Lifepool

Through lifepool researchers have been able to explore how population-wide genetic testing for breast and ovarian cancer risk genes could benefit the Australian community. This work is helping to better understand which genes may increase a person’s risk of developing breast cancer. 

Lifepool is also being used to study how breast density affects cancer risk and to improve tools for detecting cancer earlier and more accurately. 

Lifepool has supported numerous projects, which has led to important discoveries, including: 

• New insights into the biology of breast cancer and the role of specific gene mutations. 

• A better understanding of how people perceive their risk of breast cancer and how they respond to receiving genetic test results. 

• Research into the cost-effectiveness of different approaches to breast cancer screening and treatment. 

Together, these findings are helping to shape the future of breast cancer prevention, detection, and care. 

Lifepool had contributed to a substantial body of research across various disciples. These are a few selected studies to highlight its application and impact. A full list of publications is available upon request.  

1. Investigation of the monogenic causes of familial breast cancer: Data from the BEACCON case-control study, Li et al (NPJ Breast Cancer 2021)  
2. Molecular comparison of interval and screen-detected breast cancers Cheasley D et al and Campbell I (Journal of Pathology 2019) 
3. Comparison of mammographic breast density of women from China with women from Australia using percentage density: a comparative study, Liet T et al and Brennan P (The Lancet, 2019) 
4. Prospective validation of the NCI Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool (Gail Model) on 40,000 Australian women, Nickson C et al and Campbell I (Breast Cancer Research 2018)  
5. The financial impact of a breast cancer diagnosis:  Lessons from the Australian Lifepool cohort Saxby K et al and Petrie D (Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health 2020)  
6. The Clinical and Psychosocial Outcomes for Women Who Received Unexpected Clinically Actionable Germline Information Identified through Research: An Exploratory Sequential Mixed Methods Comparative Study, Forrest L, et al and Young M (Journal of Personalized Medicine 2022) 
7. Risky alcohol consumption among a representative sample of breast screening service consumers in Australia according to new national alcohol guidelines, Grigg J et al and Lubman D (Addiction 2023) 
8. Predicting cardiovascular events from routine mammograms using machine learning, Barraclough J et al and Arnott C (Heart 2025)  
9. Cohort Profile: Lifepool, Devereux L et al and Campbell I (International Journal of Epidemiology 2025)  

Professor Ian Campbell, PhD.
Head - Cancer Genetics Laboratory, Principal Investigator - Lifepool, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation.