Publications by authors named "David C Whiteman"

Background: Understanding the factors influencing age at melanoma diagnosis by sex and anatomic site is crucial for developing effective prevention and early detection strategies. While previous research has highlighted sex-based differences in melanoma incidence by age and anatomic distribution, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We aimed to investigate sex-specific patterns in melanoma age at diagnosis across different anatomic sites and thickness categories, considering the potential influence of disease progression and detection rates.

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One in every three cancers diagnosed is a skin cancer. Europe has the global lead in the number of UV-attributable cancer cases with the highest number of melanoma cases worldwide and the second highest number of keratinocyte cancers (KC). Further increases are expected in Europe for the coming decades.

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Article Synopsis
  • A study investigated the link between skin screening/surveillance and increased melanoma diagnoses using data from over 10 million Australians over several years.* -
  • The results showed that individuals who were screened or surveilled had significantly higher rates of skin biopsies, excisions for suspected melanoma, and confirmed melanoma compared to those who weren't.* -
  • Findings suggest that increased skin detection activities can lead to higher levels of diagnostic events and melanoma incidence, indicating a robust correlation between screening practices and skin cancer outcomes.*
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With over 1.5 million new cases annually, skin cancers are the most commonly diagnosed group of cancers worldwide. Among these, melanoma and keratinocyte cancers (KC), comprising squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC), are predominant.

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Objectives: To estimate the incidence of melanoma in Australia among people with ancestries associated with low, moderate, or high risk of melanoma, by sex and 5-year age group; to establish whether age-specific incidence rates by ancestry risk group have changed over time.

Study Design: Modelling study; United States (SEER database) melanoma incidence rates for representative ancestral populations and Australian census data (2006, 2011, 2016, 2021) used to estimate Australian melanoma incidence rates by ancestry-based risk.

Setting, Participants: Australia, 2006-2021.

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Importance: It is unknown whether germline genetic factors influence in situ melanoma risk differently than invasive melanoma risk.

Objective: To determine whether differences in risk of in situ melanoma and invasive melanoma are heritable.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Three genome-wide association study meta-analyses were conducted of in situ melanoma vs controls, invasive melanoma vs controls, and in situ vs invasive melanoma (case-case) using 4 population-based genetic cohorts: the UK Biobank, the FinnGen cohort, the QSkin Sun and Health Study, and the Queensland Study of Melanoma: Environmental and Genetic Associations (Q-MEGA).

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Background: Research suggests that a high proportion of melanoma in situ (MIS) may be overdiagnosed, potentially contributing to overtreatment, patient harm and inflated costs for individuals and healthcare systems. However, Australia-wide estimates of the magnitude of melanoma overdiagnosis are potentially outdated and there has been no estimation of the cost to the healthcare system.

Objectives: To estimate the magnitude and cost of overdiagnosed MIS and thin invasive melanomas in Australia.

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The incidence and distribution of cutaneous melanoma differ between the sexes, but it is unclear whether these differences have been constant through time or across generations. We compared incidence trends by age, sex, and anatomic site by analyzing long-term melanoma data (1982-2018) in 3 populations residing at high-, moderate-, and low-ambient sun exposure: Queensland, Australia; United States White; and Scotland. We fit age-period-cohort models and compared trends in the male-to-female incidence rate ratio by site and sex.

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Article Synopsis
  • Skin cancers are super common, especially in people with fair skin, and most of them are caused by UV rays from the sun, which means we can do things to prevent them.
  • Experts from different continents suggest that fair-skinned people, especially kids, should stay out of the sun when the UV level is 3 or higher and use protection like hats, sunglasses, clothing, and sunscreen.
  • They also believe sunbathing and using tanning beds are unhealthy, so they want to spread these ideas to help everyone stay safe from skin cancer.
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Objectives: To examine recent changes in the numbers of Medicare-subsidised keratinocyte cancer excisions, particularly for younger people exposed to primary prevention campaigns since the early 1980s.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study; analysis of administrative data.

Setting, Participants: Analysis of Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) claims data for procedures related to the diagnosis and treatment of keratinocyte cancer in Australia, 2012-2021.

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Introduction: Major depression (MD) is more common amongst women than men, and MD episodes have been associated with fluctuations in reproductive hormones amongst women. To investigate biological underpinnings of heterogeneity in MD, the associations between depression, stratified by sex and including perinatal depression (PND), and blood biomarkers, using UK Biobank (UKB) data, were evaluated, and extended to include the association of depression with biomarker polygenic scores (PGS), generated as proxy for each biomarker.

Method: Using female ( = 39,761) and male ( = 38,821) UKB participants, lifetime MD and PND were tested for association with 28 blood biomarkers.

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  • This study investigates the unclear link between childhood body mass index (BMI) and the risk of developing skin cancers like melanoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) later in life.
  • Using a Mendelian randomization approach with genetic data, researchers analyzed whether genetically predicted childhood BMI affects the likelihood of developing these skin cancers.
  • The results showed no association between childhood BMI and the risks of melanoma or other skin cancers, suggesting that efforts to reduce childhood obesity may not impact the incidence of these cancers in adulthood.
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Background & Aims: Erectile dysfunction is common among older men and has been associated with low serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D concentration. However, this association may be due to uncontrolled confounding, and there is a paucity of evidence from interventional studies. We aimed to examine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the prevalence of erectile dysfunction, in an exploratory analysis using data from a large randomized controlled trial.

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  • * The research using UK Biobank data found 22 significant genetic loci linked to perceived youthfulness in women and 43 in men, indicating differences in genetic factors between sexes.
  • * The study revealed that young-looking women have correlations with skin cancer and tanning, while men’s perceived youthfulness is linked to male-pattern baldness, suggesting that future studies should consider sex differences in their approaches.
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Objective: To describe the development of a new position statement regarding balancing the risks and benefits of sun exposure for Australian adults.

Methods: We conducted a Sun Exposure Summit in March 2021, with presentations from invited experts and a workshop including representation from academic, clinical, policy, and patient stakeholder organisations. The group considered advice about balancing the risks and benefits of sun exposure for Australian adults and developed a revised consensus position statement.

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  • Researchers conducted a study to identify genetic factors influencing the likelihood of women giving birth to spontaneous dizygotic (DZ) twins, uncovering four new loci: GNRH1, FSHR, ZFPM1, and IPO8, alongside previously known loci FSHB and SMAD3.
  • * The study involved a large genome-wide association meta-analysis (GWAMA) of over 700,000 participants, focusing on mothers of spontaneous DZ twins and their offspring, excluding cases from assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs).
  • * Findings indicate that the newly identified loci play roles in female reproduction, and significant correlations were found with various reproductive traits and body size, suggesting evolutionary pressures against DZ twinning in humans.
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Female fertility is a complex trait with age-specific changes in spontaneous dizygotic (DZ) twinning and fertility. To elucidate factors regulating female fertility and infertility, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on mothers of spontaneous DZ twins (MoDZT) versus controls (3273 cases, 24,009 controls). This is a follow-up study to the Australia/New Zealand (ANZ) component of that previously reported (Mbarek et al.

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Background: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) and melanoma have different associations with sun exposure.

Objectives: To compare trends in the incidence rates of cSCC and melanoma, to provide insight into changing patterns of exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR).

Methods: We compared trends in the incidence of cSCC and melanoma in seven susceptible populations residing at mid-to-high latitudes: Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Scotland, the Netherlands and Tasmania (Australia).

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Background: Cancer surveillance researchers analyze incidence or mortality rates jointly indexed by age group and calendar period using age-period-cohort models. Many studies consider age- and period-specific rates in two or more strata defined by sex, race/ethnicity, etc. A comprehensive characterization of trends and patterns within each stratum can be obtained using age-period-cohort (APC) estimable functions (EF).

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