Dr Brooke Nickel
Sydney School of Public Health
Dr Brooke Nickel (BSc Hons, MIPH, PhD) is a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Emerging Leader Research Fellow in The University of Sydney School of Public Health. She is part of the Sydney Health Literacy Lab and Wiser Healthcare Research Collaboration. Her research focuses on evidence-based healthcare communication and decision making, with a particular focus on cancer; the psychosocial impact of cancer diagnosis and treatment; and overdiagnosis. The work she has led (first/senior author) has been published in high impact international medical journals in the field including The BMJ, The MJA, JAMA and Lancet series and featured in prestigious international media including The New York Times, The Guardian, The Conversation, the BBC and the ABC.
2024 EMCR Award - Outstanding Governance, Leadership and Engagement, Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney
2024 Top 2% of Scientists, Stanford University/Elsevier
2024 Women In Science Young Talent Fellowship, L'Oreal/UNESCO (Shortlisted)
2024 EMCR Publication Award, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney
2024 Best Poster Presentation Prize, BreastScreen Australia Conference
2023 National Publication Award, Wiser Healthcare
2023 Lisa M Schwartz Prize, International Preventing Overdiagnosis Conference
2023 EMCR Funded Award, Women's Health Research, Translation and Impact Network
2023 Equity Prize, The University of Sydney
2022National Publication Award, Wiser Healthcare
2022 Lisa M Schwartz Scholarship, International Preventing Overdiagnosis Conference
2019 Best Oral Presentation (public health/psychosocial), Cancer Research Network Postgraduate & ECR Symposium
2019 Peter Bancroft Prize for Research Work, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney
2018 Best Poster Presentation, Sydney Catalyst Postgraduate & ECR Symposium
2018 PhD Medicine (Medicine and Health), The University of Sydney
2016-2018 Research Scholar Award, Sydney Catalyst
2012 Masters of International Public Health, The University of Sydney
2010 Bachelor of Science (Honours), Wilfrid Laurier University
Project title | Research student |
---|---|
Psychosocial impacts of and barriers to lung cancer screening | Katie MCFADDEN |
Melanoma in situ: Exploring Perceived Risk and Management Preferences | Zhuohan WU |
Publications
Journals
- Tong, C., Bhimani, N., Nickel, B., Serpell, J., Glover, A. (2024). Australian males and females have similar rates of presentation for symptomatic and advanced thyroid cancer: Retrospective analysis of the Australian New Zealand Thyroid Cancer Registry. World Journal of Surgery, 48(12), 2934-2940. [More Information]
- Bell, K., Nickel, B., Pathirana, T., Blennerhassett, M., Carter, S. (2024). Breast cancer screening from age 40 in the US. BMJ, , q1353. [More Information]
- Houssami, N., Lockie, D., Giles, M., Doncovio, S., Marr, G., Taylor, D., Li, T., Nickel, B., Marinovich, M. (2024). Effectiveness of hybrid digital breast tomosynthesis/digital mammography compared to digital mammography in women presenting for routine screening at Maroondah BreastScreen: Study protocol for a co-designed, non-randomised prospective trial. Breast, 74, 103692. [More Information]
2024
- Tong, C., Bhimani, N., Nickel, B., Serpell, J., Glover, A. (2024). Australian males and females have similar rates of presentation for symptomatic and advanced thyroid cancer: Retrospective analysis of the Australian New Zealand Thyroid Cancer Registry. World Journal of Surgery, 48(12), 2934-2940. [More Information]
- Bell, K., Nickel, B., Pathirana, T., Blennerhassett, M., Carter, S. (2024). Breast cancer screening from age 40 in the US. BMJ, , q1353. [More Information]
- Houssami, N., Lockie, D., Giles, M., Doncovio, S., Marr, G., Taylor, D., Li, T., Nickel, B., Marinovich, M. (2024). Effectiveness of hybrid digital breast tomosynthesis/digital mammography compared to digital mammography in women presenting for routine screening at Maroondah BreastScreen: Study protocol for a co-designed, non-randomised prospective trial. Breast, 74, 103692. [More Information]
2023
- Li, T., Nickel, B., Ngo, P., McFadden, K., Brennan, M., Marinovich, M., Houssami, N. (2023). A systematic review of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer screening and diagnosis. Breast, 67, 78-88. [More Information]
- Pandya, T., Liu, Z., Dolan, H., Hersch, J., Brennan, M., Houssami, N., Nickel, B. (2023). Australian Women's Responses to Breast Density Information: A Content Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(2). [More Information]
- Nickel, B., Dolan, H., Houssami, N., Cvejic, E., Brennan, M., Hersch, J., Dorrington, M., Verde, A., Vaccaro, L., McCaffery, K. (2023). Factors associated with women's supplemental screening intentions following dense breast notification in an online randomised experimental study. Journal of Medical Screening, 30(2), 92-95. [More Information]
2022
- Nickel, B., Dolan, H., Carter, S., Houssami, N., Brennan, M., Hersch, J., Verde, A., Vaccaro, L., McCaffery, K. (2022). "It's about our bodies.. we have the right to know this stuff": A qualitative focus group study on Australian women's perspectives on breast density. Patient Education and Counseling, 105(3), 632-640. [More Information]
- Nickel, B., Copp, T., Li, T., Dolan, H., Brennan, M., Verde, A., Vaccaro, L., McCaffery, K., Houssami, N. (2022). A systematic assessment of online international breast density information. Breast, 65, 23-31. [More Information]
- Dolan, H., McCaffery, K., Houssami, N., Brennan, M., Dorrington, M., Cvejic, E., Hersch, J., Verde, A., Vaccaro, L., Nickel, B. (2022). Australian General Practitioner's Current Knowledge, Understanding, and Feelings Regarding Breast Density Information and Notification: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(15). [More Information]
2021
- Copp, T., Nickel, B., Lensen, S., Hammarberg, K., Lieberman, D., Doust, J., Mol, B., McCaffery, K. (2021). Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) test information on Australian and New Zealand fertility clinic websites: A content analysis. BMJ Open, 11(7), e046927. [More Information]
- Nickel, B., Copp, T., Brennan, M., Farber, R., McCaffery, K., Houssami, N. (2021). Breast Density Notification: A Systematic Review of the Impact on Primary Care Practitioners. Journal of Women's Health, 30(10), 1457-1468. [More Information]
- Nickel, B., Farber, R., Brennan, M., Hersch, J., McCaffery, K., Houssami, N. (2021). Breast density notification: evidence on whether benefit outweighs harm is required to inform future screening practice. BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, 26(6), 309-311. [More Information]
2020
- Dodd, R., Nickel, B., Smith, M., Brotherton, J., McCaffery, K. (2020). Getting the timing right: Women's views on the best time to announce changes to cancer screening policy recommendations. Preventive Medicine Reports, 20, 101268. [More Information]
- McCaffery, K., Dodd, R., Cvejic, E., Ayre, J., Batcup, C., Isautier, J., Copp, T., Bonner, C., Pickles, K., Nickel, B., Dakin, T., Cornell, S., et al (2020). Health literacy and disparities in COVID-19–related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviours in Australia. Public Health Research and Practice, 30(4), 1-9. [More Information]
- Bell, K., Irwig, L., Nickel, B., Hersch, J., Hayen, A., Barratt, A. (2020). Mammography screening for breast cancer—the UK Age trial. The Lancet Oncology, 21(11), e504. [More Information]
2019
- Dodd, R., Nickel, B., Wortley, S., Bonner, C., Hersch, J., McCaffery, K. (2019). Examining the information needed for acceptance of deintensified screening programmes: qualitative focus groups about cervical screening in Australia. BMJ Open, 9(10), 1-9. [More Information]
- Nickel, B., Tan, T., Cvejic, E., Baade, P., McLeod, D., Pandeya, N., Youl, P., McCaffery, K., Jordan, S. (2019). Health-Related Quality of Life After Diagnosis and Treatment of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer and Association With Type of Surgical Treatment. JAMA Otolaryngology. Head & Neck Surgery, 145(3), 231-238. [More Information]
- Nickel, B., Semsarian, C., Moynihan, R., Barratt, A., Jordan, S., McLeod, D., Brito, J., McCaffery, K. (2019). Public perceptions of changing the terminology for low-risk thyroid cancer: a qualitative focus group study. BMJ Open, 9(2), 1-8. [More Information]
2018
- Nickel, B., Howard, K., Brito, J., Barratt, A., Moynihan, R., McCaffery, K. (2018). Association of Preferences for Papillary Thyroid Cancer Treatment With Disease Terminology: A Discrete Choice Experiment. JAMA Otolaryngology. Head & Neck Surgery, 144(10), 887-896. [More Information]
- Weir, K., Nickel, B., Naganathan, V., Bonner, C., McCaffery, K., Carter, S., McLachlan, A., Jansen, J. (2018). Decision-Making Preferences and Deprescribing: Perspectives of Older Adults and Companions About Their Medicines. Journal of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 73(7), e98-e107. [More Information]
- Nickel, B., Barratt, A., McGeechan, K., Brito, J., Moynihan, R., Howard, K., McCaffery, K. (2018). Effect of a Change in Papillary Thyroid Cancer Terminology on Anxiety Levels and Treatment Preferences: A Randomized Crossover Trial. JAMA Otolaryngology. Head & Neck Surgery, 144(10), 867-874. [More Information]
2017
- Nickel, B., Brito, J., Barratt, A., Jordan, S., Moynihan, R., McCaffery, K. (2017). Clinicians' Views on Management and Terminology for Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma: A Qualitative Study. Thyroid, 27(5), 661-671. [More Information]
- Nickel, B., Dodd, R., Turner, R., Waller, J., Marlow, L., Zimet, G., Ostini, R., McCaffery, K. (2017). Factors associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination across three countries following vaccination introduction. Preventive Medicine Reports, 8, 169-176. [More Information]
- Hersch, J., Nickel, B., Ghanouni, A., Jansen, J., McCaffery, K. (2017). Improving communication about cancer screening: Moving towards informed decision making. Public Health Research and Practice, 27(3), 1-5. [More Information]
2016
- Jansen, J., Naganathan, V., Carter, S., McLachlan, A., Nickel, B., Irwig, L., Bonner, C., Doust, J., Colvin, J., Heaney, A., McCaffery, K., et al (2016). Too much medicine in older people? Deprescribing through shared decision making. BMJ, 353, 1-6. [More Information]
2015
- Nickel, B., Barratt, A., Hersch, J., Moynihan, R., Irwig, L., McCaffery, K. (2015). How different terminology for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) impacts women's concern and management preferences: A qualitative study. The Breast, 24(5), 673-679. [More Information]
- McCaffery, K., Nickel, B., Moynihan, R., Hersch, J., Teixeira-Pinto, A., Irwig, L., Barratt, A. (2015). How different terminology for ductal carcinoma in situ impacts women's concern and treatment preferences: a randomised comparison within a national community survey. BMJ Open, 5(11), 1-7. [More Information]
- Moynihan, R., Nickel, B., Hersch, J., Beller, E., Doust, J., Compton, S., Barratt, A., Bero, L., McCaffery, K. (2015). Public Opinions about Overdiagnosis: A National Community Survey. PloS One, 10(5), 1-13. [More Information]
Selected Grants
2024
- Ensuring equitable implementation of breast density notification through population-based breast cancer screening in NSW: integrating information resources for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) women., Nickel B, Sydney Health Partners (Sydney Local Health District)/Implementation Science Grant
2023
- Evaluating Artificial intelligence (AI) to underpin future population breast cancer screening practice, Marinovich M, Houssami N, Nickel B, National Breast Cancer Foundation/Investigator Initiated Research Scheme
- Equity in breast density notification in Australia: exploring the impact and needs amongst culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women, Nickel B, Monash University/AHRA WHTRN Early and MidCareer Researcher (EMCR)
- Towards building breast cancer risk factors health literacy in Australia to inform prevention, Nickel B, Sydney Cancer Partners/Seed Grant
Other Grants and Funding
- Rewarding Research Success 2023, Nickel B, Faculty of Medine and Health, The University of Sydney
- Rewarding Research Success 2022, Nickel B, Faculty of Medine and Health, The University of Sydney
Collaboration Group Publications
- Gram, EG., Macdonald, H., Barnett, B., Woloshin, S., on behalf of the Preventing Overdiagnosis Scientific Committee. A call to improve transparent communication in direct-to-consumer test marketing. BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine. 2024, 29:213-214.
- Isautier., J, McCaffery., K.,Sydney Health Literacy Lab COVID-19 group. Patients are a vital voice for the future of telehealth. Respirology.2021, 26(8) 729-730.
- Dodd, R., Cvejic, E., Bonner, C., Pickles, K., McCaffery, K.,Sydney Health Literacy Lab COVID-19 group. Willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19 in Australia.The Lancet Infectious Diseases. 2021, 21(3) 318-319.
The University of Sydney related research articles
Influencers promoting 'overwhelmingly' misleading information about medical tests on social media
When the media reports on celebrity cancer, are we really getting the whole story?
Feminst narrative are being hijacked to market medical tests not backed by evidence
How medical terminology sways patients' surgery decisions
Why are young men more likely to believe COVID-19 myths than other groups?
Funding success for vital health and medical research
Drop the C-word to reduce anxiety and over-treatment, say experts
In the media
BBC Health Check. Influencers on social media promoting medical tests for people who are healthy. 5 March 2025.
ABC Radio National Health Report. Influencers spreading misinformation online. 1 March 2025.
The Conversation. We analysed almost 1,000 social media posts about 5 popular medical tests. Most were utterly misleading. 27 February 2025.
The Guardian. Social media influencers are 'fearmongering' to promote health tests with limited evidence, study finds. 27 February 2025.
The New York Times. Influencers call these medical tests lifesaving. Here's what you may not know. 26 February 2025.
The Guardian. Kim Kardashian recommends a full-body MRI scan - should I get one? 10 October 2024.
The Conversation. Elle Macpherson's breast cancer: when the media reports on celebrity cancer, are we really getting the whole story? 5 September 2024.
The Guardian. Crucial information missing in Elle Macpherson breast cancer story, experts warn. 4 September 2024.
The Conversation. Breast cancer screening in Australia may change. Here's what we know so far. 4 July 2024.
UnHerd. Has HRT propaganda misled women? Meopause is not a disease. 7 March 2024.
Stuff (NZ leading media company). Concerns feminist language is being used to encourage unnecessary health tests. 21 February 2024.
RACGP - newsGP. Feminist language being used to market medical tests. 19 February 2024.
ABC News. Feminism 'co-opted' to market non-evidence-based women's health interventions like AMH 'egg timer' tests, researchers argue. 18 February 2024.
The Guardian. Companies marketing useless health products to women using feminist wellbeing messages. 15 February 2024.
The Conversation. Feminist narratives are being hijacked to market medical tests not backed by evidence. 15 February 2024.
Queensland Health News. Sunshine Coast team shaping the future of breast screening. 22 December 2023.
MJA InSight+. The pros and cons of notifying women of breast density risks. 16 October 2023.
Oncology Republic. World-first breast density notification RCT begins in QLD. 20 September 2023.
The BMJ News. Consumer fertility tests: five minutes with... Brooke Nickel. 16 August 2023.
Australian Doctor. Widespread breast density reporting 'premature', says cancer researcher. 10 August 2023.
The Conversation. My scan shows I have thyroid nodules. Should I be worried?. 26 April 2023.
Australian Doctor. The dilemma of breast density. 18 February 2023.
MJA InSight+. Should we be talking to women about their breast density?. 15 August 2022.
ABC Radio National Health Report. Should women be warned about their dense breasts?. 20 June 2022.
The Conversation. How your doctor describes your medical condition can encourage you to say 'yes' to surgery when there are other options. 5 April 2021.
The Conversation. Young men are more likely to believe COVID-19 myths. So how do we actually reach them?10 August 2020.
Croakey Health Media. 'Cancer': what is really in a name?. 16 April 2020.
The JAMA Network.Effect of a change in papillary thyroid cancer terminology on anxiety levels and treatment preferences. 23 August 2018.
The Sydney Morning Herald. Drop 'cancer' label to protect patients from over-treatment, researachers say. 13 August 2018.
The Guardian. Doctors should avoid saying cancer for minor lesions - study. 13 August 2018.
ABC News. Drop 'cancer' label from low-risk diagnoses to avoid frightening patients, researchers say. 13 August 2018.
ABC - The World Today. Study calls to take caution when using the term 'cancer'. 13 August 2018.
The Conversation. Is it time to remove the cancer label from low-risk conditions?. 13 August 2018.