Worldwide, incidence rates of skin cancer are increasing alarmingly in populations of predominantly Caucasian origin. A prospective population‐based survey, set up to collect epidemiological information on all excised and histologically confirmed skin cancers, started in Townsville, Australia (population of 127,000) in December 1996. Data on the anatomical distribution of skin cancer has been collected using a detailed body map. Estimations of type‐specific and site‐specific incidence rates were age‐standardized according to world standard population. Site‐specific incidence rates were adjusted for surface proportion of the body site and are given per 100,000 body units. Between December 1996 and December 1997, a total of 3,536 patients with 5,945 histologically confirmed skin cancer lesions were recorded. Age‐standardized incidence rates of basal cell carcinoma were 2,058.3 for men and 1,194.5 for women, 1,332.3 for men and 754.8 for women for squamous cell carcinoma, and 49.1 for men and 41.7 for women for cutaneous melanoma (CM). Site‐specific incidence rates of non‐melanocytic skin cancer were extreme on sun‐exposed areas of the face, whereas site‐specific incidence rates of CM were highest for neck, posterior trunk and face. Less exposed body sites, such as unexposed upper limbs or thighs, showed reduced incidence rates for all types of skin cancer. Tropical North Queensland has the world's highest incidence rates of skin cancer of all types. Site‐specific incidence rates demonstrate that highly sun‐exposed body sites are at high risk of developing skin cancer and provide, therefore, strong indirect evidence for the causal relationship between sun exposure and skin cancer. Int. J. Cancer 78:587–593, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

The study found a higher rate of superficial BCC than previous studies from less sun-exposed countries, and a more equal distribution of superficial BCC on face, trunk and limbs. These results seem to blur the difference between intermittent and continuous sun exposure as the causative environmental agents. The clinical implications of 'high risk' BCC rates are discussed.

In this prospective study, advanced tumour stage, distal site, and need for postoperative blood transfusion were associated with increased rates of anastomotic leakage. In addition to their high risk of immediate postoperative morbidity and mortality, both localized and generalized leaks had similarly negative impacts on overall, cancer-related, and disease-free survival.

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Objective: To determine the incidence of and risk factors for surgical site infections in general practice. Design: Prospective, observational study of patients presenting for minor excisions. Setting: Primary care in a regional centre, Queensland, October 2004 to May 2005. Participants: 857 patients were assessed for infection. Results: The overall incidence of infection was 8.6% (95% CI, 3.5%–13.8%). Excisions from lower legs and feet (P = 0.009) or thighs (P = 0.005), excisions of basal cell carcinoma (P = 0.006) or squamous cell carcinoma (P = 0.002), and diabetes (P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for wound infection. Conclusion: Our results indicate the high‐risk groups for surgery in a general practice setting, such as people with diabetes and those undergoing excision of a non‐melanocytic skin cancer or excision from a lower limb. Recognition of these groups could encourage more judicial use of prophylactic antibiotics and use of other interventions aimed at reducing infection rates.

Background Anecdotal reports suggest that head lice infestations are a common problem in school‐aged children in Australia; however, only a few data are available. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of infestation with head lice in children in an urban Australian school. Methods All 735 pupils from grades preschool to five of a government run primary school were invited to participate in the cross‐sectional survey. Overall, 212 boys (46.5%) and 244 girls from 29 classes were examined. The main outcome measures were:1the detection of lice or eggs by visual examination of the child’s head, and classification into “not infested” and “infested;” infested cases were further classified into “active infestation” (lice or viable eggs found) or “inactive infestation” (only unhatched eggs found);2for each child, a parent or guardian was asked to complete a standardized questionnaire. Results Of the 456 children examined, 33.7% (95% confidence interval = 95%‐CI =[26.9%, 40.4%]) had evidence of infestation with head lice, 21.0% (95%‐CI = [15.2%, 26.8%]) with active infestation. The prevalence of infestation (active plus inactive) varied greatly between classes, ranging from zero to 72.2% (p < 0.001). Head lice were more prevalent in girls than boys (p < 0.001). Analysis of questionnaires showed that 47.7% (95%‐CI = [43.0%, 52.4%]) of the children had been infested with head lice in the previous 6 months. For children with active pediculosis capitis on examination, 14.0% (95%‐CI = [7.9%, 22.4%]) of parents or guardians had not noticed the infestation. Conclusions In an urban primary school in Australia, head lice infestation was present at a hyperendemic level. Clustering by class indicated the classroom as a main source of infestation. Control strategies implemented in schools and including the education of teachers and parents need to be evaluated.