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Health Sciences profile

Associate Professor Brian Cox

PositionResearch Associate Professor
DepartmentDepartment of Preventive and Social Medicine
QualificationsBSc MB ChB PhD DipComH(Otago) FAFPHM
Research summaryEpidemiology of cancer

Research

Director of the Hugh Adam Cancer Epidemiology Unit


  • Colorectal cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Cervical cancer
  • Stomach cancer
  • Melanoma
  • Oral cancer

The Hugh Adam Cancer Epidemiology Unit is funded by bequests to the Director's Cancer Research Trust and the Dean's Bequest Funds.

Research into the causes of cancer is undertaken. Recently we have completed a nationwide study of prostate cancer and currently we are preparing for a national study of bowel cancer. Also, an investigation into the delay in the diagnosis of cancer in Pacific Island men is underway. As well, staff are collaborating with other investigators in research into the causes of breast cancer.

The independent monitoring groups of the national breast and cervical screening programmes are also part of the Unit and we also conduct research into the impact these programmes have on breast and cervical cancer incidence and mortality.

The Unit is also involved in the development of the New Zealand Cancer Control Strategy.

Publications

Cox, B., & Sneyd, M. J. (2011). School milk and risk of colorectal cancer: A national case-control study. American Journal of Epidemiology, 173(4), 394-403. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwq390

Cox, B., Richardson, A., Graham, P., Gislefoss, R. E., Jellum, E., & Rollag, H. (2010). Breast cancer, cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus: A nested case-control study. British Journal of Cancer, 102, 1665-1669. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6605675

Cox, B., Sneyd, M. J., Paul, C., & Skegg, D. C. G. (2006). Risk factors for prostate cancer: A national case-control study. International Journal of Cancer, 119, 1690-1694.

Cox, B., Ballard-Barbash, R., Broeders, M., Dowling, E., Malila, N., Shumak, R., … Miglioretti, D. (2010). Recording of hormone therapy and breast density in breast screening programs: Summary and recommendations of the International Cancer Screening Network. Breast Cancer Research & Treatment, 124(3), 793-800. doi: 10.1007/s10549-010-0893-0

International Agency for Research on Cancer, including Cox, B., & Sneyd, M. J. (2008). Meta-analysis of observational studies on vitamin D levels and colorectal, breast and prostate cancer and colorectal adenoma. In Vitamin D and cancer [IARC Working Group Reports: Vol. 5]. (pp. 100-112). Lyon, France: IARC.

Cox, B., & Sneyd, M. J. (2011). School milk and risk of colorectal cancer: A national case-control study. American Journal of Epidemiology, 173(4), 394-403. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwq390

Journal - Research Article

Cox, B., Richardson, A., Graham, P., Gislefoss, R. E., Jellum, E., & Rollag, H. (2010). Breast cancer, cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus: A nested case-control study. British Journal of Cancer, 102, 1665-1669. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6605675

Journal - Research Article

Cox, B., Sneyd, M. J., Paul, C., & Skegg, D. C. G. (2006). Risk factors for prostate cancer: A national case-control study. International Journal of Cancer, 119, 1690-1694.

Journal - Research Article

Cox, B., Ballard-Barbash, R., Broeders, M., Dowling, E., Malila, N., Shumak, R., … Miglioretti, D. (2010). Recording of hormone therapy and breast density in breast screening programs: Summary and recommendations of the International Cancer Screening Network. Breast Cancer Research & Treatment, 124(3), 793-800. doi: 10.1007/s10549-010-0893-0

Journal - Research Article

International Agency for Research on Cancer, including Cox, B., & Sneyd, M. J. (2008). Meta-analysis of observational studies on vitamin D levels and colorectal, breast and prostate cancer and colorectal adenoma. In Vitamin D and cancer [IARC Working Group Reports: Vol. 5]. (pp. 100-112). Lyon, France: IARC.

Chapter in Book - Research

Sneyd, M. J., & Cox, B. (2011). Clinical and histologic factors associated with melanoma thickness in New Zealand Europeans, Maori, and Pacific Peoples. Cancer, 117(11), 2489-2498. doi: 10.1002/cncr.25795

Journal - Research Article

Sneyd, M. J., & Cox, B. (2011). Commentary: Decreasing response rates require investigators to quantify and report the impact of selection bias in case-control studies. International Journal of Epidemiology, 40(5), 1355-1357. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyr123

Journal - Research Other

Gandini, S., Boniol, M., Haukka, J., Byrnes, G., Cox, B., Sneyd, M. J., … Autier, P. (2011). Meta-analysis of observational studies of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and colorectal, breast and prostate cancer and colorectal adenoma. International Journal of Cancer, 128(6), 1414-1424. doi: 10.1002/ijc.25439

Journal - Research Article

Skegg, K., Firth, H., Gray, A., & Cox, B. (2010). Suicide by occupation: Does access to means increase the risk? Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 44(5), 429-434. doi: 10.3109/00048670903487191

Journal - Research Article

Beatty, S., Stevens, W., Stevens, G., Kolbe, J., & Cox, B. (2009). Lung cancer patients in New Zealand initially present to secondary care through the emergency department rather than by referral to a respiratory specialist. New Zealand Medical Journal, 122(1294). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/122-1294/3584/content.pdf

Journal - Research Article

Sneyd, M. J., & Cox, B. (2009). Melanoma in Maori, Asian, and Pacific Peoples in New Zealand. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 18(6), 1706-1713. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-08-0682

Journal - Research Article

Cox, B., & Sneyd, M. J. (2009). PSA testing in asymptomatic men to diagnose prostate cancer remains experimental [Editorial]. New Zealand Medical Journal, 122(1296). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/122-1296/3640/content.pdf

Journal - Research Other

Stevens, G., Stevens, W., Purchuri, S., Kolbe, J., & Cox, B. (2009). Radiotherapy utilisation in lung cancer in New Zealand: Disparities with optimal rates explained. New Zealand Medical Journal, 122(1306). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/122-1306/3885/content.pdf

Journal - Research Article

Dachs, G. U., Currie, M. J., Mckenzie, F., Jeffreys, M., Cox, B., Foliaki, S., … Robinson, B. A. (2008). Cancer disparities in indigenous Polynesian populations: Māori, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific people. Lancet Oncology, 9(5), 473-484. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(08)70127-X

Journal - Research Article

Aldington, S., Harwood, M., Cox, B., Weatherall, M., Beckert, L., Hansell, A., … Beasley, R., for the Cannabis and Respiratory Disease Research Group. (2008). Cannabis use and cancer of the head and neck: Case-control study. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery, 138, 374-380. doi: 10.1016/j.otohns.2007.12.002

Journal - Research Article

Aldington, S., Harwood, M., Cox, B., Weatherall, M., Beckert, L., Hansell, A., … Beasley, R., on behalf of the Cannabis and Respiratory Disease Research Group. (2008). Cannabis use and risk of lung cancer: A case-control study. European Respiratory Journal, 31(2), 280-286. doi: 10.1183/09031936.00065707

Journal - Research Article

Wright, C., Reeder, A. I., Gray, A., & Cox, B. (2008). Child sun protection: Sun-related attitudes mediate the association between children's knowledge and behaviours. Journal of Paediatrics & Child Health, 44(12), 692-698. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2008.01408.x

Journal - Research Article

Stevens, W., Stevens, G., Kolbe, J., & Cox, B. (2008). Comparison of New Zealand Cancer Registry data with an independent lung cancer audit. New Zealand Medical Journal, 121(1276). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/121-1276/3119/content.pdf

Journal - Research Article

Stevens, W., Stevens, G., Kolbe, J., & Cox, B. (2008). Ethnic differences in the management of lung cancer in New Zealand. Journal of Thoracic Oncology, 3(3), 237-244. doi: 10.1097/JTO.0b013e3181653d08

Journal - Research Article

Stevens, W., Stevens, G., Kolbe, J., & Cox, B. (2008). Management of stages I and II non-small-cell lung cancer in a New Zealand study: Divergence from international practice and recommendations. Internal Medicine Journal, 38(10), 758-768. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.2007.01523.x

Journal - Research Article

Boyle, P., Anderson, B. O., Andersson, L. C., Ariyaratne, Y., Auleley, G.-R., Barbacid, M., … Cox, B., … Zheng, T. (2008). Need for global action for cancer control [Editorial]. Annals of Oncology, 19(9), 1519-1521. doi: 10.1093/ANNONC/MDN426

Journal - Research Other

Cox, B. (2008). The effect of service screening on breast cancer mortality rates. European Journal of Cancer Prevention, 17(4), 306-311.

Journal - Research Article

Richardson, A., Fletcher, L., Sneyd, M. J., Cox, B., & Reeder, A. I. (2008). The incidence and thickness of cutaneous malignant melanoma in New Zealand 1994-2004. New Zealand Medical Journal, 121(1279). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/121-1279/3189/content.pdf

Journal - Research Article

Stevens, W., Stevens, G., Kolbe, J., & Cox, B. (2008). Varied routes of entry into secondary care and delays in the management of lung cancer in New Zealand. Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology, 4(2), 98-106. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-7563.2008.00158.x

Journal - Research Article

Firth, H., Gray, A., Carpenter, L. M., & Cox, B. (2007). Cancer mortality by occupation among New Zealand women: 1988-1997. New Zealand Medical Journal, 120(1266). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/120-1266/2833/content.pdf

Journal - Research Article

Zhang, L. R., Morgenstern, H., Greenland, S., Chang, S.-C., Lazarus, P., Teare, M. D., … Cox, B., … Hung, R. J. (2015). Cannabis smoking and lung cancer risk: Pooled analysis in the International Lung Cancer Consortium. International Journal of Cancer, 136(4), 894-903. doi: 10.1002/ijc.29036

Journal - Research Article

Cox, B., Liu, C.-W., Sneyd, M. J., & Cameron, C. M. (2014). Epidemic of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in New Zealand remains unexplained. Journal of Cancer Epidemiology, 2014, 315378. doi: 10.1155/2014/315378

Journal - Research Article

Sneyd, M. J., Cameron, C., & Cox, B. (2014). Individual risk of cutaneous melanoma in New Zealand: Developing a clinical prediction aid. BMC Cancer, 14, 359. doi: 10.1186/1471-2407-14-359

Journal - Research Article

Coffey, S., Cox, B., & Williams, M. J. A. (2014). Lack of progress in valvular heart disease in the pre—transcatheter aortic valve replacement era: Increasing deaths and minimal change in mortality rate over the past three decades. American Heart Journal, 167(4), 562-567. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2013.12.030

Journal - Research Article

Coffey, S., Cox, B., & Williams, M. J. A. (2014). The prevalence, incidence, progression, and risks of aortic valve sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JACC, 63(25), 2852-2861. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2014.04.018

Journal - Research Article

Sneyd, M. J., Cameron, C., & Cox, B. (2013). [Letter to the editor]. Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 54(4), e97. doi: 10.1111/ajd.12084

Journal - Research Other

Sneyd, M. J., & Cox, B. (2013). A comparison of trends in melanoma mortality in New Zealand and Australia: The two countries with the highest melanoma incidence and mortality in the world. BMC Cancer, 13, 372. doi: 10.1186/1471-2407-13-372

Journal - Research Article

Cox, B., & Sneyd, M. J. (2013). Bias in breast cancer research in the screening era. The Breast, 22(6), 1041-1045. doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2013.07.046

Journal - Research Article

Coffey, S., Williams, M. J. A., & Cox, B. (2013). Letter by Coffey et al regarding article, Estimating deaths from cardiovascular disease: A review of global methodologies of mortality measurement. Circulation, 128(6), e84. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.113.002123

Journal - Research Other

McBride, D., Cox, B., Broughton, J., & Tong, D. (2013). The mortality and cancer experience of New Zealand Vietnam war veterans: A cohort study. BMJ Open, 3, e003379. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-003379

Journal - Research Article

Cox, B., & Sneyd, M. J. (2011). A regional non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) collection as part of the National Cancer Registry [Letter]. New Zealand Medical Journal, 124(1346). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/124-1346/4981/content.pdf

Journal - Research Other

Sneyd, M. J., Cox, B., Reeder, A., & Richardson, A. (2008). European melanoma incidence: A response to Professor Shaw's melanoma editorial. New Zealand Medical Journal, 121(1285). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/121-1285/3359/content.pdf

Journal - Research Other

Stevens, W., Stevens, G., Kolbe, J., & Cox, B. (2007). Lung cancer in New Zealand: Patterns of secondary care and implications for survival. Journal of Thoracic Oncology, 2(6), 481-493.

Journal - Research Article

Wright, C. Y., Reeder, A. I., Bodeker, G. E., Gray, A., & Cox, B. (2007). Solar UVR exposure, concurrent activities and sun-protective practices among primary schoolchildren. Photochemistry & Photobiology, 83(3), 749-758.

Journal - Research Article

Cox, B. (2007). Trading PREDICTions [Editorial]. New Zealand Medical Journal, 120(1261). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/120-1261/2707/content.pdf

Journal - Research Other

Blair, V., Martin, I., Shaw, D., Winship, I., Kerr, D., Arnold, J., … Cox, B., Humar, B., More, H., & Guilford, P. (2006). Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer: Diagnosis and management. Clinical Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 4, 262-275. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2005.12.003

Journal - Research Article

Sneyd, M. J., & Cox, B. (2006). The control of melanoma in New Zealand. New Zealand Medical Journal, 119(1242). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/119-1242/2169/content.pdf

Journal - Research Article

Cox, B., & Sneyd, M. (2005). Prospects for cancer control: Colorectal cancer. New Zealand Medical Journal, 118(1221). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/118-1221/1632/content.pdf

Journal - Research Article

Richardson, A., Cox, B., Brown, T., & Smale, P. (2005). The impact of breast cancer screening on breast cancer registrations in New Zealand. New Zealand Medical Journal, 118(1209). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/118-1209/1291/content.pdf

Journal - Research Article

Richardson, A., Graham, P., Brown, T., Smale, P., & Cox, B. (2004). Breast cancer detection rates, and standardised detection ratios for prevalence screening in the New Zealand breast cancer screening programme. Journal of Medical Screening, 11(2), 65-69.

Journal - Research Article

Richardson, A. K., Cox, B., McCredie, M. R. E., Dite, G. S., Chang, J. H., Gertig, D. M., … Hopper, J. L. (2004). Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus and risk of breast cancer before age 40 years: A case-control study. British Journal of Cancer, 90, 2149-2152.

Journal - Research Article

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