BACKGROUND: The Cancer Council New South Wales’ (NSW) Cancer, Lifestyle and Evaluation of Risk Study (CLEAR) is an ongoing initiative that commenced in 2006. Designed as an all cancer-case-control study, with follow-up potential, it collects lifestyle, demographic and biospecimen information, for release as an open resource for researchers.
METHODS: Participants are recruited from i) hospitals, ii) cancer related databases, and iii) self-referral as a response to widespread promotion. Cases are NSW residents aged 18 years and above, and diagnosed with a first incident cancer within 18 months of enrolment. Controls comprise cancer-free partners of cases, sex matched, post hoc. Study participants complete a questionnaire and provide an optional blood sample, processed and stored at -80°C. Self reported cancer status is verified via annual linkage with the NSW Central Cancer Registry. Future links to other datasets include deaths and hospital admissions.
RESULTS: CLEAR has recruited 8799 participants (6857 cases and 1942 controls: ~20% response rate). , had a Median age of cases and controls is 62 years. The most common cancers were those of the female breast (n=1782), prostate (n=1119), colorectum (n=1268), melanoma (n=609), and lung (n=278). Positive predictive values for self report of each major cancer type are >95%. . As one of several validation steps the risk of lung cancer in current smokers in both men (OR=31.7 95%CI:14.9-67.7) and women (OR=20.9;95%CI:12.0-36.3), after adjusting for age, SES and migrant status; were similar to other contemporary studies from UK and USA.
CONCLUSIONS: CLEAR is a valuable resource for cancer researchers interested in the causes and consequences of a cancer diagnosis. It has the potential to significantly advance our knowledge in the occurrence and outcome of various cancers.