Cancer Epidemiology Research Unit

Current projects

The core of the Unit’s research is the ongoing Cancer Case Control Study which began in 1995.  Following informed consent, black patients newly diagnosed with a cancer at Johannesburg tertiary public hospitals are interviewed with a standard questionnaire which collects demographic and risk factor information.  Wherever possible, blood specimens are also taken. Diagnoses are confirmed by accessing laboratory records and patient files.
Analyses of data from the Case Control Study which are currently underway include:

• Risk factors for breast and gynaecological cancers in Black South African women, especially in relation to hormonal contraceptive use;
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• Investigation of the role of infectious agents in the epidemiology of upper gastrointestinal cancers and oral and pharyngeal cancers (in collaboration with the Cancer Council of New South Wales, Australia);
• Analysis of collaborative InterSCOPE (The International Collaboration on Squamous Cell Cancer of the Oesophagus) data, with emphasis on the role of Human Papillomaviruses HPVs).

Additionally:

• The Cancer Epidemiology Research Unit (CERU) continues to form part of the International Collaboration of Epidemiological Studies of Cervical Cancer.
• The CERG will once again be part of a group which will analyse South African Death Notification information of smoking by the deceased in relation to various causes of death.  Among other outcomes we may see the impact of Tobacco Control Legislation in reductions of some causes (in collaboration with the National Institute of Occupational Health, The MRC Burden of Disease Unit).
• The CERG will assist the National Cancer Registry with the interpretation of data collected in relation to incidence of cancers during 2000 - 2003.