Population-level relevance of risk factors for cancer

We are estimating and comparing the population-level relevance of risk factors for cancer in Australia by applying our recently published PAF measure and program to data from established large-scale Australian cohort studies linked to national cancer and death registries (relative risk estimates) and nationally representative health survey (exposure prevalence estimates). Our method has been shown to provide more accurate estimates of the fraction of disease attributable to risk factors than previous methods. We will use a pooled cohort approach to further enhance the precision of the estimates and to allow the analysis of less common cancers. This study is focusing on the preventable lifestyle-related risk factors (e.g., smoking, alcohol consumption, poor diet, lack of exercise, overweight). Effect modification by non-modifiable risk factors will be evaluated to identify the most vulnerable target groups. This study will provide novel up-to-date evidence-based information for planning effective cancer prevention strategies in Australia.

Project team

Project collaborators: External

Professor Karen Canfell
Cancer Council NSW
Dr Robert MacInnis
Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria and University of Melbourne
Professor Emily Banks
Australian National University
Professor Graham Giles
Cancer Council Victoria and University of Melbourne
Professor Paul Mitchell
University of Sydney
Professor Robert Cumming
University of Sydney
Professor Julie Byles
Newcastle University
Associate Professor Jonathan Shaw
Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute
Professor Anne Taylor
University of Adelaide
Vasant Hirani
University of Sydney
Associate Professor Kay Price
University of South Australia

Key contact

02 9385 1402
m.laaksonen@unsw.edu.au