Cancer prevention

The primary purpose of the WA Cancer Prevention Research Unit (WACPRU) is to build the evidence base relating to cancer prevention through improvements in lifestyle behaviours that are known to be associated with cancer risk.

The primary purpose of WACPRU is to build the evidence base relating to cancer prevention.
WACPRU focuses on lifestyle behaviours to prevent cancer risk.

Alcohol

Alcohol consumption is cited as a causal factor in over 200 disease and injury outcomes, both chronic and acute, yet worldwide per capita consumption is increasing. WACPRU collaborates with researchers from various national and international institutions to increase awareness of the risks and minimise the harms associated with alcohol consumption in the general population. Recent successes include Healthway funding granted to Simone Pettigrew and Michelle Jongenelis to assess individuals’ engagement in responsible drinking practices.

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Professor Simone Pettigrew

Professor Pettigrew’s work primarily focuses on changing lifestyle behaviours and environments to improve health outcomes in the areas of nutrition, physical activity, alcohol consumption, smoking cessation, and sun exposure.

Dr Michelle Jongenelis

Dr Jongenelis’ research focus is in the area of mental and physical health promotion with specific issues of interest including alcohol consumption, tobacco and e-cigarette use, and ageing.


Nutrition

The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity is a major global health challenge. Poor diet and nutrition have been highlighted as key modifiable factors that play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of obesity.

Poor diet and nutrition play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of obesity.
Poor diet and nutrition play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of obesity.

WACPRU is currently collaborating with researchers nationally and internationally to assess the effectiveness of Australia’s new front-of-pack labelling system – the Health Star Rating. WACPRU also conducts research examining the diets of specific groups within the population that require special attention such as children and older adults.


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Dr Zenobia Talati

Dr Zenobia Talati’s research examines how consumers process the many pieces of nutrition information provided on food packages and how changing the way this information is displayed can lead to healthier food choices.

Ms Gael Myers

Ms Myers is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and researcher working in the area of public health. Her research focuses on the nutrition attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours of children and older adults.

Professor Simone Pettigrew

Professor  Pettigrew’s work primarily focuses on changing lifestyle behaviours and environments to improve health outcomes in the areas of nutrition, physical activity, alcohol consumption, smoking cessation, and sun exposure.

Dr Michelle Jongenelis

Dr Jongenelis’ research focus is in the area of mental and physical health promotion with specific issues of interest including alcohol consumption, tobacco and e-cigarette use, and ageing.


Tobacco

Tobacco smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable illness and premature death globally. While tobacco control efforts have been successful at reducing the prevalence of smoking rates, further interventions are required to ensure continued progress in this space. WACPRU works closely with the Make Smoking History team at Cancer Council WA to ensure their mass media campaigns are effective at encouraging smokers to quit. WACPRU also collaborates with researchers from other institutions, both in WA and nationally, to assess attitudes towards the emerging phenomenon of electronic cigarettes. Simone Pettigrew currently holds a Healthway grant to investigate options for the development of smoking cessation programs to assist disadvantaged smokers.

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Dr Michelle Jongenelis

Dr Jongenelis’ research focus is in the area of mental and physical health promotion with specific issues of interest including alcohol consumption, tobacco and e-cigarette use, and ageing.

Dr Natalia Lizama

Dr Lizama’s research focuses on the evaluation of anti-smoking media campaigns and ways to reduce smoking prevalence and uptake in the community.

Professor Simone Pettigrew

Professor Pettigrew’s work primarily focuses on changing lifestyle behaviours and environments to improve health outcomes in the areas of nutrition, physical activity, alcohol consumption, smoking cessation, and sun exposure.

Ms Ashleigh Parnell

Ms Parnell’s research interests are in reducing smoking rates among disadvantaged populations and increasing sun protective behaviours among school-aged children.

Ms Rajni Rai

Ms Rai’s research focuses on the promotion of healthy ageing.


Sun exposure

The incidence of skin cancer is especially high in Australia due to the high levels of ultraviolet radiation that characterise the Australian environment. WACPRU works closely with the SunSmart team at Cancer Council WA to identify and explore opportunities to encourage individuals to minimise their risk of skin cancer by adopting effective sun protection behaviours.

WACPRU encourages effective sun protection behaviours.
WACPRU encourages effective sun protection behaviours.

A Healthway grant has been awarded to Simone Pettigrew to assess the potential for UV meters to increase engagement in sun protection behaviours in high school students.

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Professor Simone Pettigrew

Professor Pettigrew’s work primarily focuses on changing lifestyle behaviours and environments to improve health outcomes in the areas of nutrition, physical activity, alcohol consumption, smoking cessation, and sun exposure.

Ms Ashleigh Parnell

Ms Parnell’s research interests are in reducing smoking rates among disadvantaged populations and increasing sun protective behaviours among school-aged children.

Dr Michelle Jongenelis

Dr Jongenelis’ research focus is in the area of mental and physical health promotion with specific issues of interest including alcohol consumption, tobacco and e-cigarette use, and ageing.