Glossary

1

10-year trend

The 10-year trend relates to an average change in rates based on the most recent ten years of data. It is calculated for each cancer type by fitting a linear regression model assuming a constant rate of change in the logarithm of the annual age-standardised rate and is usually reported as an increase, decrease or no change based on the statistical significance of the change.

A

Abnormal

To deviate from what is normal or usual, usually in a way that is undesirable or worrying.

Adenocarcinoma

An uncommon form of cervical cancer arising from the glandular cells of the endocervical canal.

Adrenal cancer

Cancer that forms in the adrenal glands (two glands located above the kidneys). The adrenal glands make hormones that control heart rate, blood pressure, and other important body functions. Adrenal cancer that starts in the outside layer of the adrenal gland is called adrenocortical carcinoma. Adrenal cancer that starts in the centre of the adrenal gland is called pheochromocytoma.

Age-specific rate

An age-specific rate of cancer is the rate of cancer in an age group. This is calculated as the number of cases diagnosed for the age group divided by the population of the age group, and is usually expressed per 100,000 people by 5-year age groups.

Age-standardised rate

An age-standardised rate of cancer is the rate of cancer in a given population that has been standardised to a reference population with a standard age distribution. The standardised rate is that which, theoretically, would have been observed if the population of interest had the standard age distribution. The Australian 2001 population is used as the standard population in Cancer Institute NSW reporting. This rate is usually expressed per 100,000 people.

Astrocytoma

A tumour that begins in the brain or spinal cord in small, star-shaped cells called astrocytes.

Atypia

Slight abnormalities or changes in cells. For example: Slight changes in the cells of the cervix.

B

Basal cell carcinoma

Cancer that begins in the lower part of the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin). It is the most common form of skin cancer.

Benign Tumour

A benign tumour is not cancer. The cells in the benign tumour can divide and grow but they do not spread into surrounding tissues or other parts of the body.

Biennial period

Biennial period is the two year reporting period for BreastScreen NSW and NSW Cervical Screening Program. Women are recommended to screen every two years.

Biological Therapies

Therapies that work alone or with a patient's immune system to kill cancer cells or stop them growing or dividing.

Biopsy

A procedure that takes a small piece of tissue from part of the body to check if it has cancer cells.

This sample is sent to a pathologist who checks it under a microscope to look for cancer cells or other abnormalities.

Biopsy of the cervix

Removal of a small piece of the cervix for examination under a microscope. May be recommended to further examine evidence of high-grade cell changes.

Brachytherapy

A type of radiotherapy where radioactive seeds are placed in or near tumours to kill or damage cancer cells and stop them growing.

Breast screening

BreastScreen NSW aims to help women aged 50–74 detect breast cancer early by providing free screening mammograms to women at over 200 screening sites across NSW.

Women aged 50–74 are encouraged to have a screening mammogram every two years.

BreastScreen NSW

BreastScreen NSW provides a two-yearly mammographic screening service to women in NSW, and specifically targets those in the 50-74 year age group.

BreastScreen NSW is part of a national program, BreastScreen Australia, which is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and state and territory governments.

This government funded service aims to detect breast cancer early before it has a chance to spread. Early detection of cancer increases the treatment options available and improves the chance of survival from the disease.

The BreastScreen NSW Coordination Unit is managed by Cancer Institute NSW. The program is delivered by nine Screening and Assessment Services, which are located and managed within Local Health Districts.

Burden of disease

This measures the impact of disease on a population and is based on the years of healthy life lost through either premature death or through living with ill health.

C

Cancer clinical trials

Cancer clinical trials are studies whereby trial participants have a diagnosis of cancer and volunteer to test a new treatment. This may include a drug, device, surgical method, radiation therapy, exercise or changes participants behaviour for example diet. 

Clinical trials compare a new treatment to: a standard one that is already available; a placebo; a different dose; or to other comparators.

Cancer Council region

Cancer Council regions are based on regions defined by the Cancer Council NSW. Currently, there are six Cancer Council regions covering Sydney metropolitan region, rural and regional NSW. The mapping table of local government area to Cancer Council region used is displayed below.

 

Cancer Council region	Local government area 2006
Greater Western Sydney	Auburn, Bankstown, Baulkham Hills, Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Camden, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Holroyd, Liverpool, Parramatta, Penrith, Wollondilly
Hunter Central Coast	Cessnock, Dungog, Gosford, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Singleton, Upper Hunter Shire, Wyong
Metro Sydney	Ashfield, Botany Bay, Burwood, Canada Bay, Canterbury, Hornsby, Hunter's Hill, Hurstville, Kogarah, Ku-ring-gai, Lane Cove, Leichhardt, Manly, Marrickville, Mosman, North Sydney, Pittwater, Randwick, Rockdale, Ryde, Strathfield, Sutherland Shire, Sydney, Warringah, Waverley, Willoughby, Woollahra
Northern NSW	Armidale Dumaresq, Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Glen Innes Severn, Gloucester, Great Lakes, Greater Taree, Gunnedah, Guyra, Gwydir, Hastings, Inverell, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Liverpool Plains, Moree Plains, Nambucca, Narrabri, Richmond Valley, Tamworth Regional, Tenterfield, Tweed, Uralla, Walcha
Southern NSW	Bega Valley, Bombala, Cooma-Monaro, Eurobodalla, Goulburn Mulwaree, Kiama, Palerang, Queanbeyan, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Snowy River, Upper Lachlan, Wingecarribee, Wollongong, Yass Valley
Western NSW	Albury, Balranald, Bathurst Regional, Berrigan, Bland, Blayney, Bogan, Boorowa, Bourke, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Cabonne, Carrathool, Central Darling, Cobar, Conargo, Coolamon, Coonamble, Cootamundra, Corowa Shire, Cowra, Deniliquin, Dubbo, Forbes, Gilgandra, Greater Hume Shire, Griffith, Gundagai, Harden, Hay, Jerilderie, Junee, Lachlan, Leeton, Lithgow, Lockhart, Mid-Western Regional, Murray, Murrumbidgee, Narrandera, Narromine, Oberon, Orange, Parkes, Temora, Tumbarumba, Tumut Shire, Urana, Wagga Wagga, Wakool, Walgett, Warren, Warrumbungle Shire, Weddin, Wellington, Wentworth, Young, Unincorporated NSW

Cancer incidence

The number of new cases of cancer diagnosed in a given population during a specified period.

Cancer mortality

Cancer mortality refers to the number of deaths from cancer in a given population during a specified period.

Cancer risk factors

Risk factors refer to any factor associated with an increased likelihood of a person developing a health disorder or condition, such as cancer. Some cancer risk factors are associated with genetics (such as age and ethnicity) while others are modifiable lifestyle risk factors, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, exercise and UV exposure.

Cancer type

Cancer type is a grouping of cancers based on ICD‐O‐3 topography and morphology codes that are similar to ICD‐10 classifications but follow earlier ICD‐9 coding used in incidence and mortality reporting by the Cancer Institute NSW from 1995. These reporting categories have been used to ensure continuity of trends.

Cancer type	ICD‐O‐3 topography and/or morphology code
Bladder	C67
Brain	C71
Breast	C50
Cancer unknown primary	C26, C39, C48, C76, C80
Cervical	C53
Colon	C18
Gallbladder	C23, C24
Head and neck	C01‐C14, C30‐C32
Kidney	C64‐C66, C68
Leukaemia	M980‐M994, M9963
Lip	C00
Liver	C22
Lung	C33, C34
Melanoma of the skin	C44 and M872‐M879
Mesothelioma	M905
Multiple myeloma	M973
Myelodysplasia	M998
Non‐Hodgkin’s lymphoma	M959, M967‐M972, M976
Oesophageal	C15
Ovarian	C56, C57.0‐C57.7
Pancreatic	C25
Prostate	C61
Rectal	C19‐C21
Stomach	C16
Testicular	C62
Thyroid	C73
Uterine	C54, C55
All other	All other

Carcinogen

Any substance that causes cancer.

Carcinoid tumour

A slow-growing type of tumour usually found in the gastrointestinal system (most often in the small intestine and rectum), and sometimes in the lungs or other sites.

Cases

These are individual cancers. A person may have more than one cancer, giving rise to multiple cases in the same person.
Second cases in one person are only counted if they are of different cell type or originate in a different organ.

Cervarix

One of two cervical cancer (or HPV) vaccines listed on the National Immunisation Program.

Cervical cancer

A disease where normal cells in the cervix change and multiply to form a growth or tumour.

Cervical screening

Cervical screening looks for Human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that can cause cells to change. If HPV is detected, the screening test looks for changes to the cells, which if left untreated could lead to cervical cancer. Find out more about what happens at a cervical screen

Cervix

The lower part (or ‘neck’) of the uterus (womb) located at the top of the vagina.

Chemotherapy

A type of treatment that uses drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells

Chondrosarcoma

A type of cancer that forms in cartilage. This is the smooth tough covering on the ends of bones.

CITTS

The Cancer Institute Tobacco Tracking Survey (CITTS) has been undertaken since 2005 to evaluate the effectiveness of various anti-tobacco campaigns and to monitor smoking and quitting-related cognitions and behaviours among smokers (and recent quitters) in NSW.

The CITTS is a cross-sectional continuous tracking survey of adult smokers and recent quitters (quit in the last 12 months) that is conducted for up to 50 weeks a year. Currently, 40 smokers or recent quitters recruited using a dual frame (mobile and landline) sampling frame are interviewed each week throughout the year.

Clinical cancer group

Clinical cancer groups are a grouping of cancers based on treatment categories. These groupings were developed with advice from Professor Jim Bishop and endorsed by the Australasian Association of Cancer Registries (AACR) in December 2004. Clinical groupings are derived from the defined reporting categories (‘cancer type’).

Clinical cancer group	Cancer type (ICD‐O‐3 codes)
Bone and connective tissue	Bone (C40,C41) Connective tissue, peripheral nerves (C47, C49)
Bowel	Colon (C18) Rectal (C19‐C21)
Breast	Breast (C50)
Cancer unknown primary	Other and  Ill‐defined digestive organs (C26) Other and  Ill‐defined sites in the respiratory system and intrathoracic organs (C39) Retroperitoneum and peritoneum (C48) Other and  Ill‐defined sites (C76) Unknown primary site (C80)
Eye	Eye (C69)
Gynaecological	Cervical (C53) Uterine (C54, C55) Ovarian (C56, C57.0‐C57.7) Placental (C58) Other female genital (C51, C52, C57.8‐C57.9)
Head and neck	Tongue (C01, C02) Mouth (C03‐C06) Salivary gland (C07, C08) Oropharyngeal (C09, C10) Nasopharyngeal (C11) Hypopharyngeal (C12, C13) Other oral cavity and pharyngeal (C14) Nose, sinuses, etc. (C30, C31) Laryngeal (C32)
Lymphohaematopoietic	Hodgkin’s disease (M965‐M966) Non‐Hodgkin’s lymphoma (M959, M967‐M972, M976) Multiple myeloma (M973) Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (M9821) Other lymphoid leukaemia (M9820, M9822‐M9827, M994) Acute myeloid leukaemia (M9861) Other myeloid leukaemia (M9860, M9862‐8, M987‐M988, M9930, M9987) Other specified leukaemia (M984, M985, M989‐M993) Unspecified leukaemia (M980) Myelodysplasia (M998) Other lymphoid haematopoietic (C42,C77 and M974, M975, M995‐M997 (excl. M9963))
Neurological	Brain (C71) Central nervous system (C72)
Respiratory	Lung (C33, C34) Other thoracic (C37, C38) Mesothelioma (M905)
Skin	Lip (C00) Melanoma of the skin (C44 and M872‐M879) Kaposi's sarcoma (M914)
Thyroid and other endocrine	Thyroid (C73) Other endocrine glands (C74, C75)
Upper gastrointestinal	Oesophageal (C15) Stomach (C16) Small intestinal (C17) Liver (C22) Gallbladder (C23, C24) Pancreatic (C25)
Urogenital	Prostate (C61) Testicular (C62) Other male genital  (C60, C63) Kidney (C64‐C66, C68) Bladder (C67)

Cochrane review

These reviews explore the evidence for and against the effectiveness and appropriateness of different treatments in specific circumstances. 

They are systematic reviews of primary research in human health care and health policy, and are internationally recognized as the highest standard in evidence-based health care. 

The information here is sourced from the Cochrane Australia website, there you can find more details about what a systematic review is. 

The Cochrane Library is an online resource containing a regularly updated collection of over 6,000 Cochrane reviews. Each review features a Plain Language Summary, with the aim of making the information accessible to everyone. 

Cochrane is described as:

' a global independent network of researchers, professionals, patients, carers, and people interested in health.

The Cochrane contributors - 37,000 from more than 130 countries - work together to produce credible, accessible health information that is free from commercial sponsorship and other conflicts of interest.'

Colonoscopy

A fine tube with a light and camera on the end is passed through the rectum to look at the inner lining of the large intestine.

Colposcopy

The examination of the cervix and vagina with a magnifying instrument called a colposcope, to check abnormalities detected in a Pap test.

Confidence interval

Confidence intervals (CI) are a range of values for a rate that has a specific probability of including the true value of the rate. For example, a 95% confidence interval would include the true value of the rate 95% of the time. Generally, 90%, 95% or 99% confidence intervals are used and displayed in terms of lower and upper bounds.

Crude rate

The crude rate is the rate of cancer in a population that has not been standardised, and is calculated by dividing the number of cases, by the study population of interest. Crude rates do not take into account the different age structure of the population and the increase of cancer with age. Crude rates are inappropriate for comparison between genders, across time or between other classification groups.

D

Diathermy

The use of heat applied electrically to destroy abnormal cells or to stop bleeding.

E

Endocervical

Inside the canal of the cervix.

Expected cases

The expected number of cases is computed by multiplying each age-specific rate from the reference population, by the observed number of cases in each age group of the study population, and taking the sum of these values. See standardised incidence ratio for details on the use of this measure.

Expected deaths

The expected number of deaths is computed by multiplying each age-specific rate from the reference population, by the observed number of deaths in each age group of the study population, and taking the sum of these values. See standardised mortality ratio for details on the use of this measure.

Extent of disease

Extent of disease at diagnosis is determined by the degree of spread of cancer that occurs within four months from the date of cancer diagnosis.

Extent	Definition
Localised	Localised to the tissue of origin
Regional	Spread to an adjacent organ, muscle, connective tissue, fat, serosa or regional lymph node*
Distant	Spread to another place in the body (metastatic)
Unknown	Unknown

*regional lymph nodes are the single or grouped lymph nodes that are the “first” to drain the site of a primary tumour.

G

Gardasil

One of two cervical cancer (or HPV) vaccines listed on the National Immunisation Program.

Gender

Male or female

Glandular cells

Apart from their appearance, glandular cells are also different from squamous cells as they can secrete. They make mucus which helps protect the entrance to the uterus.

Glandular lesion

Abnormality involving the glandular cells of the cervix.

Gynaecological cancers

Cancer that starts in any part of the female reproductive system. This includes the vagina, uterus, ovaries, cervix, vulva, endometrium or fallopian.

Gynaecological oncologist

Gynaecologist who has had special training and certification in caring for women with gynaecological cancers.

Gynaecologist

A specialist in women's reproductive health.

H

High-grade result

Abnormal Pap test result that indicates probability of a persistent HPV infection that may develop into cancer if not treated.

High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL)

More serious changes that required further investigation and sometimes treatment.

HPV

There are over 100 types of HPV, which affect different parts of the body. In most people, HPV clears up naturally within one or two years. In rare cases, certain types of genital HPV can cause cervical cancer or other cancers.

Find out more about the HPV vaccine and cervical screening.

HPV vaccine

The human papillomavirus (HPV vaccine),also known as the cervical cancer vaccine, protects against the two types of high-risk HPV (types 16 and 18) that are found in 70 to 80 per cent of Australian women diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Hypofractionated radiotherapy

External beam radiotherapy, using a smaller number of doses, each providing a higher amount of radiation than standard external beam radiotherapy. This means that people need less visits to complete their course of radiotherapy.

I

Intraepithelial

within the layer of cells that form the surface or lining of a part of the body.

Intraepithelial lesion

Abnormality confined to the surface layer of the cervix.

L

Local government area

The local government area is based on either the Australian Standard Geographical Classification or the Australian Statistical Geography Standard, issued by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Local government area (LGA) is determined from:

• residence at diagnosis in cancer incidence and mortality data (using ASGC 2006 definition), and
• residence at screening in screening data (using ASGS 2011 definition)

For more information, please refer to the ABS website:

LGA 2006: http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/allprimarymainfeatures/BD1B52D132D130E7CA2573630012F67B?opendocument

LGA 2011: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/77214EF6765D0541CA2578D40012CF2E

 

Local health district

The local health district is a NSW Health division of the state public services, as at July 2011. Eight local health districts cover the Sydney metropolitan region, and seven cover rural and regional NSW.

Local health district (LHD) is determined from:

• residence at diagnosis in cancer incidence and mortality data,
• residence at screening in screening data

For more information, please refer to the NSW Health website: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/lhd/pages/default.aspx

 

Low-grade result

Pap test result that shows early changes to the cells of the cervix, possibly indicating an HPV infection.

Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL)

Minor abnormalities that normally go away within one year.

M

Malignant tumour

A cancerous tumour that can invade and destroy nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.

Mammogram

A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast. A screening mammogram is used to check for breast cancer in women who have no signs or symptoms.

Mastectomy

A mastectomy is surgery to remove the whole breast. In some cases, this is necessary because of the size of the cancer, or its position in the breast.

Melanocyte

Skin cells that produce melanin, found in the lower part of the epidermis. These are the cells where the most serious type of skin cancer melanoma occurs.
Find out more about skin cancer, melanoma and how to reduce your risk of skin cancer.

Melanoma

A form of skin cancer that begins in cells called melanocytes.
Melanoma may begin in a mole on the skin, but can begin in other pigmented tissues.
It is by far the most serious and dangerous type of skin cancer, because it can spread easily to other organs in the body.

Find out more about melanoma and UV radiation.

Metastasis

The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another. A tumour formed by cells that have spread is called a 'metastatic tumour', 'metastasis' or 'secondary cancer'.
The metastatic tumour contains cells that are like those in the original (primary) tumour. The plural form of metastasis is metastases.

Multidisciplinary team

A multidisciplinary team (MDT) is a team of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals. MDTs are also referred to as Multidisciplinary Cancer Care Teams.

Teams meet regularly to plan treatment for people with newly diagnosed cancer . They review the treatment plans of current patients during or after treatment. 

Multidisciplinary teams improve the communication, decision making and coordination necessary for cancer care.

The members of a multidisciplinary team vary depending on the type of cancer being discussed. Generally the team will consist of:

• specialist surgeon
• medical oncologist 
• radiation oncologist
• pathologist 
• MDT coordinator
• specialist nurse or care coordinator 
• clinical trials coordinator.

Allied health professional attending might include dieticians, speech pathologists, social workers or psychologists.
For patients - why a multidisciplinary team is important for your cancer treatment.

N

Number of women screened

This is the number of women living in NSW in the target age group in the specified period, who were screened by:

• BreastScreen NSW
• any screening provider in the NSW Cervical Screening Program

O

Oncologist

A specialist in the study, management and treatment of cancer (oncology).

P

Palliative care

Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the challenges associated with life-limiting illness. This involves early identification, assessment and treatment of physical symptoms as well as helping with emotional, spiritual and social needs.

Pap test

In Australia, the Cervical Screening Test replaced the Pap test as the method of screening for changes that can lead to cervical cancer.

Pap Test Register

The NSW Pap Test Register securely holds the records of women’s Pap tests and any follow-up test results. A new National Cancer Screening Register will be established as a national, secure and confidential database of screening records, and it will assume the functions of the NSW Pap Test Register. 

Participation rate

Participation rate is the proportion of people living in NSW in the screening target age group.

Passive smoking

Second-hand smoke is the smoke exhaled by a smoker and also burning from the end of a cigarette (or cigar). When someone else breathes in this smoke, it is known as passive smoking.

Passive smoking often happens against an individual’s will, and is the result of being nearby someone else who is smoking.

What are the effects of passive smoking?

Most people are aware second-hand smoke is not healthy for them, but how damaging is it?

The affects on non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke include:

• Increased risk of lung cancer
• Increased risk of coronary heart disease.

Non-smokers who live with the second-hand smoke of a smoker increase their risk of lung cancer by between 20 and 30 per cent.

Why is passive smoking so dangerous?

There is no known safe level of exposure to passive smoking.

For a non-smoker, as well as for a smoker, breathing in second-hand tobacco smoke carries significant health risks.

Why are the risks of passive smoking so high, given a non-smoker doesn't breathe in anywhere near as much tobacco smoke as a smoker?

For starters, any amount of cigarette smoke is bad for you and increases your risk of cancer.

On top of that, evidence shows smoke burning off the end of a cigarette (called sidestream smoke) may be more toxic than the mainstream smoke a smoker would inhale.

Second-hand tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals and 69 are known to cause cancer.

Portfolio trials

Portfolio trials are investigator-initiated clinical trials which meet the Cancer Institute NSW portfolio criteria and are eligible for funding.

Primary health network

The primary health network as defined by NSW Health, in July 2015. Ten primary health networks cover the Sydney metropolitan region, rural and regional NSW.

Primary health network (PHN) is determined from:

• residence at diagnosis in cancer incidence and mortality data, and
• residence at screening in screening data

For more information, please refer to the NSW Health website: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/primary_Health_Networks

Projected incidence

Projected incidence refers to the estimate or predictions of future incidence. They are not precise predictions of the future.

Projected mortality

Projected mortality refers to the estimate or prediction of future mortality. They are not precise predictions of the future.

Q

Quintile

Any of five equal groups into which a population can be divided according to the distribution of values of a particular variable.

R

Radiation Oncologist

A doctor who specialises in treating cancer using radiotherapy.

Radiologist

A doctor who uses medical imaging such as x-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), ultrasound and nuclear medicine. These are used to diagnose and treat cancers and other diseases.

Radiotherapy

The use of radiation to kill or damage cancer cells and stop them from growing and multiplying.

Reconstructive surgery

Breast reconstruction can be done at the same time as mastectomy, called ‘immediate reconstruction’ in some but not all women. Alternatively, it can be done as a separate surgery later on, called ‘delayed reconstruction’.

Region of birth

Region of birth groupings are based on the major and minor groupings of the Standard Australian Classification of Countries (SACC 2nd edition), issued by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

For more information on the countries of birth that form the major and minor groups detailed below, please refer to the ABS website: http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/1269.02011?OpenDocument 

 

Region of birth	Major group	Minor group
Australia (includes external territories)	Oceania and Antarctica	Australia (includes external territories)
New Zealand	Oceania and Antarctica	New Zealand
UK and Ireland	North-West Europe	United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Ireland
Western Europe	North-West Europe	Western Europe
Northern Europe	North-West Europe	Northern Europe
Eastern Europe	Southern and Eastern Europe	Eastern Europe
South Eastern Europe	Southern and Eastern Europe	South Eastern Europe
Southern Europe	Southern and Eastern Europe	Southern Europe
North-East Asia	North-East Asia
South-East Asia	South-East Asia
Southern and Central Asia	Southern and Central Asia
North Africa and the Middle East	North Africa and the Middle East
Americas	Americas
Sub-Saharan Africa	Sub-Saharan Africa
Other Oceania and Antarctica	Oceania and Antarctica	Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia and Antarctica
Unknown

Remoteness

Remoteness category is based on the ARIA+ methodology developed by the National Key Centre for Social Applications of GIS (GISCA) and utilised by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).. Categories range from ‘Major cities of Australia’ to ‘Remote/very remote Australia’.

Remoteness is determined from:

• residence at diagnosis in cancer incidence and mortality data and
• residence at screening in screening data

For more information on ARIA methodology, please refer to the ABS website: http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/D3310114.nsf/home/remoteness+structure

 

Risk

The cumulative risk is the probability that an individual will be diagnosed with cancer in the absence of any competing causes of death during a certain age range, assuming current trends prevails over the age range.  The cumulative risk is reported as a risk of ‘one in’ n (number of cases).

S

Sentinel lymph node biopsy

Sentinel lymph node biopsy is the removal and examination of the sentinel node(s), the first lymph node(s) to which the breast cancer cells may have spread. This can be done at the time of breast cancer resection.

It indicates whether the cancer may have spread outside the breast and whether lymph nodes from the axilla (armpit) should be removed. Having a sentinel node biopsy can prevent unnecessary surgery in some patients.

Sentinel node

When cancer spreads, the cancer cells may appear first in the sentinel node before spreading to other lymph nodes.

Sexually active

Engages, or has ever engaged, in sexual practices involving skin-to-skin contact, including (but not limited to) vaginal and anal sex.

Socioeconomic position

This categorisation is based on the socioeconomic indexes for areas (SEIFA) of residence at diagnosis, specifically the index of relative socioeconomic disadvantage, developed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This index is used to create quintiles of socioeconomic position with the most disadvantaged allocated ‘Quintile 1’ and the least disadvantaged allocated ‘Quintile 5’.

For more information on SEIFA, please refer to the ABS website: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/2039.0.55.001

Speculum

An instrument used during a Pap test. It looks like a duck bill on handles and is used to hold open the vagina. It may be plastic and disposable or metal and re-useable.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Cells found in the tissue that forms the surface of the skin, the lining of the hollow organs of the body, and the lining of the respiratory and digestive tracts.

Staging

Staging is the process of measuring how far a cancer has spread when it is first diagnosed. It involves having scans and other tests and helps the doctor determine the best treatment options.

It can also help the person diagnosed with cancer better understand their situation and discuss any concerns.
There are different systems for describing the stage of the cancer.

Standardised incidence ratio

The standardised incidence ratio (SIR) is calculated as the ratio of the observed number of cases to the expected number of cases. The observed number of cases refers to the number of cases in the study population of interest. The expected number of cases is computed using age-specific rates from a reference population, weighted according to the age structure of the study population. Confidence intervals are calculated for each SIR and used to determine if there is a significant difference between the reference and study populations. Confidence intervals that do not overlap suggest a distinct difference between the two populations (that would not otherwise be due to chance), while overlapping confidence intervals suggest no distinct difference.

Standardised mortality ratio

The standardised mortality ratio (SMR) is calculated as the ratio of the observed number of deaths to the expected number of deaths. 

The observed number of deaths refers to the number of deaths in the study population of interest. The expected number of deaths is computed using age-specific rates from a reference population, weighted according to the age structure of the study population.

Confidence intervals are calculated for each SMR and used to determine if there is a significant difference between the reference and study populations.

Confidence intervals that do not overlap suggest a distinct difference between the two populations (that would not otherwise be due to chance), while overlapping confidence intervals suggest no distinct difference.

Survival rate

The percentage of people with a particular disease who are alive after a specified period of time. Often quoted in periods of five year cohorts.

T

Tabulated data

Tabulated or aggregate data are summary data, such as the numbers of cases of cancer in NSW or mortality rates for a particular cancer.. Data relating to multiple people are combined and reported as counts for data items. It is not possible to trace the data back to an individual person.

Target age group

The target age group for screening women in NSW is: 50-74 years for BreastScreen NSW and 20-69 years for the NSW Cervical Screening Program.

TARPs

Target Audience Rating Points are measured by Australian Television Audience Measurement (OzTam). A TARP is an estimate of the percentage of a specific target audience viewing a program at the time. The aggregated measure is an estimate of the audience exposure to a campaign. It is often used in campaign evaluations for screening and prevention activites managed by the Cancer Institute NSW.

Transformation zone

The area in the cervix where the squamous cells meet the glandular cells. The transformation zone is in the cervical canal.

Tumour

A new or abnormal growth of tissue on or in the body. A tumour may be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer).

U

Ultraviolet radiation

Ultraviolet radiation, more commonly known as UV or UVR, is radiation generated from the sun and sent into our atmosphere.

While the earth’s ozone layer reflects most of it, and cloud cover can stop it finding the earth’s surface, a certain amount still reaches us.

It’s overexposure to this that can cause damage to skin cells and lead to skin cancer. Particularly in countries like Australia ultraviolet radiation levels can still be high on cool or cloudy days. 

Find more about UV radiation and index levels in Australia.

Unit record data

Unit record data refers to information relating to an individual person, such as name, sex, date of birth, date of cancer diagnosis and cancer type.  Unit record data is available as either identified or de-identified.

Identified unit record data are data that identifies an individual, such as name, registry identification number and Medicare number.  Identified data are primarily used by the registries to verify a person's identity so as to prevent double registrations.

De-identified unit record data are anonymous data about an individual. Any data that identifies an individual, such as name and date of birth, are removed and replaced by a code. Detailed data can be provided without having to identify the individual involved.  It remains possible to re-identify the individual by either using the code or by linking different datasets.        

Release of unit record data from datasets held by the Cancer Institute NSW requires approval.

V

Vagina

The canal extending from the cervix to the outside of the body.