Socioeconomic and Geographic Disparities in Anorectal and Urinary Procedures Following Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer.

Background And Purpose: Evidence on how treatment outcomes vary by patient characteristics helps to inform clinical practice. In this study, we measured socioeconomic and geographic disparity in post-radiotherapy procedures, as an indication of short-term radiotherapy adverse effects, among men with prostate cancer.

Materials And Methods: We studied 8344 South Australian diagnosed men with prostate cancer (2002-2020) who received external beam radiotherapy.

Post-prostatectomy rehospitalisation rates and risk factors in South Australian men with prostate cancer: evidence from linked data.

Purpose: Prostate cancer is a common malignancy in men, with radical prostatectomy (RP) being a major treatment option. This study investigates post-prostatectomy rehospitalisation rates and risk factors in a cohort of South Australian men who underwent RP from 2002 to 2021 (n = 5105).

Methods: Post-prostatectomy rehospitalisation rates at 30 and 90 days were measured from hospital discharge data, with reasons determined from ICD-10 codes.

Patterns of medication use following breast cancer diagnosis: an Australian population-based study.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine patterns of medication use and polypharmacy following breast cancer diagnosis.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study used breast cancer data from the South Australian Cancer Registry linked with medication dispensing records, death registry, and inpatient hospital records. Women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer between July 2012 and March 2014 were followed for 5 years from diagnosis.

Sociodemographic and Health-Service Precursors of Local-Stage Lung Cancer Diagnosis: A Population-Based Study in New South Wales, Australia.

To investigate sociodemographic associations with medicated health conditions, general practitioner (GP) contacts, and computed tomography (CT) scans of the lung, as 12-month precursors of diagnosis of lung cancer at a local stage (cancers localized to the primary site of bronchus and lung). Cancer Registry data for New South Wales (NSW) adults diagnosed with lung cancer (ICD-10 C33-34) since the Census of August 2016 (n = 6160) were linked at person level with census and other administrative data. These included residents diagnosed with lung cancer from September 2016 to December 2018.

Determinants of breast screening participation using small-area data in South Australia: gaining past and future insights from geospatial evidence.

Purpose: To profile breast screening participation at small-area (SA2) level in South Australia (SA) and capture local variations in socio-economic factors, access to healthcare, and cultural influences screening behaviors in ways that larger administrative units might overlook.

Methods: SA2 demographic (2016 Census) and breast screening data in SA (2014-2015) were linked and analyzed. The dependent variable, biennial screening participation (ages 50-74 years), was classified as "low" if below the SA-wide biennial participation rate of 58%.

Introduction of breast density notification within BreastScreen South Australia - Results of an online client survey.

Objective: Breast density is one of the strongest predictors of breast cancer risk and significantly reduces the sensitivity of mammography to detect breast cancer. Breast density notification is becoming increasingly common within screening programs in Australia. This opportunistic study evaluates client response to the introduction of breast density notification within BreastScreen South Australia, including their level of understanding, approval of notification and future screening behaviours.

Clustering Patterns of Unhealthy Lifestyle Behaviours Among Adolescents: A Multilevel Analysis of a Nationally Representative School-Based Survey from 73 Countries.

: Adolescence is a crucial stage when young people adopt various lifestyle behaviours that can impact their health. However, the broader determinants of these behaviours remain underexplored. This study aimed to investigate clustering patterns of lifestyle behaviours, including physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and dietary habits, among adolescents and examine their determinants across individual, community, and societal levels.

Comparing post-treatment urinary and colorectal procedures in prostate cancer patients using population-based linked data.

Purpose: To investigate urinary and colorectal procedures among men who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT).

Methods: We studied 16,271 (RP = 8516 and EBRT = 7755) South Australian men diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2001 and 2021. Colorectal and urinary procedures were extracted from hospital admission procedure codes and Medical Benefits Schedule item codes.

Prognostic value of comorbidity measures among Australian men with non-metastatic prostate cancer.

Aim: To compare the utility of various admission-based comorbidity indices in men diagnosed with non-metastatic prostate cancer.

Methods: The study cohort consisted of men diagnosed with prostate cancer between January 2002 and December 2020 according to the state-wide South Australian Cancer Registry. Comorbid conditions were captured for 11,470 men through linkage to public hospital admission data 5-years prior to prostate cancer diagnosis.

Estimated incidence of disruptions to event-free survival from non-metastatic cancers in New South Wales, Australia - a population-wide epidemiological study of linked cancer registry and treatment data.

Introduction: Population cancer registries record primary cancer incidence, mortality and survival for whole populations, but not more timely outcomes such as cancer recurrence, secondary cancers or other complications that disrupt event-free survival. Nonetheless, indirect evidence may be inferred from treatment data to provide indicators of recurrence and like events, which can facilitate earlier assessment of care outcomes. The present study aims to infer such evidence by applying algorithms to linked cancer registry and treatment data obtained from hospitals and universal health insurance claims applicable to the New South Wales (NSW) population of Australia.

Innovative use of Australian cancer registry data for early detection of the effects of epidemics and other mass disruptions on cancer incidence.

Background: Predictive modelling using pre-epidemic data have long been used to guide public health responses to communicable disease outbreaks and other health disruptions. In this study, cancer registry and related health data available 2-3 months from diagnosis were used to predict changes in cancer detection that otherwise would not have been identified until full registry processing was completed about 18-24 months later. A key question was whether these earlier data could be used to predict cancer incidence ahead of full processing by the cancer registry as a guide to more timely health responses.

Temporal trends in medication and service use patterns for mental health issues among men with prostate cancer.

Objective: Prostate cancer can significantly impact mental wellbeing, creating uncertainty and morbidity. This study described patterns of psychotropic medication and mental health service use, as a proxy measure for mental health problems, 5 years before and 5 years after prostate cancer diagnosis.

Methods: Population-based registry data were linked with Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and Medicare Benefits Schedule data for all prostate cancer patients diagnosed in South Australia between 2012 and 2020 (n = 13,693).

Childhood Cancer Incidence and Survival in South Australia and the Northern Territory, 1990-2017, with Emphasis on Indigenous Peoples.

Background & Aims: Reports of a rise in childhood cancer incidence in Australia and globally prompted the investigation of cancer incidence and survival in South Australia (SA) and the Northern Territory (NT) over a 28-year period, with emphasis on Indigenous peoples.

Methods: This cross-sectional analysis of two prospective longitudinal databases, the SA and NT Cancer Registries (1990-2017), included all reported cases of childhood cancers. Poisson regression provided estimates of incidence rate ratios and survival was modelled using Cox proportional hazard models for children aged <5 and ≥5 years.

Protocol for evaluating the fitness for purpose of an artificial intelligence product for radiology reporting in the BreastScreen New South Wales breast cancer screening programme.

Introduction: Radiologist shortages threaten the sustainability of breast cancer screening programmes. Artificial intelligence (AI) products that can interpret mammograms could mitigate this risk. While previous studies have suggested this technology has accuracy comparable to radiologists most have been limited by using 'enriched' datasets and/or not considering the interaction between the algorithm and human readers.

Impact of comorbidities on prostate cancer-specific mortality: A population-based cohort study.

Aim: To assess the impact of comorbidities on prostate cancer mortality.

Methods: We studied 15,695 South Australian men diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2003 and 2019 from state-wide administrative linked data sets. Comorbidity was measured 1-year before prostate cancer diagnosis using Rx-Risk, a medication-based comorbidity index.

Primary, allied health, selected specialists, and mental health service utilisation by home care recipients in Australia before and after accessing the care, 2017-2019.

Objectives: To examine changes in primary, allied health, selected specialists, and mental health service utilisation by older people in the year before and after accessing home care package (HCP) services.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study using the Registry of Senior Australians Historical National Cohort (≥ 65 years old), including individuals accessing HCP services between 2017 and 2019 (N = 109,558), was conducted. The utilisation of general practice (GP) attendances, health assessments, chronic disease management plans, allied health services, geriatric, pain, palliative, and mental health services, subsidised by the Australian Government Medicare Benefits Schedule, was assessed in the 12 months before and after HCP access, stratified by HCP level (1-2 vs.

Medication-based Comorbidity Measures and Prostate Cancer Treatment Selection.

Introduction: We aimed to assess the association between comorbidities and prostate cancer management.

Patients And Methods: We studied 12,603 South Australian men diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2003 and 2019. Comorbidity was measured one year prior to prostate cancer diagnosis using a medication-based comorbidity index (Rx-Risk).

Mental Health Service Contact Following Cancer Diagnosis and Associations with Cancer Mortality: Results from a Linked Population-Based Study of Adolescents and Young Adults in New South Wales.

To assess the mental health conditions, as indicated by mental health service contact in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) diagnosed with cancer in New South Wales (NSW) and associations with cancer mortality. In 3998 NSW AYAs diagnosed with cancer in 2005-2017, mental health service contacts were obtained from hospital inpatient records and specified medical and pharmaceutical insurance claims. Odds of postcancer mental health contact were assessed by precancer mental contacts using logistic regression adjusted for sociodemographic and cancer characteristics.

Utility of prescription-based comorbidity indices for predicting mortality among Australian men with prostate cancer.

Background: Drug prescription registries has become an alternative data source to hospital admission databases for measuring comorbidities. However, the predictive validity of prescription-based comorbidity measures varies based on the population under investigation and outcome of interest. We aimed to determine which prescription-based index of comorbidity has most utility in Australian men with prostate cancer.

Risk of secondary malignancy following radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

We investigated whether prostate cancer patients treated with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) have a higher cumulative incidence of secondary cancer compared with patients treated with radical prostatectomy (RP). We used state-wide linked data from South Australia to follow men with prostate cancer diagnosed from 2002 to 2019. The cumulative incidence of overall and site-specific secondary cancers between 5 and 15 years after treatment was estimated.

Demographic, health, and prognostic characteristics of Australians with liver cancer: a cohort study of linked data in New South Wales for informing cancer control.

Background: Australian age-standardized incidence and death rates for liver cancer are lower than world averages, but increasing as in other economically advanced western countries. World Health Organization emphasizes the need to address sociodemographic disparities in cancer risk. A more detailed sociodemographic risk profiling was undertaken for liver cancer in New South Wales (NSW) by diagnostic stage, than possible with NSW Cancer Registry (NSWCR) alone, by incorporating linked data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Primary health care service utilisation before and after entry into long-term care in Australia.

Objectives: To examine utilisation of primary health care services (subsidised by the Australian Government, Medicare Benefits Schedule, MBS) before and after entry into long-term care (LTC) in Australia.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of older people (aged ≥65 years) who entered LTC in Australia between 2012 and 2016 using the Historical Cohort of the Registry of Senior Australians. MBS-subsidised general attendances (general practitioner (GP), medical and nurse practitioners), health assessment and management plans, allied health, mental health services and selected specialist attendances accessed in 91-day periods 12 months before and after LTC entry were examined.

REPCAN: Guideline for REporting Population-based CANcer Registry Data.

Background: The objective of this study was to develop a guideline on how to report result of a population-based cancer registry. Methods: The guideline's development involved a core working committee and a scientific committee comprising experts from diverse domains. The process comprised three steps: 1) a comprehensive review of existing tools and guidelines and the development of the initial draft of the guideline based on a review of literature, 2) refinement items through several rounds of focus group discussion among the core group, and development initial draft, and 3) Evaluation of the initial draft by scientific committee members.

The fraction of life years lost after diagnosis (FLYLAD): a person-centred measure of cancer burden.

Background: Cancer control initiatives are informed by quantifying the capacity to reduce cancer burden through effective interventions. Burden measures using health administrative data are a sustainable way to support monitoring and evaluating of outcomes among patients and populations. The Fraction of Life Years Lost After Diagnosis (FLYLAD) is one such burden measure.

The effect of general practice contact on cancer stage at diagnosis in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal residents of New South Wales.

Purpose: Older age, risks from pre-existing health conditions and socio-economic disadvantage are negatively related to the prospects of an early-stage cancer diagnosis. With older Aboriginal Australians having an elevated prevalence of these underlying factors, this study examines the potential for the mitigating effects of more frequent contact with general practitioners (GPs) in ensuring local-stage at diagnosis.

Methods: We compared the odds of local vs.