Analysis of factors associated with outcomes and survivorship of lung cancer across the continuum of health care using linked primary care, hospital, clinical registry and population registry data

Project Details

This project is enabled by two previous Patron applications: linkage of Patron to the VCCC Data Driven Research Program, and access of linked Patron data by the VCCC Data Driven Research Program.

Patron ID: PAT030

Project Lead:

Prof Jon Emery

Overview:

This project expands upon ongoing work of the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre-funded Data-Driven Research Program: the first large-scale data linkage initiative of primary and acute services data aiming to improve outcomes in cancer care. The next phase of the project is to link to clinical registries for specific cancer types along with population registries such as the National Death Index for cause and date of death. This will allow for analysis based on outcomes and reported cause of death in the specified cancer stream. Inclusion of the Patron data set will complement existing linkages to primary care and hospital data and enhance analytical capability for the purpose of health services research across the cancer care continuum.


This project will form the basis of a PhD project based on one or more lung cancer clinical registries: initially a Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (VCCC) thoracic lung study cohort registry then, if needed, an equivalent St. Vincent’s hospital (VCCC) lung cancer registry (ethics and Patron governance amendments to include additional registries will be sought if required).

Research Outcomes

National and International Conference Presentations: (audience: healthcare professionals and researchers, consumers)

  • Zhang J, McCarthy D, Philip S, Kearney C, IJzerman MJ, Emery JD. Effect of times to diagnosis and treatment on lung cancer stage and survival: a data-linkage study of primary care and hospital datasets. 2023. (Oral presentation; 3rd ECR Cancer Epidemiology Conference)
  • Zhang J, McCarthy D, Philip S, Kearney C, IJzerman MJ, Emery JD. Time from diagnosis to treatment, risk factors and prognostic impact: a cohort study for patients with lung tumours. 2023. (Poster presentation; 2023 COSA Annual Scientific Meeting)
  • Zhang J, McCarthy D, Philip S, Kearney C, IJzerman MJ, Emery JD. A data-linkage, cohort study on time to lung cancer diagnosis at hospitals from first presentation in primary care: length, risk factors, impact on disease stage at diagnosis. 2023. (Poster presentation; VCCC Alliance Research Conference 2023)
  • Zhang J, McCarthy D, Philip S, Kearney C, IJzerman MJ, Emery JD. Factors for times to diagnosis and treatment in patients with lung tumours. 2023. (Oral presentation; AEA 2023 Scientific Meeting)
  • Zhang J, McCarthy D, Philip S, Kearney C, IJzerman MJ, Emery JD. Delays in lung cancer diagnosis and treatment: a data-linkage, cohort study between primary care and hospital datasets. Aust J Prim Health. 2023. (Oral presentation; AAAPC 2023 Annual Research Conference)
  • Zhang J, McCarthy D, Kearney C, IJzerman M, Emery J. Delays and factors in lung cancer diagnosis and treatment: a cohort study based on data linkage between primary care and hospital datasets. 2022. (Oral presentation; 2nd ECR Cancer Epidemiology Conference)
  • Zhang J, McCarthy D, Kearney C, IJzerman M, Emery J. Delays and factors in lung cancer diagnosis and treatment: a cohort study based on data linkage between primary care and hospital datasets. 2022. (Poster presentation; ACTA Annual Scientific Meeting, including Australian Registry Annual Scientific Meeting)

Other Presentations (audience: PhD students in Victoria for cancer research)

  • "Delays and risk factors in lung cancer diagnosis and treatment: a cohort study based on data linkage between primary care and hospital datasets"  (Oral Presentation, 2022 Comprehensive Cancer PhD (CCPhD) Student Symposium, Melbourne, Australia)
  • PhD Thesis - Time intervals, risk factors and patient outcomes in lung cancer.  Awarded January 2024.    (Article) Diagnostic intervals, risk factors and lung cancer outcomes: an Australian data-linkage study.  Pending publication.

Research Publications

Rafiq M, Drosdowsky A,Solomon B, et al. (2024) Trends in primary care blood tests prior to lung and colorectal cancer diagnosis—A retrospective cohort study using linked Australian data. Cancer Med. 2024;13:e70006. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.70006

Research Group

Data for Decisions

Key Contact

For further information about this research, please contact the research group leader.

Department / Centre

General Practice and Primary Care Research

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