The Queensland study of melanoma:Environmental and genetic associations (Q_MEGA): study design, baseline characteristics, and repeatability of phenotype and sun exposure measures

Baxter, A.J., Hughes, M.C., Kvaskoff, M, Siskind, V., Shekar, S., Aitken, J. F., Green, A. C., Duffy, D., Hayward, N., Martin, N. G. and Whiteman, D. C. (2008) The Queensland study of melanoma:Environmental and genetic associations (Q_MEGA): study design, baseline characteristics, and repeatability of phenotype and sun exposure measures. Twin Research and Human Genetics, 11 2: 183-196. doi:10.1375/twin.11.2.183


Author Baxter, A.J.
Hughes, M.C.
Kvaskoff, M
Siskind, V.
Shekar, S.
Aitken, J. F.
Green, A. C.
Duffy, D.
Hayward, N.
Martin, N. G.
Whiteman, D. C.
Title The Queensland study of melanoma:Environmental and genetic associations (Q_MEGA): study design, baseline characteristics, and repeatability of phenotype and sun exposure measures
Journal name Twin Research and Human Genetics   Check publisher's open access policy
ISSN 1832-4274
Publication date 2008-01-01
Year available 2008
Sub-type Article (original research)
DOI 10.1375/twin.11.2.183
Open Access Status Not yet assessed
Volume 11
Issue 2
Start page 183
End page 196
Total pages 14
Place of publication Australia
Publisher Australian Academic Press Pty. Ltd.
Language eng
Subject C1
920117 Skin and Related Disorders
920102 Cancer and Related Disorders
111299 Oncology and Carcinogenesis not elsewhere classified
110304 Dermatology
Abstract Cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) is a major health issue in Queensland, Australia, which has the world's highest incidence. Recent molecular and epidemiologic studies suggest that CMM arises through multiple etiological pathways involving gene–environment interactions. Understanding the potential mechanisms leading to CMM requires larger studies than those previously conducted. This article describes the design and baseline characteristics of Q-MEGA, the Queensland Study of Melanoma: Environmental and Genetic Associations, which followed up 4 population-based samples of CMM patients in Queensland, including children, adolescents, men aged over 50, and a large sample of adult cases and their families, including twins. Q-MEGA aims to investigate the roles of genetic and environmental factors, and their interaction, in the etiology of melanoma. Three thousand, four hundred and seventy-one participants took part in the follow-up study and were administered a computer-assisted telephone interview in 2002–2005. Updated data on environmental and phenotypic risk factors, and 2777 blood samples were collected from interviewed participants as well as a subset of relatives. This study provides a large and well-described population-based sample of CMM cases with follow-up data. Characteristics of the cases and repeatability of sun exposure and phenotype measures between the baseline and the follow-up surveys, from 6 to 17 years later, are also described.
Keyword Genetics & Heredity
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Genetics & Heredity
Obstetrics & Gynecology
GENETICS & HEREDITY
OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Confirmed Code
Grant ID CA88363
Institutional Status Non-UQ

Document type: Journal Article
Sub-type: Article (original research)
Collections: 2009 Higher Education Research Data Collection
School of Medicine Publications
School of Psychology Publications
 
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Created: Wed, 15 Apr 2009, 02:15:44 EST by Amanda Jones on behalf of Medicine - Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital