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Objectives: To investigate self‐reported out‐of‐pocket health care expenses, both overall and by cost type, for a large population‐based sample of Australians, by cancer status and socio‐demographic and medical characteristics. Study design: Cross‐sectional study. Setting, participants: New South Wales residents participating in the 45 and Up Study (recruited aged 45 years or older during 2005–2009) who completed the 2020 follow‐up questionnaire; survey responses linked with New South Wales Cancer Registry data. Main outcome measures: Proportions of respondents who reported that out‐of‐pocket health care expenses during the preceding twelve months exceeded $1000 or $10 000; adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for associations with socio‐demographic and medical characteristics. Results: Of the 267 357 recruited 45 and Up Study participants, 45 061 completed the 2020 survey (response rate, 53%); 42.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 42.2–43.1%) reported that overall out‐of‐pocket health care expenses during the previous year exceeded $1000, including 55.4% (52.1–58.7%) of participants diagnosed in the preceding two years and 44.9% (43.7–46.1%) of participants diagnosed with cancer more than two years ago. After adjustment for socio‐demographic factors, out‐of‐pocket expenses greater than $1000 were more likely to be reported by participants with cancer than by those without cancer (diagnosis in past two years: aOR, 2.06 [95% CI, 1.77–2.40]; diagnosis more than two years ago: aOR, 1.22 [95% CI, 1.15–1.29]). The odds of out‐of‐pocket expenses exceeding $1000 increased with area‐based socio‐economic advantage and household income, and were higher for people with private health insurance (v people with Medicare coverage only: aOR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.53–1.75). Out‐of‐pocket expenses exceeding $10 000 were also more likely for participants diagnosed with cancer during the past two years (v no cancer: aOR, 3.30; 95% CI, 2.56–4.26). Conclusions: People diagnosed with cancer during the past two years were much more likely than people without cancer to report twelve‐month out‐of‐pocket health care expenses that exceeded $1000. Out‐of‐pocket expenses for people with cancer can exacerbate financial strain at a time of vulnerability, and affect health care equity because some people cannot pay for all available treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine changes in multiple myeloma incidence and mortality rates during 1982–2018, and to estimate its incidence, mortality, and prevalence for 2019–2043. Study design: Population‐based statistical modelling study; analysis of and projections based on Australian Institute of Health and Welfare multiple myeloma incidence, mortality, and survival data. Setting: Australia, 1982–2018 (historical data) and projections to 2043. Main outcome measures: Changes in multiple myeloma incidence and mortality rates, 1982–2018, determined by joinpoint regression analysis (age‐standardised to 2021 Australian population); projection of rates to 2043 based on age–period–cohort models; estimated 5‐ and 30‐year prevalence of multiple myeloma (modified counting method). Results: The incidence of multiple myeloma increased during 1982–2018 (eg, annual percentage change [APC], 2006–2018, 1.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7–2.2%), but the mortality rate declined during 1990–2018 (APC, –0.4%; 95% CI, –0.5% to –0.2%). The age‐standardised incidence rate was projected to increase by 14.9% during 2018–2043, from 8.7 in 2018 to 10.0 (95% CI, 9.4–10.7) new cases per 100 000 population in 2043; the mortality rate was projected to decline by 27.5%, from 4.0 to 2.9 (95% CI, 2.6–3.3) deaths per 100 000 population. The annual number of people newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma was estimated to increase by 89.2%, from 2120 in 2018 to 4012 in 2043; the number of deaths from multiple myeloma was projected to increase by 31.7%, from 979 to 1289. The number of people living with multiple myeloma up to 30 years after initial diagnosis was projected to increase by 163%, from 10 288 in 2018 to 27 093 in 2043, including 13 019 people (48.1%) diagnosed during the preceding five years. Conclusion: Although the decline in the mortality rate was projected to continue, the projected increases in the incidence and prevalence of multiple myeloma in Australia over the next 25 years indicate that investment in prevention and early detection research, and planning for prolonged treatment and care, are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Systematic reviews of the relationship between alcohol consumption and all‐cause mortality have reported different relative risk (RR) curves, possibly due to the choice of reference group. Results have varied from 'J‐shaped' curves, where low‐volume consumption is associated with reduced risk, to monotonically increased risk with increasing consumption. We summarised the evidence on alcohol consumption and all‐cause mortality exclusively from systematic reviews using lifetime abstainers or low‐volume/occasional drinkers as the reference group. Methods: We conducted a systematic umbrella review of systematic reviews of the relationship between alcohol consumption and all‐cause mortality in prospective cohort studies using a reference group of lifetime abstainers or low‐volume/occasional drinkers. Several databases (PubMed/Medline/Embase/PsycINFO/Cochrane Library) were searched to March 2022. Reviews were assessed for risk of bias, and those with reference groups containing former drinkers were excluded. Results: From 2149 articles retrieved, 25 systematic reviews were identified, and five did not include former drinkers in the reference group. Four of the five included reviews had high risk of bias. Three reviews reported a J‐shaped relationship between alcohol consumption and all‐cause mortality with significant decreased risk for low‐volume drinking (RR range 0.84 to 0.95), while two reviews did not. The one review at low risk of bias reported monotonically increased risk with greater consumption (RRs = 1.02, 1.13, 1.33 and 1.52 for low‐, medium‐, high‐ and higher‐volume drinking, respectively, compared with occasional drinking). All five reviews reported significantly increased risk with higher levels of alcohol consumption (RR range 1.28 to 3.70). Sub‐group analyses were reported by sex and age; however, there were evidence gaps for many important factors. Conversely, 17 of 20 excluded systematic reviews reported decreased mortality risk for low‐volume drinking. Conclusions: Over 70% of systematic reviews and meta‐analyses published to March 2022 of all‐cause mortality risk associated with alcohol consumption did not exclude former drinkers from the reference group and may therefore be biased by the 'sick‐quitter effect'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: In response to the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a research project was developed with a cohort of 45 and Up Study participants to generate timely, relevant evidence to guide policy, practice and planning. This paper describes the research model, the cohort establishment and characteristics, and some findings. Methods: A subgroup of 45 and Up Study participants was invited to enrol in 45 and Up COVID Insights -- a series of five online surveys conducted during 2020-22. The model involved a close collaborative partnership with the New South Wales Ministry of Health and a panel of scientific advisers, an agile data collection methodology and rapid dissemination of findings. Frequent, iterative engagement with stakeholders provided a framework for identifying survey themes and questions and ensured wide dissemination of findings. Themes included healthcare use, attitudes toward and uptake of COVID-19 prevention measures, and the impact of the pandemic on mental health, loneliness, and lifestyle behaviours. Results: 45 and Up COVID Insights achieved strong stakeholder engagement through extensive consultation and rapid reporting of results. The project recruited a diverse cohort of 32 115 participants: median age 68 years (range: 56-100+); 8% from outer regional/remote areas; 12% from the most socioeconomically disadvantaged communities; and 9% from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The first four surveys found that the impact of the pandemic varied across populations and stages of the pandemic. Between February--April (survey 2) 2021, 10% reported missed healthcare in the past month because of the pandemic, rising to 26% by September--November 2021 (survey 4). Quality of life remained high (>90% good--excellent across the surveys). As the pandemic progressed, the proportion reporting worsened mental health as a result increased from 29% (July--December 2020, survey 1) to 46% (survey 4). In survey 2 (February--April 2021), 89% intended to get the COVID-19 vaccine, with 8% unsure. By late 2021, vaccination uptake was high, with 98% of respondents having received at least one vaccination. Conclusion: There is great value in harnessing a large longitudinal, well-described, and diverse cohort study to generate evidence in a changing context with evolving information needs. The collaborative model enhanced the value and relevance of the data to inform decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/objective: To describe the attributes that have underscored the success of the 45 and Up Study (the Study) and demonstrate its value by reflecting on two case studies: our research on socioeconomic inequalities in cardiovascular disease; and the harms of smoking. Type of program or service: The Study is the largest study of healthy ageing in Australia, and one of the biggest in the world; it recruited 267 357 participants aged 45 years and older from NSW, Australia from 2005 to 2009. For more than 15 years, it has provided high-quality evidence on a broad range of public health related issues. We reflect on its value using two research case studies. Results: Four key attributes have enabled the success of the Study: its establishment as a collaborative resource, including early and ongoing engagement with researchers and policy and practice partners; its large scale, which makes it ideally suited to quantify associations between risk factors and health outcomes, including for high priority populations; high quality self-reported survey data; and linkage to routinely collected administrative data, including specialised data. Novel Australian findings on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and smoking illustrate how the Study has contributed to national and international evidence, informing policy and practice. Results on CVD demonstrated individual-level education-related inequalities in CVD incidence and mortality, and greater use of pharmacotherapy for secondary prevention of CVD, in people with low versus high socioeconomic status. In terms of smoking, Study data showed that current smokers have around three times the mortality of never-smokers; that even "light" smoking of <14 cigarettes per day doubles mortality; that quitting is beneficial at any age; that smoking increases the risk of multiple longcancer types; and that smoking causes half of deaths in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 45 years and over and more than one-third of all deaths in the population. This evidence has been used by more than 50 government and non-government organisations, including contributing to legislation, policy and national and international monitoring and reporting. Lessons learnt: The Study has fulfilled a vital role in public health research and practice in Australia, providing locally relevant data to enable research on health issues of importance, including health inequity. Through ongoing partnerships, the Study's data has contributed to international scientific evidence and been used to inform public health policy and practice. It has also been used as a focus for collaboration and capacity building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Over the 15 years since the 45 and Up Study (the Study) was established, researchers have harnessed its capacity for enabling rigorous, comprehensive investigation of cancer causes, care, and outcomes. For the first time in Australia, the entire cancer-control continuum could be investigated by linking questionnaire data with cancer registry notifications, hospital records, outpatient medical services and prescription medications at scale. Here, we use lung cancer as a case study to demonstrate the Study's potential to improve cancer control. Method: Narrative description. Results: Between 2006-2013, approximately 1200 participants in the Study cohort who had no prior history of cancer were diagnosed with lung cancer, allowing the generation of novel, policy- and practice-relevant evidence for tobacco control, screening, and systems of care. The Study produced evidence on the continuing impact of smoking, including that 'light smoking' (1-5 cigarettes/day) is associated with nine times the risk of lung cancer compared to never-smoking; and that 54% of lung cancers could be avoided long-term if all Australians who smoked were to quit. The Study was used to validate a lung cancer screening risk prediction tool, correctly identifying 70% of the participants with a history of smoking who developed lung cancer within a 6-year period as 'high-risk'. Potential inequities in lung cancer care were identified using the Study cohort, including suboptimal levels of radiotherapy utilisation, below benchmark levels of systemic therapy for patients with metastatic disease, and high numbers of emergency department presentations prior to diagnosis. Participants with lung cancer reported poorer quality of life than those with almost any other cancer type, and about 50% reported severe physical functioning limitations. The Study also provided the infrastructure for the first comprehensive report on lung cancer health system costs. Lessons learnt: As a statewide, population-based cohort, the Study provides reliable estimates of cancer risk, health services utilisation, and personcentred outcomes that can inform policy and practice decision making; and has provided the backbone for localising policy-relevant insights from international experience. We have found that the direct involvement of clinicians and policy makers in research design, and engagement with community networks, can yield tractable, policy-relevant, and ultimately impactful scientific insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Systemic therapies for lung cancer are rapidly evolving. This study aimed to describe lung cancer treatment patterns in New South Wales, Australia, prior to the introduction of immunotherapy and latest‐generation targeted therapies. Methods: Systemic therapy utilization and treatment‐related factors were examined for participants in the New South Wales 45 and Up Study with incident lung cancer ascertained by record linkage to the New South Wales Cancer Registry (2006–2013). Systemic therapy receipt to June 2016 was determined using medical and pharmaceutical claims data from Services Australia, and in‐patient hospital records. Factors related to treatment were identified using competing risks regressions. Results: A total of 1,116 lung cancer cases were identified with a mean age at diagnosis of 72 years and median survival of 10.6 months. Systemic therapy was received by 45% of cases. Among 400 cases with metastatic non–small cell lung cancer, 51% and 28% received first‐ and second‐line systemic therapy, respectively. Among 112 diagnosed with small‐cell lung cancer, 79% and 29% received first‐ and second‐line systemic therapy. The incidence of systemic therapy was lower for participants with indicators of poor performance status, lower educational attainment, and those who lived in areas of socioeconomic disadvantage; and was higher for participants with small‐cell lung cancer histology or higher body mass index. Conclusion: This population‐based Australian study identified patterns of systemic therapy use for lung cancer, particularly small‐cell lung cancer. Despite a universal healthcare system, the analysis revealed socioeconomic disparities in health service utilization and relatively low utilization of systemic therapy overall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To describe patterns of care in New South Wales for men with prostate cancer, and to ascertain factors associated with receiving different types of treatment. Design: Individual patient data record linkage study. Setting, participants: 4003 New South Wales men aged 45 years or more enrolled in the population‐based 45 and Up Study in whom prostate cancer was first diagnosed during 2006–2013. Main outcome measures: Prostate cancer treatment type received; factors statistically associated with treatment received; proportions of patients who consulted radiation oncologists prior to treatment. Results: In total, 1619 of 4003 patients underwent radical prostatectomy (40%), 893 external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) (22%), 183 brachytherapy (5%), 87 chemotherapy (2%), 373 androgen deprivation therapy alone (9%), and 848 no active treatment (21%). 205 of 1628 patients who had radical prostatectomies (13%) had radiation oncology consultations prior to surgery. Radical prostatectomy was more likely for patients aged 45–59 years, with regional stage disease, living 100 km or more from the nearest radiotherapy centre, having partners, or having private health insurance, while lower physical functioning, obesity, and living in areas of greater socio‐economic disadvantage reduced the likelihood. EBRT was more likely for patients aged 70–79 years, with non‐localised or unknown stage disease, living less than 100 km from the nearest radiotherapy centre, or not having private health insurance, while the likelihood was lower for patients aged 45–59 years or more than 80 years and for those who had several comorbid conditions. Conclusions: Men with prostate cancer were twice as likely to have radical prostatectomy as to receive EBRT, and fewer than one in seven had consulted radiation oncologists prior to prostatectomy. The treatment received was influenced by several socio‐demographic factors. Given the treatment‐specific side effects and costs, policies that affect access to different treatments for prostate cancer should be reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is highly prevalent worldwide and may have a role, with sun exposure, in causing cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Little is known about the relationship of UV exposure and seroprevalence of cutaneous HPVs in the general population. Methods: Using multiplex serology, we estimated the seroprevalence of 23 beta and 7 gamma HPVs and 7 other antigens (mu HPV1, HPV63, nu HPV41, alpha HPV16; polyomaviruses HPyV7 and MCV; p53) in a population-based sample of 1,161 Australian 45 and Up Study participants with valid data from blood specimens collected from 2010 to 2012. We calculated prevalence ratios (PR) for the association of each antigen with residential ambient solar UV and other UV-related variables. Results: Seropositivity for at least one beta or gamma HPV was high at 88% (beta HPVs 74%, gamma HPVs 70%), and less in women than men [e.g., PR beta-2 HPV38 = 0.70; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.56-0.87; any gamma = 0.90; 95% CI, 0.84-0.97]. A high ambient UV level in the 10 years before study enrollment was associated with elevated seroprevalence for genus beta (PRtertile3vs1 any beta = 1.17; 95% CI, 1.07-1.28), and beta-1 to beta-3 species, but not for gamma HPVs. Other UV-related measures had less or no evidence of an association. Conclusions: Seroprevalence of cutaneous beta HPVs is higher with higher ambient UV exposure in the past 10 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Systemic therapies for lung cancer are rapidly evolving. This study aimed to describe lung cancer treatment patterns in New South Wales, Australia, prior to the introduction of immunotherapy and latest-generation targeted therapies., Methods: Systemic therapy utilization and treatment-related factors were examined for participants in the New South Wales 45 and Up Study with incident lung cancer ascertained by record linkage to the New South Wales Cancer Registry (2006-2013). Systemic therapy receipt to June 2016 was determined using medical and pharmaceutical claims data from Services Australia, and in-patient hospital records. Factors related to treatment were identified using competing risks regressions., Results: A total of 1,116 lung cancer cases were identified with a mean age at diagnosis of 72 years and median survival of 10.6 months. Systemic therapy was received by 45% of cases. Among 400 cases with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, 51% and 28% received first- and second-line systemic therapy, respectively. Among 112 diagnosed with small-cell lung cancer, 79% and 29% received first- and second-line systemic therapy. The incidence of systemic therapy was lower for participants with indicators of poor performance status, lower educational attainment, and those who lived in areas of socioeconomic disadvantage; and was higher for participants with small-cell lung cancer histology or higher body mass index., Conclusion: This population-based Australian study identified patterns of systemic therapy use for lung cancer, particularly small-cell lung cancer. Despite a universal healthcare system, the analysis revealed socioeconomic disparities in health service utilization and relatively low utilization of systemic therapy overall., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)