely to have limited or no knowledge about cervical cancer and the screening test and also less likely to use Pap smear services than non-refugee women. The analysis identified belief systems, lack of knowledge about cervical cancer and screening practices, and lack of culturally appropriate screening programs as major barriers. In the context of health promotion interventions, these findings will contribute to addressing major differential screening needs among African immigrant refugee and non-refugee women.

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Read, Jennifer Deirdre History &amp Philosophy Faculty of Arts &amp Social Sciences UNSW. "Winning the war against cervical cancer? - a social history of cervical screening in Australia 1950 to the present." Awarded by:University of New South Wales. History & Philosophy, 2009. http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/44500.

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This thesis provides a social history of the introduction the Pap smear and the expansion of population-based cervical screening programs in Australia throughout the latter decades of the twentieth century. By placing cervical screening in a broad social context, this history helps to reveal the complex interrelationship between developments in scientific medicine, social, political and economic concerns, changing beliefs and attitudes, and the growing influence of commercialisation and consumerism. It also highlights the tendency for public health strategies to serve as a means of social and moral control. Furthermore, the thesis examines the conflict between the population-based approach of public health and the concern of clinicians for the welfare of individual patients. This conflict has emerged in other areas of medicine. In casting light on such conflict, the thesis will provide historical insight into reasons for why medicine is often perceived to be in a state of crisis today.

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Woods, Laura Marion. "International differences in breast cancer survival and 'cure' by social deprivation : a comparative study of England and Australia." Thesis, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (University of London), 2006. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.440545.

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Mylvaganam, Arunthathi. "Lung cancer risk amongst uranium miners : the Radium Hill study /." Title page, contents and abstract only, 1993. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phm997.pdf.

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Reid, Alison. "The health outcomes of women exposed to blue asbestos at Wittenoom." University of Western Australia. School of Population Health, 2008. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2009.0031.

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[Truncated abstract] This thesis examines the health outcomes of women exposed to blue asbestos at Wittenoom, Western Australia. Blue asbestos was mined and milled from 1943 to 1966 by the Australian Blue Asbestos Company (ABA) at Wittenoom, 1,600km from Perth in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia. The original work for this thesis is presented in six manuscripts, some of which have been published in peer-reviewed Journals. The following aims have been investigated. 1. (a) To compare the all-cause mortality rates of women who lived at Wittenoom compared with all-cause mortality rates of the Western Australian female population (b) To assess the exposure-response relationship between asbestos and mortality in women. 2. (a) To compare the incidence rates of common cancers in women who lived at Wittenoom, compared with the incidence rates of these cancers in the Western Australian female population. (b) To assess the exposure-response relationship between asbestos and cancer incidence at various sites in women. 3. (a) To determine if reproductive cancers (ovarian, uterine cervical and corpus and breast) and gestational trophoblastic diseases are associated with asbestos exposure. v (b) To determine if ovarian cancer has been misclassified as malignant peritoneal mesothelioma or vice versa. (c) To determine if colon cancer has been misclassified as malignant peritoneal mesothelioma or vice versa. (d) To assess the exposure-response relationship between asbestos and reproductive cancer incidence. 4. To assess the susceptibility of women to asbestos exposure in comparison with men with similar exposure histories. 5. To predict the future mortality from malignant mesothelioma among women who lived at Wittenoom. '...' The Wittenoom crocidolite industry has had a damaging impact upon the health of the women workers and residents who lived there. Wittenoom women are more likely to die from malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer, all cancers and all causes than women in the Western Australian population. This brief period of crocidolite mining in Western Australia's history will continue to exert a detrimental impact upon the future of the women who lived there, with another 66 to 87 mesotheliomas predicted to occur to the end of 2030.

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Richmond-Sinclair, Naomi Monique. "The epidemiology of basal cell carcinoma." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2010. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/68152/1/Naomi_Richmond-Sinclair_Thesis.pdf.

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Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a skin cancer of particular importance to the Australian community. Its rate of occurrence is highest in Queensland, where 1% to 2% of people are newly affected annually. This is an order of magnitude higher than corresponding incidence estimates in European and North American populations. Individuals with a sun-sensitive complexion are particularly susceptible because sun exposure is the single most important causative agent, as shown by the anatomic distribution of BCC which is in general consistent with the levels of sun exposure across body sites. A distinguishing feature of BCC is the occurrence of multiple primary tumours within individuals, synchronously or over time, and their diagnosis and treatment costs contribute substantially to the major public health burden caused by BCC. A primary knowledge gap about BCC pathogenesis however was an understanding of the true frequency of multiple BCC occurrences and their body distribution, and why a proportion of people do develop more than one BCC in their life. This research project sought to address this gap under an overarching research aim to better understand the detailed epidemiology of BCC with the ultimate goal of reducing the burden of this skin cancer through prevention. The particular aim was to document prospectively the rate of BCC occurrence and its associations with constitutional and environmental (solar) factors, all the while paying special attention to persons affected by more than one BCC. The study built on previous findings and recent developments in the field but set out to confirm and extend these and propose more adequate theories about the complex epidemiology of this cancer. Addressing these goals required a new approach to researching basal cell carcinoma, due to the need to account for the phenomenon of multiple incident BCCs per person. This was enabled by a 20 year community-based study of skin cancer in Australians that provided the methodological foundation for this thesis. Study participants were originally randomly selected in 1986 from the electoral register of all adult residents of the subtropical township of Nambour in Queensland, Australia. On various occasions during the study, participants were fully examined by dermatologists who documented cumulative photodamage as well as skin cancers. Participants completed standard questionnaires about skin cancer-related factors, and consented to have any diagnosed skin cancers notified to the investigators by regional pathology laboratories in Queensland. These methods allowed 100% ascertainment of histologically confirmed BCCs in this study population. 1339 participants had complete follow-up to the end of 2007. Statistical analyses in this thesis were carried out using SAS and SUDAAN statistical software packages. Modelling methods, including multivariate logistic regressions, allowed for repeated measures in terms of multiple BCCs per person. This innovative approach gave new findings on two levels, presented in five chapters as scientific papers: 1. Incidence of basal cell carcinoma multiplicity and detailed anatomic distribution: longitudinal study of an Australian population The incidence of people affected multiple times by BCC was 705 per 100,000 person years compared to an incidence rate of people singly affected of 935 per 100,000 person years. Among multiply and singly affected persons alike, site-specific BCC incidence rates were far highest on facial subsites, followed by upper limbs, trunk, and then lower limbs 2. Melanocytic nevi and basal cell carcinoma: is there an association? BCC risk was significantly increased in those with forearm nevi (Odds Ratios (OR) 1.43, 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) 1.09-1.89) compared to people without forearm nevi, especially among those who spent their time mainly outdoors (OR 1.6, 95%CI 1.1-2.3) compared to those who spent their time mainly indoors. Nevi on the back were not associated with BCC. 3. Clinical signs of photodamage are associated with basal cell carcinoma multiplicity and site: a 16-year longitudinal study Over a 16-year follow-up period, 58% of people affected by BCC developed more than one BCC. Among these people 60% developed BCCs across different anatomic sites. Participants with high numbers of solar keratoses, compared to people without solar keratoses, were most likely to experience the highest BCC counts overall (OR 3.3, 95%CI 1.4-13.5). Occurrences of BCC on the trunk (OR 3.3, 95%CI 1.4-7.6) and on the limbs (OR 3.7, 95%CI 2.0-7.0) were strongly associated with high numbers of solar keratoses on these sites. 4. Occurrence and determinants of basal cell carcinoma by histological subtype in an Australian community Among 1202 BCCs, 77% had a single growth pattern and 23% were of mixed histological composition. Among all BCCs the nodular followed by the superficial growth patterns were commonest. Risk of nodular and superficial BCCs on the head was raised if 5 or more solar keratoses were present on the face (OR 1.8, 95%CI 1.2-2.7 and OR 4.5, 95%CI 2.1-9.7 respectively) and similarly on the trunk in the presence of multiple solar keratoses on the trunk (OR 4.2, 95%CI 1.5-11.9 and OR 2.2, 95%CI 1.1-4.4 respectively). 5. Basal cell carcinoma and measures of cumulative sun exposure: an Australian longitudinal community-based study Dermal elastosis was more likely to be seen adjacent to head and neck BCCs than trunk BCCs (p=0.01). Severity of dermal elastosis increased on each site with increasing clinical signs of cutaneous sun damage on that site. BCCs that occurred without perilesional elastosis per se, were always found in an anatomic region with signs of photodamage. This thesis thus has identified the magnitude of the burden of multiple BCCs. It does not support the view that people affected by more than one BCC represent a distinct group of people who are prone to BCCs on certain body sites. The results also demonstrate that BCCs regardless of site, histology or order of occurrence are strongly associated with cumulative sun exposure causing photodamage to the skin, and hence challenge the view that BCCs occurring on body sites with typically low opportunities for sun exposure or of the superficial growth pattern are different in their association with the sun from those on typically sun-exposed sites, or nodular BCCs, respectively. Through dissemination in the scientific and medical literature, and to the community at large, these findings can ultimately assist in the primary and secondary prevention of BCC, perhaps especially in high-risk populations.

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Saris, Katja. "Application of an appearance-based intervention to improve sun protection outcomes of outdoor workers in Queensland, Australia." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2012. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/53265/3/Katja_Saris_thesis.pdf.

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Outdoor workers are exposed to high levels of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and may thus be at greater risk to experience UVR-related health effects such as skin cancer, sun burn, and cataracts. A number of intervention trials (n=14) have aimed to improve outdoor workers’ work-related sun protection cognitions and behaviours. Only one study however has reported the use of UV-photography as part of a multi-component intervention. This study was performed in the USA and showed long-term (12 months) improvements in work-related sun protection behaviours. Intervention effects of the other studies have varied greatly, depending on the population studied, intervention applied, and measurement of effect. Previous studies have not assessed whether: - Interventions are similarly effective for workers in stringent and less stringent policy organisations; - Policy effect is translated into workers’ leisure time protection; - Implemented interventions are effective in the long-term; - The facial UV-photograph technique is effective in Australian male outdoor workers without a large additional intervention package, and; - Such interventions will also affect workers’ leisure time sun-related cognitions and behaviours. Therefore, the present Protection of Outdoor Workers from Environmental Radiation [POWER]-study aimed to fill these gaps and had the objectives of: a) assessing outdoor workers’ sun-related cognitions and behaviours at work and during leisure time in stringent and less stringent sun protection policy environments; b) assessing the effect of an appearance-based intervention on workers’ risk perceptions, intentions and behaviours over time; c) assessing whether the intervention was equally effective within the two policy settings; and d) assessing the immediate post-intervention effect. Effectiveness was described in terms of changes in sun-related risk perceptions and intentions (as these factors were shown to be main precursors of behaviour change in many health promotion theories) and behaviour. The study purposefully selected and recruited two organisations with a large outdoor worker contingent in Queensland, Australia within a 40 kilometre radius of Brisbane. The two organisations differed in the stringency of implementation and reinforcement of their organisational sun protection policy. Data were collected from 154 male predominantly Australian born outdoor workers with an average age of 37 years and predominantly medium to fair skin (83%). Sun-related cognitions and behaviours of workers were assessed using self-report questionnaires at baseline and six to twelve months later. Variation in follow-up time was due to a time difference in the recruitment of the two organisations. Participants within each organisation were assigned to an intervention or control group. The intervention group participants received a one-off personalised Skin Cancer Risk Assessment Tool [SCRAT]-letter and a facial UV-photograph with detailed verbal information. This was followed by an immediate post-intervention questionnaire within three months of the start of the study. The control group only received the baseline and follow-up questionnaire. Data were analysed using a variety of techniques including: descriptive analyses, parametric and non-parametric tests, and generalised estimating equations. A 15% proportional difference observed was deemed of clinical significance, with the addition of reported statistical significance (p<0.05) where applicable. Objective 1: Assess and compare the current sun-related risk perceptions, intentions, behaviours, and policy awareness of outdoor workers in stringent and less stringent sun protection policy settings. Workers within the two organisations (stringent n=89 and less stringent n=65) were similar in their knowledge about skin cancer, self efficacy, attitudes, and social norms regarding sun protection at work and during leisure time. Participants were predominantly in favour of sun protection. Results highlighted that compared to workers in a less stringent policy organisation working for an organisation with stringent sun protection policies and practices resulted in more desirable sun protection intentions (less willing to tan p=0.03) ; actual behaviours at work (sufficient use of upper and lower body protection, headgear, and sunglasses (p<0.001 for all comparisons), and greater policy awareness (awareness of repercussions if Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was not used, p<0.001)). However the effect of the work-related sun protection policy was found not to extend to leisure time sun protection. Objective 2: Compare changes in sun-related risk perceptions, intentions, and behaviours between the intervention and control group. The effect of the intervention was minimal and mainly resulted in a clinically significant reduction in work-related self-perceived risk of developing skin cancer in the intervention compared to the control group (16% and 32% for intervention and control group, respectively estimated their risk higher compared to other outdoor workers: , p=0.11). No other clinical significant effects were observed at 12 months follow-up. Objective 3: Assess whether the intervention was equally effective in the stringent sun protection policy organisation and the less stringent sun protection policy organisation. The appearance-based intervention resulted in a clinically significant improvement in the stringent policy intervention group participants’ intention to protect from the sun at work (workplace*time interaction, p=0.01). In addition to a reduction in their willingness to tan both at work (will tan at baseline: 17% and 61%, p=0.06, at follow-up: 54% and 33%, p=0.07, stringent and less stringent policy intervention group respectively. The workplace*time interaction was significant p<0.001) and during leisure time (will tan at baseline: 42% and 78%, p=0.01, at follow-up: 50% and 63%, p=0.43, stringent and less stringent policy intervention group respectively. The workplace*time interaction was significant p=0.01) over the course of the study compared to the less stringent policy intervention group. However, no changes in actual sun protection behaviours were found. Objective 4: Examine the effect of the intervention on level of alarm and concern regarding the health of the skin as well as sun protection behaviours in both organisations. The immediate post-intervention results showed that the stringent policy organisation participants indicated to be less alarmed (p=0.04) and concerned (p<0.01) about the health of their skin and less likely to show the facial UV-photograph to others (family p=0.03) compared to the less stringent policy participants. A clinically significantly larger proportion of participants from the stringent policy organisation reported they worried more about skin cancer (65%) and skin freckling (43%) compared to those in the less stringent policy organisation (46%,and 23% respectively , after seeing the UV-photograph). In summary the results of this study suggest that the having a stringent work-related sun protection policy was significantly related to for work-time sun protection practices, but did not extend to leisure time sun protection. This could reflect the insufficient level of sun protection found in the general Australian population during leisure time. Alternatively, reactance caused by being restricted in personal decisions through work-time policy could have contributed to lower leisure time sun protection. Finally, other factors could have also contributed to the less than optimal leisure time sun protection behaviours reported, such as unmeasured personal or cultural barriers. All these factors combined may have lead to reduced willingness to take proper preventive action during leisure time exposure. The intervention did not result in any measurable difference between the intervention and control groups in sun protection behaviours in this population, potentially due to the long lag time between the implementation of the intervention and assessment at 12-months follow-up. In addition, high levels of sun protection behaviours were found at baseline (ceiling effect) which left little room for improvement. Further, this study did not assess sunscreen use, which was the predominant behaviour assessed in previous effective appearance-based interventions trials. Additionally, previous trials were mainly conducted in female populations, whilst the POWER-study’s population was all male. The observed immediate post-intervention result could be due to more emphasis being placed on sun protection and risks related to sun exposure in the stringent policy organisation. Therefore participants from the stringent policy organisation could have been more aware of harmful effects of UVR and hence, by knowing that they usually protect adequately, not be as alarmed or concerned as the participants from the less stringent policy organisation. In conclusion, a facial UV-photograph and SCRAT-letter information alone may not achieve large changes in sun-related cognitions and behaviour, especially of assessed 6-12 months after the intervention was implemented and in workers who are already quite well protected. Differences found between workers in the present study appear to be more attributable to organisational policy. However, against a background of organisational policy, this intervention may be a useful addition to sun-related workplace health and safety programs. The study findings have been interpreted while respecting a number of limitations. These have included non-random allocation of participants due to pre-organised allocation of participants to study group in one organisation and difficulty in separating participants from either study group. Due to the transient nature of the outdoor worker population, only 105 of 154 workers available at baseline could be reached for follow-up. (attrition rate=32%). In addition the discrepancy in the time to follow-up assessment between the two organisations was a limitation of the current study. Given the caveats of this research, the following recommendations were made for future research: - Consensus should be reached to define "outdoor worker" in terms of time spent outside at work as well as in the way sun protection behaviours are measured and reported. - Future studies should implement and assess the value of the facial UV-photographs in a wide range of outdoor worker organisations and countries. - More timely and frequent follow-up assessments should be implemented in intervention studies to determine the intervention effect and to identify the best timing of booster sessions to optimise results. - Future research should continue to aim to target outdoor workers’ leisure time cognitions and behaviours and improve these if possible. Overall, policy appears to be an important factor in workers’ compliance with work-time use of sun protection. Given the evidence generated by this research, organisations employing outdoor workers should consider stringent implementation and reinforcement of a sun protection policy. Finally, more research is needed to improve ways to generate desirable behaviour in this population during leisure time.

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25

Meliala, Andreanyta 1971. "Dietary phytoestrogens and hormone-related health conditions in men and women." Monash University, Monash Asia Institute, 2002. http://arrow.monash.edu.au/hdl/1959.1/8504.

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26

Elliott, Diana. "The impact of genetic counselling for familial breast cancer on women's psychological distress, risk perception and understanding of BRCA testing." University of Western Australia. School of Population Health, 2008. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2008.0190.

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[Truncated abstract] Background: A review of the literature indicated there was a need for more long-term randomised controlled studies on the effects of BRCA counselling/testing on high risk women, including improved strategies for risk communication. Reviews have also shown women are confused about the significance of inconclusive or non informative results with a need for more research in this area. Aims: The general aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of breast cancer genetic counselling on psychological distress levels, perception of risk, genetic knowledge and understanding of BRCA testing/test results in a cohort of 207 women from high risk breast cancer families who were referred for genetic counselling in Perth during the period 1997 to 2001. Short- and long-term impact of BRCA genetic counselling/testing was determined in women with and without cancer in a randomised controlled trial as part of which women were randomised to either receive immediate versus delayed genetic counselling. This included family communication patterns before BRCA testing, anticipated outcomes of testing on oneself and family including intentions for result disclosure. Comprehension of index and predictive BRCA testing with possible results was assessed both in the short- and the long-term and understanding of individual or family BRCA test results was evaluated at long-term. The effect of genetic counselling on breast cancer risk perception in unaffected women was evaluated. This study considered a theoretical framework of educational learning theories to provide a basis for risk communication with possible relevance for future research. ... Only 25% of the original study population (52/207) reported BRCA results and women's understanding of results is concerning. Key findings were: 1. The majority of affected women received an inconclusive result. 2. Out of twelve unaffected women who reported results, seven were inconclusive which are not congruent with predictive testing. This implies that these women did not understand their test result. 3. A minority of untested relatives did not know whether a family mutation had or had not been found in their tested family member or what their actual test result was. This implies either a lack of disclosure or that woman did not understand the rationale for and significance of testing for a family mutation. 4. Three relatives did not understand a positive result was a mutation. Conclusion: The implication of this research for breast cancer counselling and testing services is that women who wait for counselling are no worse off in terms of short- or long-term general psychological distress than women who receive the intervention early. There is a suggestion that unaffected women without the disease found counselling more advantageous than affected women. The meaning of BRCA results as reported by women is concerning particularly women's understanding of negative and inconclusive results and further research is needed in this area. Too much information presented at counselling may affect women's comprehension of risk, BRCA testing and future test results and further research is required to evaluate the effects of information overload.

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Gibson, Brendan John Joseph, and brendan gibson@health gov au. "From Transfer to Transformation: Rethinking the Relationship between Research and Policy." The Australian National University. National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, 2004. http://thesis.anu.edu.au./public/adt-ANU20040528.165124.

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The most common and enduring explanation for the way research is used (or abused or not used) in policy is the two communities theory. According to this theory, the problematic relationship between research and policy is caused by the different cultures inhabited by policy makers and researchers. The most common and enduring types of strategies that are put forward to increase research use in policy involve bridging or linking these two communities. This study challenges this way of thinking about the relationship between research and policy. Four case studies of national public health policy in Australiabreast cancer screening, prostate cancer screening, needle and syringe programs in the community, and needle and syringe programs in prisonsare used to present the context, events, processes, research, and actors involved in policy making. Three theories are deployed to explore the relationship between research and policy in each of the cases individually and across the cases as a whole. These theories bring different determinants and dynamics of the relationship to light and each is at least partially successful in increasing our understanding of the relationship between research and policy. The Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) understands the relationship in terms of a power struggle between competing coalitions that use research as a political resource in the policy process. The Policy Making Organisation Framework (PMOF) understands the relationship in terms of institutional and political factors that determine the way data is selected or rejected from the policy process. The Governmentality Framework (GF) understands the relationship in terms of the Foucauldian construct of power/knowledge that is created through discourse, regimes of truth and regimes of practices found in public health policy and research. This study has found that in three of the four case studies, public health policy was strongly influenced by research, the exception being NSP in prisons. In all cases, however, it is not possible to construct a robust and coherent account of the policy process or the policy outcome without considering the multifaceted role of research. When these theories are explored at a more fundamental level they support the argument that when research influences policy it is transformed into knowledge-for-policy by being invested with meaning and power. This process of transformation occurs through social and political action that mobilises ideal structures (such as harm minimisation and the World Health Organisations principles for evaluating screening programs) and material structures (such as medical journals and government advisory bodies) to resolve meta-policy problems (such as how to define complex public health problems in a way that makes them amenable to empirical research and practical action). This study provides good evidence that the notion of research transfer between two communities is a flawed way of understanding the researchpolicy relationship. Rethinking the relationship between research and policy involves building an enhanced theoretical repertoire for understanding this complex social interaction. This step is essential to the success of future efforts to make public health policy that is effective, just and emancipatory. This study makes a contribution to this task.

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Prior, Deborah Margaret. "Cultural strengths and social needs of Aboriginal women with cancer : take away the cancer but leave me whole /." [St. Lucia, Qld.], 2005. http://www.library.uq.edu.au/pdfserve.php?image=thesisabs/absthe18467.pdf.

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29

Weller, David P. "Colorectal cancer in the Australian population : prospects for prevention through screening /." Title page, contents and abstract only, 1994. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phw4478.pdf.

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30

Connell, Shirley Elizabeth. "Young Australian women with breast cancer : perspectives of their illness experiences." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2005. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/16054/1/Shirley_Connell_Thesis.pdf.

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Young women with breast cancer have been found to experience their disease more negatively and more intensely than their older counterparts. However 'young' is not uniformly defined within the literature. Studies have reported on a wide range of ages considered to be 'young', such as samples simply divided by menopausal status or other researcher-defined parameters. For the purpose of this study, young women with breast cancer were defined as those diagnosed at 40 years of age or younger. The overarching aim of the study was to explore the problems faced by this group of young women using qualitative methodology, guided by constructionist epistemology, and grounded in symbolic interactionism and social constructionism. The study was conducted longitudinally, with data collected three times over a 12-18 month period using one-to-one in-depth semi-structured interviews. Baseline data were collected in the first phase of the study (n=35). A sub-group of participants (n=13) were chosen to be followed twice more approximately six months apart, which made up the next two phases. Themes derived from the literature guided the first phase of the study, data collection and analysis. Data analysis was performed after each data collection phase, with findings informing the next phase/s of the study. Thematic and content analysis were utilized in regards to the analysis of the first phase of the study, providing a framework identifying the most pressing concerns, such as those centred around children and partners, emotional aspects and negative physical consequences of treatment. Interrelationships between these themes were apparent. Findings suggest that the emotional support needs of this group of young women remains a challenge. Basic analytical principles of data reduction, data display and drawing conclusions guided the following phases of the analysis. NUD*IST (N6) software was utilized to help undertake in-depth analysis of all follow-up data. The literature concentrates on infertility as a concern for young women with breast cancer, however the study found that fertility per se was a concern for this group of women. Issues of maintained and regained fertility were reported, i.e., concerns surrounding suitable, safe and reliable contraception, pregnancy and breastfeeding after breast cancer. Over time, perceptions of fertility changed. Decisions related to unplanned pregnancies and breastfeeding were particularly onerous. The study also provided other insights into the participants' lives. Body image is suggested to be of greater concern for younger women with breast cancer than their older counterparts. Perceptions of breast symbolism, societal and personal, were explored, as were perceptions of the external portrayal of their bodies. In addition, the participants reported how their experience of breast cancer differed from that of older women with breast cancer, e.g., to be and dress more sexually. Theories and notions of social constructionism and the social construction of the body helped explain the participants' experiences. The women were acutely aware of the sexual importance society placed on women's breasts. Social norms and expectations and cultural trends, that is the youth and beauty culture, were found to greatly influence the participants' perceptions and hence decisions made. Prosthesis use and breast reconstructive surgery were viewed as normalising efforts undertaken by participants to reduce stigma related to breast loss/disfigurement and to enhance body image. The findings from this study provide a greater understanding of the issues, concerns and experiences of young women with breast cancer and provide information that could be utilized in the redesign of educational/information resources to provide these women with relevant information. Currently available support services may also benefit from these findings as greater understanding of these women's experiences may facilitate and promote the provision of more age-appropriate support for young women with breast cancer diagnosed in the future.

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31

Connell, Shirley Elizabeth. "Young Australian Women with Breast Cancer: Perspectives of their Illness Experiences." Queensland University of Technology, 2005. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/16054/.

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Young women with breast cancer have been found to experience their disease more negatively and more intensely than their older counterparts. However 'young' is not uniformly defined within the literature. Studies have reported on a wide range of ages considered to be 'young', such as samples simply divided by menopausal status or other researcher-defined parameters. For the purpose of this study, young women with breast cancer were defined as those diagnosed at 40 years of age or younger. The overarching aim of the study was to explore the problems faced by this group of young women using qualitative methodology, guided by constructionist epistemology, and grounded in symbolic interactionism and social constructionism. The study was conducted longitudinally, with data collected three times over a 12-18 month period using one-to-one in-depth semi-structured interviews. Baseline data were collected in the first phase of the study (n=35). A sub-group of participants (n=13) were chosen to be followed twice more approximately six months apart, which made up the next two phases. Themes derived from the literature guided the first phase of the study, data collection and analysis. Data analysis was performed after each data collection phase, with findings informing the next phase/s of the study. Thematic and content analysis were utilized in regards to the analysis of the first phase of the study, providing a framework identifying the most pressing concerns, such as those centred around children and partners, emotional aspects and negative physical consequences of treatment. Interrelationships between these themes were apparent. Findings suggest that the emotional support needs of this group of young women remains a challenge. Basic analytical principles of data reduction, data display and drawing conclusions guided the following phases of the analysis. NUD*IST (N6) software was utilized to help undertake in-depth analysis of all follow-up data. The literature concentrates on infertility as a concern for young women with breast cancer, however the study found that fertility per se was a concern for this group of women. Issues of maintained and regained fertility were reported, i.e., concerns surrounding suitable, safe and reliable contraception, pregnancy and breastfeeding after breast cancer. Over time, perceptions of fertility changed. Decisions related to unplanned pregnancies and breastfeeding were particularly onerous. The study also provided other insights into the participants' lives. Body image is suggested to be of greater concern for younger women with breast cancer than their older counterparts. Perceptions of breast symbolism, societal and personal, were explored, as were perceptions of the external portrayal of their bodies. In addition, the participants reported how their experience of breast cancer differed from that of older women with breast cancer, e.g., to be and dress more sexually. Theories and notions of social constructionism and the social construction of the body helped explain the participants' experiences. The women were acutely aware of the sexual importance society placed on women's breasts. Social norms and expectations and cultural trends, that is the youth and beauty culture, were found to greatly influence the participants' perceptions and hence decisions made. Prosthesis use and breast reconstructive surgery were viewed as normalising efforts undertaken by participants to reduce stigma related to breast loss/disfigurement and to enhance body image. The findings from this study provide a greater understanding of the issues, concerns and experiences of young women with breast cancer and provide information that could be utilized in the redesign of educational/information resources to provide these women with relevant information. Currently available support services may also benefit from these findings as greater understanding of these women's experiences may facilitate and promote the provision of more age-appropriate support for young women with breast cancer diagnosed in the future.

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32

Coppe, Raelee Sharon, and edu au jillj@deakin edu au mikewood@deakin edu au wildol@deakin edu au kimg@deakin. "Correlates of Screening Mammography for Italian and Anglo-Australian Women." Deakin University. School of Psychology, 2001. http://tux.lib.deakin.edu.au./adt-VDU/public/adt-VDU20040825.105605.

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The first aim of the research was to determine the applicability of certain variables from the Health Belief Model (HBM), the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), the risk dimensions from the Psychometric Paradigm, the Common-Sense Model of Illness Representations and the Locus of Control to Italian womens beliefs and behaviours in relation to screening mammography. These models have predominantly been derived and evaluated with English-speaking persons. The study used quantitative and qualitative methods to enable explanation of research-driven and participant-driven issues. The second aim was to include Italian women in health behaviour research and to contrast the Italian sample with the Anglo-Australian sample to determine if differences exist in relation to their beliefs. In Australia many studies in health behaviour research do not include women whose first language is not English. The third aim was to evaluate the Anti-Cancer Council of Victorias (ACCV) Community Language Program (CLP) by: (a) identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the program as seen by the participants; and (b) assessing the impact of the program on womens knowledge and beliefs about breast cancer, early detection of breast cancer, self-reported and intended breast screening behaviours. The CLP is an information service that uses womens first language to convey information to women whose first language is not English. The CLP was designed to increase knowledge about breast and cervical cancer. The research used a pre-test-intervention-post-test design with 174 Italian-born and 138 Anglo-Australian women aged 40 years and over. Interviews for the Italian sample were conducted in Italian. The intervention was an information session that related to breast health and screening mammography. Demographic variables were collected in the Pre-Test only. Qualitative open-ended questions that related specifically to the information session were collected in the Post-Test phase of the study. Direct logistic regression was used with the participants beliefs and behaviours to identify the relevant variables for language (Italian speaking and English-speaking), attendance to an information session, mammography screening and breast self-examination (BSE) behaviour. Pre- and Post-Test comparisons were conducted using chi-square tests for the non-parametric data and paired sample t-tests for the parametric data. Differences were found between the Italian and Anglo-Australian women in relation to their beliefs about breast cancer screening. The Italian women were: (1) more likely to state that medical experts understood the causes of breast cancer; (2) more likely to feel that they had less control over their personal risk of getting breast cancer; (3) more likely to be upset and frightened by thinking about breast cancer; (4) less likely to perceive breast cancer as serious; (4) more likely to only do what their doctor told them to do; and (5) less likely to agree that there were times when a person has cancer and they dont know it. A pattern emerged for the Italian and Anglo-Australian women from the logistic regression analyses. The Italian women were much more likely to comply with medical authority and advice. The Anglo-Australian women were more likely to feel that they had some control over their health. Specifically, the risk variable dread was more applicable to the Italian womens behaviour and internal locus of control variable was more relevant to the Anglo-Australian women. The qualitative responses also differed for the two samples. The Italian womens comments were more general, less specific, and more limited than that of the Anglo-Australian women. The Italian women talked about learning how to do BSE whereas the Anglo-Australian women said that attending the session had reminded them to do BSE more regularly. The key findings and contributions of the present research were numerous. The focus on one cultural group ensured comprehensive analyses, as did the inclusion of an adequate sample size to enable the use of multivariate statistics. Separating the Italian and Anglo-Australian samples in the analyses provided theoretical implications that would have been overlooked if the two groups were combined. The use of both qualitative and quantitative data capitalised on the strengths of both techniques. The inclusion of an Anglo-Australian group highlighted key theoretical findings, differences between the two groups and unique contributions made by both samples during the collection of the qualitative data. The use of a pre-test-intervention-post-test design emphasised the reticence of the Italian sample to participate and talk about breast cancer and confirmed and validated the consistency of the responses across the two interviews for both samples. The inclusion of non-cued responses allowed the researcher to identify the key salient issues relevant to the two groups. The limitations of the present research were the lack of many women who were not screening and reliance on self-report responses, although few differences were observed between the Pre- and Post-Test comparisons. The theoretical contribution of the HBM and the TRA variables was minimal in relation to screening mammography or attendance at the CLP. The applicability of these health behaviour theories may be less relevant for women today as they clearly knew the benefits of and the seriousness of breast cancer screening. The present research identified the applicability of the risk variables to the Italian women and the relevance of the locus of control variables to the Anglo-Australian women. Thus, clear cultural differences occurred between the two groups. The inclusion of the illness representations was advantageous as the responses highlighted ideas and personal theories salient to the women not identified by the HBM. The use of the illness representations and the qualitative responses further confirmed the relevance of the risk variables to the Italian women and the locus of control variables to the Anglo-Australian women. Attendance at the CLP did not influence the women to attend for mammography screening. Behavioural changes did not occur between the Pre- and Post-Test interviews. Small incremental changes as defined by the TTM and the stages of change may have occurred. Key practical implications for the CLP were identified. Improving the recruitment methods to gain a higher proportion of women who do not screen is imperative for the CLP promoters. The majority of the Italian and Anglo-Australian women who attended the information sessions were women who screen. The fact that Italian women do not like talking or thinking about cancer presents a challenge to promoters of the CLP. The key theoretical finding that Italian women dread breast cancer but comply with their doctor provides clear strategies to improve attendance at mammography screening. In addition, the inclusion of lay health advisors may be one way of increasing attendance to the CLP by including Italian women already attending screening and likely to have attended a CLP session. The present research identified the key finding that improving Anglo-Australian attendance at an information session is related to debunking the myth surrounding familial risk of breast cancer and encouraging the Anglo-Australian women to take more control of their health. Improving attendance for Italian women is related to reducing the fear and dread of breast cancer and building on the compliance pattern with medical authority. Therefore, providing an information session in the target language is insufficient to attract non-screeners to the session and then to screen for breast cancer. Suggestions for future research in relation to screening mammography were to include variables from more than one theory or model, namely the risk, locus of control and illness representations. The inclusion of non-cued responses to identify salient beliefs is advantageous. In addition, it is imperative to describe the profile of the cultural sample in detail, include detailed descriptions of the translation process and be aware of the tendency of Italian women to acquiesce with medical authority.

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Wilson, Carmen Louise Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research UNSW. "The late effects of therapy in an Australian cohort of childhood cancer survivors." Awarded By:University of New South Wales. Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, 2008. http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/43794.

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In Australia, up to 80% of individuals diagnosed with childhood cancer are now expected to survive for more than five years after their initial diagnosis. However, survivors of childhood cancer are at risk of developing late sequelae as a consequence of therapies received during childhood. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of selected late sequelae in a cohort of Australian childhood cancer survivors and identify treatment and genetic factors that may modify the risk of late sequelae in survivors. Our study included 1150 individuals treated for childhood cancer at the Sydney Children??s Hospital between 1962 and 1999, who had remained in remission >3 years and were confirmed to be alive. Rates of mortality and second cancers among survivors were compared against population rates to determine standardised mortality and incidence ratios. Survivors completed a questionnaire on the incidence of adverse health conditions and provided a buccal specimen. Real time PCR was used to detect polymorphisms in genes involved in drug detoxification and transport. Rates of mortality and secondary cancers were found to be 7.5-fold (95%CI 5.4-10.1) and 4.9-fold (95%CI 2.9-8.0) higher among survivors of childhood cancer relative to the general population, respectively, with the highest risks observed for those survivors previously treated for Hodgkin??s disease. Over 60% of survivors reported at least one cardiopulmonary, endocrine or sensory-motor condition following diagnosis of childhood cancer; the most frequently observed conditions included growth hormone deficiency, hypothyroidism, and hypertension. Late sequelae were most frequently reported by females and survivors of brain tumours. Genetic investigations showed that an increased risk of growth hormone deficiency was associated with homozygosity for the GSTM1 null polymorphism, while no gene associations were observed to influence the risk of second cancers among survivors. Our study demonstrates that survivors of childhood cancer are at risk of developing a variety of health conditions as a result of anti-cancer therapies received during childhood. Determining risk factors for late sequelae based on therapy type, lifestyle and genetic predisposition will enable the optimisation of treatment protocols and promote the future well-being of childhood cancer survivors.

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Hyatt, Amelia, Ruby Lipson-Smith, Penelope Schofield, Karla Gough, Ming Sze, Lynley Aldridge, David Goldstein, Michael Jefford, Melanie L. Bell, and Phyllis Butow. "Communication challenges experienced by migrants with cancer: A comparison of migrant and English-speaking Australian-born cancer patients." WILEY, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/625836.

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ObjectivesUnderstanding the difficulties faced by different migrant groups is vital to address disparities and inform targeted health-care service delivery. Migrant oncology patients experience increased morbidity, mortality and psychological distress, with this tentatively linked to language and communication difficulties. The objective of this exploratory study was to investigate the communication barriers and challenges experienced by Arabic, Greek and Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese) speaking oncology patients in Australia. MethodsThis study employed a cross-sectional design using patient-reported outcome survey data from migrant and English-speaking Australian-born patients with cancer. Patients were recruited through oncology clinics and Australian state cancer registries. Data were collected regarding patient clinical and demographic characteristics and health-care and communication experiences. Data from the clinics and registries were combined for analysis. ResultsSignificant differences were found between migrant groups in demographic characteristics, communication and health-care experiences, and information and care preferences. Chinese patients cited problems with understanding medical information, the Australian health-care system, and communicating with their health-care team. Conversely, Arabic- and Greek-speaking patients reported higher understanding of the health-care system, and less communication difficulties. ConclusionsOur study findings suggest that migrant groups differ from each other in their health communication expectations and requirements. Lower education and health literacy of some groups may play a role in poorer health outcomes. Public health interventions and assistance provided to migrants should be tailored to the specific needs and characteristics of that language or cultural group. Future research directions are discussed.

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Wang, Ertong. "Discovery of anticancer agents from indigenous Australian melicope and sterculia." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2002.

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Naicker, Sundresan. "Evaluating Familial History as a Phenotypic Screening Tool for Colorectal Cancer in the Australian General Practice Population." Thesis, University of Sydney, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/2123/16868.

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Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer among males and third among females across the world. In Australia it is the second most prevalent and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality with the number of CRC incidences doubling over the last decade. While there has been a reduction of the incidence-adjusted mortality of CRC, a significant number of CRC detections are made at either the intermediate or later stages of the disease progression despite the roll out of a population based screening program for individuals aged 50 and over. Data shows that ‘one size fits all’ nature of the program despite recommendations from the NHMRC to screen according to the familial risk of an individual and inappropriate colonoscopy referrals, may have led to over screening those at average risk while potentially under-screening and missing those at an increased risk. Furthermore this program may have missed individuals under the age of 50 that have a high familial lifetime risk of developing CRC and require earlier CRC screening with a colonoscopy. It was hypothesised that implementing an online familial risk tool that notified both patients (aged 25-74) and their GPs of their familial CRC lifetime risk would increase the uptake of risk-appropriate screening among the study population relative to controls that receive usual care, during the 12 month study period. In doing so, this thesis used a complex intervention aimed at improving the rate of risk-appropriate screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) among an Australian General Practice population. This intervention utilised an online evidenced -based familial history algorithm, that stratified participants into three Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) recommended relative risk groups for screening CRC. These categories are based on a strong body of evidence showing that familial phenotype as measured by family history is a significant and non-modifiable risk factor for an increased lifetime risk of CRC. The algorithm used in the online tool was adapted from the NHMRC guidelines but were also updated by utilising the most recent evidence-base in addition to consulting with a group of experts. This algorithm was then programmed into an online website called “Which test is best?”. This website notified participants of their familial risk in addition to faxing or emailing this information to their consulting General Practitioner (GP). The website was piloted among members of a cancer consumer group (n=26), before being amended to improve clarity and the website interface. It was then implemented in a clustered RCT to evaluate its effect on risk-appropriate CRC screening. The intervention was implemented at both the cluster (GP practice) (Intervention n=27, Control n=28) and participant (eligible patients aged 25-74 with no personal history of CRC and/or inflammatory bowel diseases) level (Intervention, n=836, Control n=726). Those in the intervention arm were given access to the online website with risk tool and their family history information. In addition to their familial risk category with NHMRC recommended screening guidelines were forwarded to their consulting GP, while the control group had usual care. Both groups were followed up 12 months later to obtain their self-reported CRC screening information using the online survey. Thereafter, the control group was immediately given access to the online website with risk tool so that their family history information could be recorded and the level of risk-appropriate screening could be calculated for both groups. The results from this study showed ,that there was no significant difference in risk-appropriate screening rates amongst participants allocated to the intervention group compared to the control group as there was no main effect of allocation when included as a predictor within a binomial logistic regression when modelled to the GEE. However, participants allocated to the intervention group that were designated as belonging to the potentially high-risk category did engage in significantly higher levels of risk-appropriate screening when compared to the control group at 12 month follow-up. This was observed by a significant interaction effect of both family history and allocation in predicting risk-appropriate screening the final GEE model. Specifically, potentially high-risk individuals that were allocated to the intervention group had higher odds (about five times) of engaging in risk-appropriate screening when compared to those at population level risk that were assigned to either control or intervention, when controlling for other variables. This suggests that the online familial risk tool was effective in changing the behaviour of participants from the intervention group that were categorised as having a family history consistent with a potentially high risk (defined as having lifetime relative risk three times or greater of the general population) of developing CRC in their lifetimes. GPs from participating clusters were followed up by a survey (n=66) to assess their attitudes, knowledge and perceived barriers on utilising family history to risk-appropriately screen their average risk patients. Three important findings emerged from this survey. Firstly it shows that the majority of GPs in this study regard family history as the most important factor in screening their asymptomatic patients for CRC. It also shows that these GPs in principle strongly support the NHMRC guidelines, continuing education and peer-reviewed evidence as the most important knowledge factors in evaluating their CRC screening recommendations for asymptomatic patients, while being somewhat less influenced by government policy and their patients’ personal perceptions about the efficacy of a particular CRC screening test. However GPs appear very sensitive to their patients’ fears and anxiety over CRC screening, assessing this factor as the most important barrier to screening for CRC followed by their subjective lack of experience with CRC screening and time constraints imposed during the consultation. Findings also showed a substantial level of dissonance between what GPs believe to be appropriate CRC screening for their asymptotic patients and what they may be likely to recommend with 77% GPs self-reporting that they still refer up to 10 average risk asymptomatic patients to a colonoscopy during a typical month. Taken together the findings from this thesis show that that an intervention which aims to include both the patient and GP improves the uptake CRC risk-appropriate screening for individuals with potentially high-risk. It shows that a tailored risk tool, that supports GP triage may be sufficient to improve uptake of CRC screening modalities across all risk groups but may not be sufficient to encourage risk-appropriate screening of those from average and moderate risk. This is mainly due to persistent over-screening in the average-risk group within our study sample. Future studies may need to examine and differentiate between under screeners and over-screeners in order to target and tailor interventions to those groups separately.

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Nagle, C. M. "Survival and prognostic factors in epithelial ovarian cancer : follow-up of an Australian case-control study /." [St. Lucia, Qld.], 2004. http://www.library.uq.edu.au/pdfserve.php?image=thesisabs/absthe17804.pdf.

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Jones, Ellen Hung. "Exploring the use of complementary and alternative medicine in Australian adult patients undergoing anti-cancer treatment." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2022. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/232655/1/Ellen%20Hung_Jones_Thesis.pdf.

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Chacon, Cortes Diego Fernando. "Study of miRNA polymorphisms and their potential association with breast cancer risk in Australian Caucasian populations." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2015. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/89768/15/89768%28thesis%29.pdf.

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This project established a large and well characterised prospective breast cancer DNA biobank and used this biobank to conduct genetic studies in breast cancer. The thesis presented the results of these high-throughput genotyping studies in two separate Australian Caucasian case-control populations and identified association between three novel genetic variants in microRNA genes and breast cancer risk.

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40

Paap, Trudy. "The incidence, severity and possible causes of canker disease of Corymbia calophylla (marri) in the southwest of Western Australia." Thesis, Paap, Trudy (2006) The incidence, severity and possible causes of canker disease of Corymbia calophylla (marri) in the southwest of Western Australia. PhD thesis, Murdoch University, 2006. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/241/.

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The impact of a canker disease of Corymbia calophylla (marri) in the southwest of Western Australia (WA) has increased substantially since it was first observed causing decline and death of this species in the 1970s. By the early 1990s there were expressions of concern and calls to determine the cause and management options. Despite this, there has been very little research into the incidence, severity and possible causes of the disease. There are, however, historical reports dating back to the 1920s of a canker disease of amenity planted C. ficifolia caused by Sporotrichum destructor, though the diagnosis and Latin description were never published. It has been suggested that there may be links between this species and the genus Quambalaria, a group containing leaf and shoot pathogens of species of Eucalyptus and Corymbia. This study examined the incidence and symptomology of the disease, the range of fungal species associated with healthy and diseased C. calophylla, and the pathogenicity of isolates obtained from these surveys. Also investigated was the identity of the pathogen, S. destructor, historically attributed to canker disease of C. ficifolia, to determine whether this pathogen is responsible for the current epidemic of C. calophylla canker and if it is synonymous with Quambalaria. Cankers were present on trees across the range of surveyed sites, with lesions occurring on trunks, branches or twigs of 25.7 % of the C. calophylla surveyed. Canker incidence was significantly greater on trees present at remnant sites, such as roadsides and in paddocks, than forest trees being 38 % and 13.3 %, respectively. Tree height, trunk diameter at breast height and crown position, size and health ratings were significant predictors of canker presence, with cankers more common on larger, older trees and trees with poor crown condition. Bark cracks exuding kino were present on 48 % of the surveyed trees, and when dissected, lesions were observed on 40 %, suggesting that these cracks could be the initial stages of canker disease. This was confirmed by the observation of a number of cracks that developed into perennial cankers during the three year study. Monitoring of canker development and the examination of transverse sections showed the circumvention of host defenses by the pathogen and the subsequential walling off response of the host (which typifies perennial cankers) was not necessarily an annual event, with no change observed in some cankers over the three year period, while others progressed rapidly in that time, occasionally to the point of girdling and killing the host. Initial surveys isolated 44 fungal species from healthy and diseased C. calophylla, with opportunistic pathogens including Endothiella eucalypti and Cytospora eucalypticola common. Subsequent surveys foccussed more on a potential pathogen in the genus Quambalaria, which was rarely isolated from active lesions, presumably because of its slow growth rate, but which sporulated consistently on the surface of older sections of the cankers. DNA sequences confirmed that Q. cyanescens and Q. pitereka are present in southwest WA, with the latter associated with leaf and shoot disease. A third and new species of Quambalaria was isolated from cankers. Comparisons of disease symptoms and conidiogenesis indicate this species is synonymous with S. destructor. The species is formally described here as Q. coyrecup T. Paap sp. nov. A pathogenicity trial was unsuccessful in causing disease symptoms in trees inoculated with core plugs taken from canker lesion margins of diseased trees, though the time frame and environmental factors may not have been adequate for disease development. The core plug inoculation method may also have failed because opportunistic pathogens which were frequently isolated from lesions out-competed Q. coyrecup (paralleling the results achieved by culturing from lesions). Quambalaria coyrecup caused symptoms matching those observed in natural infections when suitable hosts were inoculated, confirming it is the fungus responsible for the current canker disease of C. calophylla and C. ficifolia. Endothiella eucalypti also caused significant lesions, though these were not typical of natural infections, which together with its frequent isolation from both healthy and diseased trees suggests it is an opportunistic pathogen, potentially contributing to disease development in trees already infected with Q. coyrecup. Isolates of Q. pitereka from WA and eastern Australia both caused typical shoot blight symptoms in the WA hosts C. calophylla and C. ficifolia, and the eastern Australian host C. maculata, though a larger path trial is required to examine the possibility of host specificity. Quambalaria cyanescens was non-pathogenic in all inoculation trials. The current cause of cankers in C. calophylla is now known to be the same as the fungus historically implicated in the canker disease of C. ficifolia, when at the time it was described as an endophyte doing little or no damage in C. calophylla. Thus, it is of immediate importance to determine the factors driving this decline, and develop control and management options.

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41

Paap, Trudy. "The incidence, severity and possible causes of canker disease of Corymbia calophylla (marri) in the southwest of Western Australia." Paap, Trudy (2006) The incidence, severity and possible causes of canker disease of Corymbia calophylla (marri) in the southwest of Western Australia. PhD thesis, Murdoch University, 2006. http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/241/.

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The impact of a canker disease of Corymbia calophylla (marri) in the southwest of Western Australia (WA) has increased substantially since it was first observed causing decline and death of this species in the 1970s. By the early 1990s there were expressions of concern and calls to determine the cause and management options. Despite this, there has been very little research into the incidence, severity and possible causes of the disease. There are, however, historical reports dating back to the 1920s of a canker disease of amenity planted C. ficifolia caused by Sporotrichum destructor, though the diagnosis and Latin description were never published. It has been suggested that there may be links between this species and the genus Quambalaria, a group containing leaf and shoot pathogens of species of Eucalyptus and Corymbia. This study examined the incidence and symptomology of the disease, the range of fungal species associated with healthy and diseased C. calophylla, and the pathogenicity of isolates obtained from these surveys. Also investigated was the identity of the pathogen, S. destructor, historically attributed to canker disease of C. ficifolia, to determine whether this pathogen is responsible for the current epidemic of C. calophylla canker and if it is synonymous with Quambalaria. Cankers were present on trees across the range of surveyed sites, with lesions occurring on trunks, branches or twigs of 25.7 % of the C. calophylla surveyed. Canker incidence was significantly greater on trees present at remnant sites, such as roadsides and in paddocks, than forest trees being 38 % and 13.3 %, respectively. Tree height, trunk diameter at breast height and crown position, size and health ratings were significant predictors of canker presence, with cankers more common on larger, older trees and trees with poor crown condition. Bark cracks exuding kino were present on 48 % of the surveyed trees, and when dissected, lesions were observed on 40 %, suggesting that these cracks could be the initial stages of canker disease. This was confirmed by the observation of a number of cracks that developed into perennial cankers during the three year study. Monitoring of canker development and the examination of transverse sections showed the circumvention of host defenses by the pathogen and the subsequential walling off response of the host (which typifies perennial cankers) was not necessarily an annual event, with no change observed in some cankers over the three year period, while others progressed rapidly in that time, occasionally to the point of girdling and killing the host. Initial surveys isolated 44 fungal species from healthy and diseased C. calophylla, with opportunistic pathogens including Endothiella eucalypti and Cytospora eucalypticola common. Subsequent surveys foccussed more on a potential pathogen in the genus Quambalaria, which was rarely isolated from active lesions, presumably because of its slow growth rate, but which sporulated consistently on the surface of older sections of the cankers. DNA sequences confirmed that Q. cyanescens and Q. pitereka are present in southwest WA, with the latter associated with leaf and shoot disease. A third and new species of Quambalaria was isolated from cankers. Comparisons of disease symptoms and conidiogenesis indicate this species is synonymous with S. destructor. The species is formally described here as Q. coyrecup T. Paap sp. nov. A pathogenicity trial was unsuccessful in causing disease symptoms in trees inoculated with core plugs taken from canker lesion margins of diseased trees, though the time frame and environmental factors may not have been adequate for disease development. The core plug inoculation method may also have failed because opportunistic pathogens which were frequently isolated from lesions out-competed Q. coyrecup (paralleling the results achieved by culturing from lesions). Quambalaria coyrecup caused symptoms matching those observed in natural infections when suitable hosts were inoculated, confirming it is the fungus responsible for the current canker disease of C. calophylla and C. ficifolia. Endothiella eucalypti also caused significant lesions, though these were not typical of natural infections, which together with its frequent isolation from both healthy and diseased trees suggests it is an opportunistic pathogen, potentially contributing to disease development in trees already infected with Q. coyrecup. Isolates of Q. pitereka from WA and eastern Australia both caused typical shoot blight symptoms in the WA hosts C. calophylla and C. ficifolia, and the eastern Australian host C. maculata, though a larger path trial is required to examine the possibility of host specificity. Quambalaria cyanescens was non-pathogenic in all inoculation trials. The current cause of cankers in C. calophylla is now known to be the same as the fungus historically implicated in the canker disease of C. ficifolia, when at the time it was described as an endophyte doing little or no damage in C. calophylla. Thus, it is of immediate importance to determine the factors driving this decline, and develop control and management options.

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Pollard, Christina Mary. "Determinants of fruit and vegetables consumption among adults in Perth, Western Australia." Thesis, Curtin University, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/358.

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Regular consumption of adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables may be protective against chronic disease such as cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and some cancers. Inadequate consumption of fruit and vegetables is a major risk factor contributing to 1.8% of the worldwide burden of disease, with Australian estimates at 2.7%. Dietary guidelines encourage eating patterns to reduce the risk of diet-related disease and improve population well being. They provide the context for most nutrition education initiatives. Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption is a core component of most dietary guidelines.The World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agricultural Organization asked nations to conduct targeted campaigns to increase consumption of fruit and vegetables. Effective health communications have the capacity to increase awareness and knowledge and induce long-term changes in individual and social behaviours. There is a lack of published information about population-based interventions promoting fruit and vegetable consumption. In addition, information about the factors influencing fruit and vegetable consumption is required to assist the development of effective interventions to promote increased consumption. Demographic, individual, and environmental factors are associated with fruit and vegetable consumption.The Department of Health in Western Australia aimed to increase the prevalence of healthy eating habits consistent with Australian Dietary Guidelines. The Department developed and implemented the Go for 2&5® population based campaign to increase awareness of the need to eat more fruit and vegetable consumption between 2002 and 2005. Effective fruit and vegetables communication campaigns reach the target audience via a number of pathways including point-of-sale promotions developed by industry partners. Health professionals, industry and consumers need resources to assist food selection. Specific nutrition and recipe criteria consistent with Australian Dietary Guidelines were developed to assist industry to conduct Go for 2&5® promotions at point-of-sale.Attitudes, beliefs and behaviours relating to fruit and vegetable intake were monitored with the 1995, 1998, 2001 and 2004 Nutrition Monitoring Surveys (NMS), the Health & Wellbeing Surveillance System (HWSS) from 2001 to 2006, and the Campaign Tracking Surveys (CTS) from 2002 to 2006.Analysis of the CTS and the HWSS found that the Go for 2&5® campaign was successful in reaching the target audience and increased awareness of the recommended serves of fruit and vegetables. There was a 0.8 serve population net increase in the mean number of serves of fruit and vegetables per day over three years (0.2 for fruit (1.6 in 2002 to 1.8 in 2005) and 0.6 for vegetables (2.6 in 2002 to 3.2 in 2005)) significant at (p<0.05)). Social marketing campaigns are an effective method to increase awareness of dietary recommendations and to motivate dietary behaviour change. Monitoring changes over time showed the importance of implementing social marketing campaigns over an extended period so that incremental growth in knowledge, intentions and behaviour can occur and be maintained.Analysis of the NMS observed changes in knowledge, attitudes and some behaviours relating to fruit and vegetable intake between 1995 and 2004. In 2004, respondents were more likely to report two servings of fruit/day (OR 3.66, 95% CI=2.85, 4.70) and five servings of vegetables/day (OR 4.50, 95% CI=3.49, 5.80) as optimum compared to 1995. However, vegetable consumption (in cups) in 2004 remained less than in 1995 (RR=0.88, 95% CI=0.82 to 0.96, p=0.003). Perceived adequacy of vegetable (59.3%) or fruit (34.5%) intake, and insufficient time for vegetable preparation (14.3%) remained the main barriers to a healthy diet.A population based nutrition campaign intervention based on the fruit and vegetable dietary guideline message was associated with changes in knowledge, attitudes and some behaviours relating to fruit and vegetable consumption in Western Australian adults. Further analysis and research to assess the impact of other individual, socioeconomic and environmental factors associated with fruit and vegetable consumption is recommended.

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au, t. paap@murdoch edu, and Trudy Paap. "The incidence, severity and possible causes of canker disease of Corymbia calophylla (marri) in the southwest of Western Australia." Murdoch University, 2006. http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20070423.152657.

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The impact of a canker disease of Corymbia calophylla (marri) in the southwest of Western Australia (WA) has increased substantially since it was first observed causing decline and death of this species in the 1970s. By the early 1990s there were expressions of concern and calls to determine the cause and management options. Despite this, there has been very little research into the incidence, severity and possible causes of the disease. There are, however, historical reports dating back to the 1920s of a canker disease of amenity planted C. ficifolia caused by Sporotrichum destructor, though the diagnosis and Latin description were never published. It has been suggested that there may be links between this species and the genus Quambalaria, a group containing leaf and shoot pathogens of species of Eucalyptus and Corymbia. This study examined the incidence and symptomology of the disease, the range of fungal species associated with healthy and diseased C. calophylla, and the pathogenicity of isolates obtained from these surveys. Also investigated was the identity of the pathogen, S. destructor, historically attributed to canker disease of C. ficifolia, to determine whether this pathogen is responsible for the current epidemic of C. calophylla canker and if it is synonymous with Quambalaria. Cankers were present on trees across the range of surveyed sites, with lesions occurring on trunks, branches or twigs of 25.7 % of the C. calophylla surveyed. Canker incidence was significantly greater on trees present at remnant sites, such as roadsides and in paddocks, than forest trees being 38 % and 13.3 %, respectively. Tree height, trunk diameter at breast height and crown position, size and health ratings were significant predictors of canker presence, with cankers more common on larger, older trees and trees with poor crown condition. Bark cracks exuding kino were present on 48 % of the surveyed trees, and when dissected, lesions were observed on 40 %, suggesting that these cracks could be the initial stages of canker disease. This was confirmed by the observation of a number of cracks that developed into perennial cankers during the three year study. Monitoring of canker development and the examination of transverse sections showed the circumvention of host defenses by the pathogen and the subsequential walling off response of the host (which typifies perennial cankers) was not necessarily an annual event, with no change observed in some cankers over the three year period, while others progressed rapidly in that time, occasionally to the point of girdling and killing the host. Initial surveys isolated 44 fungal species from healthy and diseased C. calophylla, with opportunistic pathogens including Endothiella eucalypti and Cytospora eucalypticola common. Subsequent surveys foccussed more on a potential pathogen in the genus Quambalaria, which was rarely isolated from active lesions, presumably because of its slow growth rate, but which sporulated consistently on the surface of older sections of the cankers. DNA sequences confirmed that Q. cyanescens and Q. pitereka are present in southwest WA, with the latter associated with leaf and shoot disease. A third and new species of Quambalaria was isolated from cankers. Comparisons of disease symptoms and conidiogenesis indicate this species is synonymous with S. destructor. The species is formally described here as Q. coyrecup T. Paap sp. nov. A pathogenicity trial was unsuccessful in causing disease symptoms in trees inoculated with core plugs taken from canker lesion margins of diseased trees, though the time frame and environmental factors may not have been adequate for disease development. The core plug inoculation method may also have failed because opportunistic pathogens which were frequently isolated from lesions out-competed Q. coyrecup (paralleling the results achieved by culturing from lesions). Quambalaria coyrecup caused symptoms matching those observed in natural infections when suitable hosts were inoculated, confirming it is the fungus responsible for the current canker disease of C. calophylla and C. ficifolia. Endothiella eucalypti also caused significant lesions, though these were not typical of natural infections, which together with its frequent isolation from both healthy and diseased trees suggests it is an opportunistic pathogen, potentially contributing to disease development in trees already infected with Q. coyrecup. Isolates of Q. pitereka from WA and eastern Australia both caused typical shoot blight symptoms in the WA hosts C. calophylla and C. ficifolia, and the eastern Australian host C. maculata, though a larger path trial is required to examine the possibility of host specificity. Quambalaria cyanescens was non-pathogenic in all inoculation trials. The current cause of cankers in C. calophylla is now known to be the same as the fungus historically implicated in the canker disease of C. ficifolia, when at the time it was described as an endophyte doing little or no damage in C. calophylla. Thus, it is of immediate importance to determine the factors driving this decline, and develop control and management options.

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44

Paap, Trudy. "The incidence, severity and possible causes of canker disease in Corymbia calophylla (marri) trees in south west of Western Australia." Thesis, Paap, Trudy (2001) The incidence, severity and possible causes of canker disease in Corymbia calophylla (marri) trees in south west of Western Australia. Honours thesis, Murdoch University, 2001. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/32766/.

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To determine the extent, severity and cause of cankers in Corymbia calophylla (marri) throughout the south west of Western Australia, field work was undertaken at three regions: Brunswick Junction, Perup and north west of Walpole. At each region, transects of stands of remnant vegetation (on private property or road verges), and in state forest allowed quantification of canker incidence, site and tree features. Cankers were sampled for potential fungal pathogens at these six sites, as well as cankered trees in state forest and roadsides east of Rocky Gully, and a railway siding in Balingup. Cankers were severe and widespread throughout the south west of W. A., and of the 300 trees assessed, 31.7% (95 trees) had at least one canker. Cankers were present on trunks, main branches, smaller branches, and as small lesions on twigs. Girdling cankers had caused tree death at five of the six sites. There were significantly (p<0.05) more cankered trees at the remnant sites than in state forest (47.3% and 16%, respectively). Though tree height, diameter at breast height (DBH) and crown ratings and health could be used as significant predictors of cankers occurring on a particular tree, these factors accounted for only 14% of the variation in the number of cankers predictable from the linear combination of the tree features (R2=0.141, F=16.78 (3, 306), p<0.0001). There was no significant (p>0.05) relationship between rainfall or trunk aspect and canker frequency. Damage caused by gall forming weevils, leaf feeding insects and shoot death contributed to tree decline, however, there was no correlation (p>0.05) between the presence of insect galls and cankers. Twenty two species of fungi were isolated from the 42 intensively sampled trees. Four fungal species, Cytospora eucalypticola (55%), Endothiella sp. (50%), Favostroma sp. (37.5%) and a Fusarium-like species (12.5%) were regularly isolated from cankers in all regions. A Ramularia sp. was isolated from leaves of Corymbia maculata at the Brunswick Junction property site, and from marri shoots and leaves in the adjacent state forest. A selective medium (half strength potato dextrose agar with the addition of 10 g/L chloramphenicol and 10 g/L rose bengal) was developed for the isolation of Ramularia, and while it provided an efficient method for isolation of the pathogen from infected leaf material, its effectiveness with infected woody tissue remains to be verified. Examination of the Endothiella sp. isolates showed conidia size was similar to that of Endothiella gyrosa, however this identification must be verified with molecular work. A great deal of variation was observed in colony morphology. Attempts to catogorise isolates on the basis of colony morphology were unsuccessful, as it was highly unstable, even within colonies from single spore isolates. A vegetative compatibility grouping (VCG) trial showed extremely high genetic variation, with 23 VCGs from 24 isolates, and isolates from more than one VCG present from a single canker. The genetic variation is only tentatively described as large, and molecular tools are recommended for further population studies. An inoculation trial using three Endothiella sp. isolates from marri cankers into marri seedlings defoliated at 0, 50 and 100% showed the fungus caused significantly (p<0.05) larger lesions than controls in all but one isolate/defoliation regime combination. The pathogen induced the largest lesions in the nonde- _,. foliated control seedlings, contrary to what had been anticipated. Lesions of nondefoliated seedlings were significantly (p<0.05) larger than those of 100% defoliated seedlings, and visibly, though not significantly (p>0.05) larger than those of 50% defoliated seedlings. Variation in pathogenicity was observed between the Endothiella sp. isolates. A winter field inoculation trial using two to three year old marri saplings showed that after four months, isolates of Cytospora eucalypticola, Botryosphaeria sp. and especially Endothiella sp. were pathogenic. There were significant (p<0.05) differences in pathogenicity between the two Endothiella sp. isolates, with one being particularly aggressive, causing long and sometimes girdling lesions. Of two Favostroma isolates, only one produced significantly (p<0.05) longer, but not wider, lesions than controls. A Fusarium-like species, and an isolate of Ramularia from the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) culture collection did not produce significant lesions. While it is tentatively suggested that there is a current canker epidemic being caused by Endothiella sp., the possibility of the involvement of a fastidious primary pathogen is not ruled out. It also appears likely that the decline of marri is a disease of complex etiology, with a range of contributing factors including insect damage, possibly introduced and endemic pathogens, and a range of environmental stresses. There is a pressing need for further research to determine the causes, and to enable the development of strategies for the control and management of marri decline.

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45

Alexander, Kimberly Elizabeth. "Quality of life and genetics in men with prostate cancer." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2011. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/46175/1/Kimberly_Alexander_Thesis.pdf.

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As family history has been established as a risk factor for prostate cancer, attempts have been made to isolate predisposing genetic variants that are related to hereditary prostate cancer. With many genetic variants still to be identified and investigated, it is not yet possible to fully understand the impact of genetic variants on prostate cancer development. The high survival rates among men with prostate cancer have meant that other issues, such as quality of life (QoL), have also become important. Through their effect on a person’s health, a range of inherited genetic variants may potentially influence QoL in men with prostate cancer, even prior to treatment. Until now, limited research has been conducted on the relationship between genetics and QoL. Thus, this study contributes to an emerging field by aiming to identify certain genetic variants related to the QoL found in men with prostate cancer. It is hoped that this study may lead to future research that will identify men who have an increased risk of a poor QoL following prostate cancer treatment, which will aid in developing treatments that are individually tailored to support them. Previous studies have established that genetic variants of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) may play a role in prostate cancer development. VEGF and IGF-1 have also been reported to be associated with QoL in people with ovarian cancer and colorectal cancer, respectively. This study completed a series of secondary analyses using two major data-sets (from 850 men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer, and approximately 550 men from the general Queensland population), in which genetic variants of VEGF and IGF-1 were investigated for associations with prostate cancer susceptibility and QoL. The first aim of this research was to investigate genetic variants in the VEGF and IGF-I gene for an association with the risk of prostate cancer. It was found that one IGF-1 genetic variant (rs35765) had a statistically significant association with prostate cancer (p = 0.04), and one VEGF genetic variant (rs2146323) had a statistically significant association with advanced prostate cancer (p = 0.02). The estimates suggest that carriers of the CA and AA genotype for rs35765 may have a reduced risk of developing prostate cancer (Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.72, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.55, 0.95, OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.26, 1.39, respectively). Meanwhile, carriers of the CA and AA genotype for rs2146323 may be at increased risk of advanced prostate cancer, which was determined by a Gleason score of above 7 (OR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.12, 2.63, OR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.08, 3.34, respectively). Utilising the widely used short-form health survey, the SF-36v2, the second aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between prostate cancer and QoL prior to treatment. Assessing QoL at this time-point was important as little research has been conducted to evaluate if prostate cancer affects QoL regardless of treatment. The analyses found that mean SF-36v2 scale scores related to physical health were higher by at least 0.3 Standard Deviations (SD) among men with prostate cancer than the general population comparison group. This difference was considered clinically significant (defined by group differences in mean SF-36v2 scores by at least 0.3 SD). These differences were also statistically significant (p<0.05). Mean QoL scale scores related to mental health were similar between men with prostate cancer and those from the general population comparison group. The third aim of this study was to investigate genetic variants in the VEGF and IGF-1 gene for an association with QoL in prostate cancer patients prior to their treatment. It was essential to evaluate these relationships prior to treatment, before the involvement of these genes was potentially interrupted by treatment. The analyses found that some genetic variants had a small clinically significant association (0.3 SD) to some QoL domains experienced by these men. However, most relationships were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Most of the associations found identified that a small sub-group of men with prostate cancer (approximately 2%) reported, on average, a slightly better QoL than the majority of the prostate cancer patients. The fourth aim of this research was to investigate whether associations between genetic variants in VEGF and IGF-1 and QoL were specific to men with prostate cancer, or were also applicable to the general male population. It was found that twenty out of one-hundred relationships between the genetic variants of VEGF and IGF-1 and QoL health-measures and scales examined differed between these groups. In the majority of the relationships involving VEGF SNPs that differed, a clinically significant difference (0.3 or more SD) between mean scores among the genotype groups in prostate cancer patients was found, while mean scores among men from the general-population comparison group were similar. For example, prostate cancer participants who carried at least one T allele (CT or TT genotype) for rs3024994 had a clinically significant higher (0.3 SD) mean QoL score in terms of the role-physical scale, than participants who carried the CC genotype. This was not seen among men from the general population sample, as the mean score was similar between genotype groups. The opposite was seen in regards to the IGF-1 SNPs examined. Overall, these relationships were not considered to directly impact on the clinical options for men with prostate cancer. As this study utilised secondary data from two separate studies, there are a number of important limitations that should be acknowledged including issues of multiple comparisons, power, and missing or unavailable data. It is recommended that this study be replicated as a better-designed study that takes greater consideration of the many factors involved in prostate cancer and QoL. Investigation into other genetic variants of VEGF or IGF-1 is also warranted, as is consideration of other genes and their relationship with QoL. Through identifying certain genetic variants that have a modest association to prostate cancer, this project adds to the knowledge surrounding VEGF and IGF-1 and their role in prostate cancer susceptibility. Importantly, this project has also introduced the potential role genetics plays in QoL, through investigating the relationships between genetic variants of VEGF and IGF-1 and QoL.

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46

Jackson, Tania. "Occurrence and variation of Endothiella eucalypti in Eucalyptus globulus plantations of south-western Australia and the influence of some biotic and abiotic factors on the response of the host to the pathogen /." Access via Murdoch University Digital Theses Project, 2003. http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20061129.132615.

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47

O'Neill, Lorraine. "From canter to cantor: Negotiating constraints, and the perceptions of elitism in serious leisure pursuits : The experiences of a high performing athlete and artist." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2010. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1826.

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Everyone experiences leisure differently but, for people who excel in a chosen field, a hobby can become a serious goal-oriented leisure pursuit. Many talented people, however, fail to reach their leisure goals due to constraints. This study explored individual life experiences of serious leisure participants. It focused on the lived experiences of individual event [horse] riders and opera singers who successfully negotiated their constraints, enabling them to reach their high performance goals. The purpose of this study was to explore positive personal strategies that individuals used to negotiate constraints in serious leisure. This was done by exploring intrapersonal, interpersonal and structural leisure constraints using an individual’s life experiences. During the process of this study, elitism in the leisure pursuits of event riding and opera singing, and the perceptions about individuals who participate in these activities, were also explored. A multidisciplinary approach was used in this study using a two stage mixed research methodology. The first stage explored the lived experiences of two individuals through a series of in-depth case study interviews, followed by interviews with their parents and coaches. Focus groups followed to establish if a wider group of participants within the same leisure pursuits experienced similar findings. The second stage of the study used a quantitative method, which consisted of a broader national survey. The survey data validated the qualitative findings and strengthened study outcomes. The findings of this study related to the opportunity-seeking skills an individual develops throughout their leisure life. These opportunity-seeking skills were linked to the likes, needs and wants an individual must have to reach a high performance level. It also found four principal ‘C Factors’ important to individual decision-making processes: conditioning, change, choice and control. Research findings revealed that early support and encouragement, however small, conditioned and motivated individuals to start and continue in a particular leisure activity. It also showed that those who had the ability to improve their talent, who personally believed in themselves, who viewed difficulties or complicated situations positively, and sought opportunities to enhance their leisure goals and change constraint outcomes, continued to succeed. Individuals had to make choices to enable them to control their goal achievement and deal with constraints throughout their leisure life. High performance success was found to be related to superior opportunity-seeking skills. Constraints arising from perceptions of elitism within serious leisure pursuits were found to be based on an individual’s life experiences and societal opinions, and not on the actual activity itself. In this study the strength of an individual’s motivation and self-belief, had a direct influence on their perceptions of constraints, and how they personally used opportunity-seeking to negotiate these constraints. Although the ability to predict which athletes or artists will become national or world class is limited, the conceptual framework developed in this study based on successful constraint negotiation strategies, could aid individuals wishing to reach a high performance level, and guide their parents and coaches to provide optimal support.

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Scott, Peter. "Analysis and identification of possible causal agents of canker formation in Eucalyptus phylacis (Meelup mallee) from Cape Naturaliste in the south west of Western Australia." Thesis, Scott, Peter (2003) Analysis and identification of possible causal agents of canker formation in Eucalyptus phylacis (Meelup mallee) from Cape Naturaliste in the south west of Western Australia. Honours thesis, Murdoch University, 2003. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/32629/.

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This study was carried out on the Meelup mallee, Eucalyptus phylacis, which is a Rare plant, Priority 2, growing in the Cape Naturaliste region of Western Australia. E. phylacis is a clonal plant with a ramet population of 27. The species is believed to be the oldest known Eucalyptus spp. mallee with the most extensive distribution from lignotuber expansion. The population has been subjected to considerable human interference in the last 120 years and is showing evidence of decline. A detailed survey was carried out on the population in order to establish the current condition of the population, and the severity of canker and related damage. Several fungal pathogens were isolated from the cankers, including Botryosphaeria australis and Cytospora eucalypticola. In addition Phytophthora cinnamomi was identified from soil samples with the ramet distribution. Different strains of B. australis were identified using barrage formation between different Vegetative Compatibility Groups. The pathogenicity of known pathogenic and commonly isolated fungi was assessed in E. phylacis and related species including E. decipiens, Corymbia calophylla and C. ficifolia. The data indicated the importance of B. australis in the canker syndrome and highlights future research needs and conservation requirements.

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49

au, Tania Jackson@dec wa gov, and Tania Joy Jackson. "Occurrence and variation of Endothiella eucalypti in Eucalyptus globulus plantations of south-western Australia and the influence of some biotic and abiotic factors on the response of the host to the pathogen." Murdoch University, 2003. http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20061129.132615.

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As the Eucalyptus globulus plantation industry expands and matures in southwestern Australia (WA), the impact of disease within the plantation environment is predicted to increase. This thesis investigated the most abundant canker-causing pathogen associated with branch and stem cankers, Endothiella eucalypti the anamorph of Cryphonectria eucalypti. Endothiella eucalypti was widespread, although at low incidence, throughout the WA plantation estate and was frequently observed sporulating on the bark of healthy hosts in the absence of disease. Regions with a long (approximately 20 years) plantation history, such as Bunbury, had the highest incidence of this pathogen. A high degree of variability in pathogenicity, growth rate and colony morphology was observed between WA isolates of En. eucalypti. In the glasshouse, a significant variation in susceptibility of seven E. globulus provenances to En. eucalypti was observed. Although an interaction between the E. globulus provenance and En. eucalypti isolate was recorded, some provenances were generally more susceptible than others. In two 18-month-old plantations, the susceptibility of three provenances to En. eucalypti was significantly influenced by environmental conditions. Visual assessment of general tree health indicated that less healthy trees had smaller lesions than healthy trees. It is hypothesised that the selection of E. globulus provenances to suit site conditions in the future should decrease the risk of serious disease, especially on marginal sites. Endothiella eucalypti caused disease in intact stems of two-year-old E. globulus under glasshouse conditions. This suggests that En. eucalypti may not require a wound to infect in the field. Vegetative compatibility groupings between WA En. eucalypti isolates indicated a relatively high degree of genotypic diversity within the WA asexual population of En. eucalypti, whereas inter-simple sequence repeats PCR (ISSR-PCR) analysis indicated a lower level of genotypic diversity. Discrepancies between traditional and molecular techniques, such as ISSR-PCR, was attributed to the more specific gene-togene analysis afforded by molecular techniques. ISSR-PCR successfully distinguished variability within the En. eucalypti population and with the teleomorph, isolated in South Africa. It also separated Cryphonectria cubensis isolates from the C. eucalypti isolates. As copper is the micronutrient most limiting growth of E. globulus in WA, its role in the resistance of two E. globulus provenances was examined in a glasshouse trial. Lesion extension or defence responses of E. globulus to En. eucalypti did not differ between Cu-adequate and Cu-deficient plants. It is suggested that constitutive levels of host defence enzymes played a more important role in providing protection for the host against En. eucalypti than the external supply of copper. A reduction in the canopy volume of E. globulus within plantations due to insect herbivory or foliar pathogens, such as Mycosphaerella spp., has been reported to predispose the host to disease caused by non-aggressive canker-causing fungi. Under two separate glasshouse trials, conditions of 100% defoliation and 80% defoliation maintained over six weeks prior to inoculation, were required to significantly increase lesion extension caused by En. eucalypti in E. globulus stems. The ability of defoliated E. globulus to retain a degree of resistance to En. eucalypti was attributed to the rapid replacement of foliage and up-regulation of photosynthesis in remaining leaves. The carbohydrate reserves of the plant were depleted following defoliation and remained depressed regardless of the length of time the trees remained defoliated. In conclusion, the endophytic habit of En. eucalypti poses a threat to highly stressed trees, however it does not appear to be an immediate threat to WA plantation health. Although En. eucalypti has not yet been responsible for a major disease outbreak in WA, the impact of this disease on plantation-grown eucalypts elsewhere in Australia and worldwide serves as an indication of its potential to affect WA plantations.

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Earls, Alison. "Genuine cherry red : a fiction novel." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2003.

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"Genuine Cherry Red" is a fiction novel. It is the story of three people who live in a house beside a hill in the flattest place on earth - an almost fable-like setting. In different ways, each is locked inside the order and control they have constructed through the years. Surrounded by nature and its reliable cycle, they are resisting change and denying the unpredictable randomness of life. Marta is a young woman who is both intelligent and naïve, caught inside a private maze of thinking and rethinking. She lives with her mother's cousin Ena who gave up nursing to take Marta in when her mother succumbed to depression, and Ena' s husband Len, a successful and prolific writer of cowboy fiction. Since a cancer diagnosis, Len - who had been living with multiple sclerosis - has been virtually catatonic ... until Grey Bob suddenly arrives. The central character of Len's fictional stories permeates their lives and things begin to change. The natural environment, the people of the nearby town, the order of the house all transform and Marta, Ena and Len struggle to cope. But they have no choice. When the inevitable shifts occur, spontaneous events have impact and disease progresses, each member of the family eventually finds a way to deal with the fact that reality can be haphazard and out of their control. So, through the presence of a fictional character, three people are forced to confront the erratic nature of human life.

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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Cancer in Australia'

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