Breast Cancer in Australian Indigenous Women: Incidence, Mortality, and Risk Factors

The Indigenous people of Australia face significant health gaps compared with the general population, with lower life expectancies, higher rates of death, and chronic illness occurring more often than in non-indigenous Australians. Cancer is the second largest contributor to the burden of disease with breast cancer being the most common invasive cancer diagnosed for females. Despite a lower breast cancer incidence compared with non-indigenous women, fatalities occur at an elevated rate and breast cancers have an earlier age of onset. For indigenous women there are also more advanced and distant tumours at diagnosis, fewer hospitalisations for breast cancer, and lower participation in breast screening. Concomitantly there are demographic, socio-economic and lifestyle factors associated with breast cancer risks that are heavily represented within Indigenous communities. The aim of this two-part narrative review is to examine the available evidence on breast cancer and its risk factors in Australian Indigenous women. Part One presents a summary of the latest incidence, survival and mortality data. Part Two presents the risk factors most strongly associated with breast cancer including age, place of residence, family risk, genetics, reproductive history, tobacco use, alcohol intake, physical activity, participation in screening and breast density. With increasing emphasis on personalized health care, a clear understanding of breast cancer incidence, survival, mortality, and causal agents within the Indigenous population is required if breast cancer prevention and management is to be optimized for Indigenous Australians.

The PA projection of the clavicle: a dose-reducing technique.

This study compares dose and image quality during PA and AP radiography of the clavicle. The methodology involved a cadaver-based dose and image quality study. Results demonstrate a statistically significant 56.1 % (p

A Model for Consistency Analysis of Radiological CRT Monitors.

This study examines the performance of a selection (n = 33) of cathode ray tube monitors used in radiology. Previously published quality assurance tests and standards are used and evaluated and the data provided were used to determine the utility of each test. Recommendations for a program of consistency analysis suitable for imaging departments using cathode ray tube devices are made. The tests included in this study are: examination of the ambient viewing environment; calibration of the monitor to the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine Grayscale Standard Display Function; and assessment of image quality using a selection of American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group 18 (TG18) test patterns. Cathode ray tube monitor performance was seen to vary across departments and nonadherence to international standards for specific parameters was noted. On the basis of the results, a program for consistency analysis was recommended. Ambient light levels should be assessed using a photometer. Calibration of workstation monitors should be completed on a quarterly basis. Comprehensive image quality analysis using the TG18-Quality Control test pattern that facilitates the investigation of a number of quality parameters must be assessed at parameter-specific intervals. This should be supplemented with the TG18-Glare Visual test pattern for an assessment of veiling glare. Implementation of the recommendations above should enhance diagnostic efficacy and subsequent patient management.