Dr Melinda Protani
Lecturer
School of Public Health
+61 7 334 64623
Researcher biography
Dr Melinda Protani is an epidemiologist with over 15 years experience in research and tertiary education. She is the current Program Director for the Master of Epidemiology at UQ. Her research is focussed on cancer aetiology, survivorship and patterns of care, with a particular interest in inequity in access to health services and the receipt of optimal cancer care. Dr Protani has experience in a number of methods including medical record audits, surveys of the general population, patient groups and clinicians, and data linkage using registry and administrative datasets.
Journal Articles
Vaz-Goncalves, Larissa, Marquart-Wilson, Louise, Protani, Melinda, Saunus, Jodi, Moore, Julie, Morris, Michelle and Reeves, Marina (2025). Abstract P5-11-22: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and survival outcomes in triple-negative breast cancer: a population-based study (Queensland, Australia). Clinical Cancer Research, 31 (12_Supplement), P5-11. doi: 10.1158/1557-3265.sabcs24-p5-11-22
Vaz-Gonçalves, Larissa, Marquart-Wilson, Louise, Protani, Melinda M., Stephensen, Meghan T., Moore, Julie, Morris, Michelle F, Saunus, Jodi M. and Reeves, Marina M. (2025). Capturing breast cancer subtypes in cancer registries: insights into real-world incidence and survival. Journal of Cancer Policy, 44 100567. doi: 10.1016/j.jcpo.2025.100567
Tuesley, Karen M., Webb, Penelope M., Protani, Melinda M., Donovan, Peter, Jordan, Susan J. and Dixon-Suen, Suzanne (2025). Exploring estrogen-related mechanisms in ovarian carcinogenesis: association between bone mineral density and ovarian cancer risk in a multivariable Mendelian randomization study. Cancer Causes and Control, 36 (2), 171-182. doi: 10.1007/s10552-024-01926-9
Vaz-Goncalves, Larissa, Protani, Melinda M., Saunus, Jodi M., Colditz, Graham A. and Reeves, Marina M. (2024). Continental differences in the association between excess body weight and prognosis in triple-negative breast cancer: a meta-analysis. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 209 (2), 1-13. doi: 10.1007/s10549-024-07538-w
D'cunha, Kelly, Park, Yikyung, Leech, Rebecca M., Protani, Melinda M., Marquart-Wilson, Louise and Reeves, Marina M. (2024). Eating frequency, timing of meals, and sleep duration before and after a randomized controlled weight loss trial for breast cancer survivors. Journal of Cancer Survivorship. doi: 10.1007/s11764-024-01680-6
Tuesley, Karen M., Spilsbury, Katrina, Webb, Penelope M., Pearson, Sallie-Anne, Donovan, Peter, Coory, Michael D., Steer, Christopher B., Stewart, Louise M., Pandeya, Nirmala, Protani, Melinda M., Dixon-Suen, Suzanne, Marquart-Wilson, Louise and Jordan, Susan J. (2024). Use of an emulated trial to investigate the association between use of nitrogen-based bisphosphonates and risk of epithelial ovarian cancer. International Journal of Epidemiology, 53 (4) dyae108, 1-10. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyae108
Kisely, S., Spilsbury, K., Bull, C., Jordan, S., Kendall, B. J., Siskind, D., Sara, G., Protani, M. and Lawrence, D. (2024). Rates of colorectal cancer diagnosis and mortality in people with severe mental illness: results from Australia’s National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 33 e79, 1-8. doi: 10.1017/s2045796024000787
Tuesley, Karen M., Spilsbury, Katrina, Webb, Penelope M., Protani, Melinda M., Dixon-Suen, Suzanne, Pearson, Sallie-Anne, Donovan, Peter, Coory, Michael D., Steer, Christopher B., Stewart, Louise M., Pandeya, Nirmala and Jordan, Susan J. (2023). Association between antihypertensive medicine use and risk of ovarian cancer in women aged 50 years and older. Cancer Epidemiology, 86 102444, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.canep.2023.102444
Di Sipio, T., Protani, M. M., Finnane, A., Johnson, R. and Hall, L. (2023). Exploring postgraduate epidemiology competencies: Preparing our students for a post-COVID world. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 47 (2) 100026, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100026
Kisely, Steve, Alotiby, Meshary Khaled N., Protani, Melinda M., Soole, Rebecca, Arnautovska, Urska and Siskind, Dan (2023). Breast cancer treatment disparities in patients with severe mental illness: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Psycho-Oncology, 32 (5), 651-662. doi: 10.1002/pon.6120
D’cunha, Kelly, Park, Yikyung, Protani, Melinda M. and Reeves, Marina M. (2022). Circadian rhythm disrupting behaviours and cancer outcomes in breast cancer survivors: a systematic review. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 198 (3), 413-421. doi: 10.1007/s10549-022-06792-0
Protani, Melinda M., Alotiby, Meshary Khaled N., Seth, Rebecca, Lawrence, David, Jordan, Susan J., Logan, Hayley, Kendall, Bradley J., Siskind, Dan, Sara, Grant and Kisely, Steve (2022). Colorectal cancer treatment in people with severe mental illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 31 e82, 1-11. doi: 10.1017/s2045796022000634
Tuesley, Karen M., Webb, Penelope M., Protani, Melinda M., Spilsbury, Katrina, Pearson, Sallie-Anne, Coory, Michael D., Donovan, Peter, Steer, Christopher, Stewart, Louise M., Pandeya, Nirmala and Jordan, Susan J. (2022). Nitrogen-based Bisphosphonate Use and Ovarian Cancer Risk in Women Aged 50 Years and Older (vol 114, djac050, 2022). Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 114 (8), 1206-1206. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djac118
Tuesley, Karen M., Webb, Penelope M., Protani, Melinda M., Spilsbury, Katrina, Pearson, Sallie-Anne, Coory, Michael D., Donovan, Peter, Steer, Christopher, Stewart, Louise M., Pandeya, Nirmala and Jordan, Susan J. (2022). Nitrogen-based bisphosphonate use and ovarian cancer risk in women aged 50 years and older. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 114 (6), 878-884. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djac050
Martin, Fabiola, Gilks, Charles F., Gibb, Robert, Jenkins, Alana, Protani, Melinda, Francis, Fleur, Redmond, Andrew M., Neilsen, Graham, Mudge, David, Wolley, Martin, Binotto, Enzo, Norton, Robert, Nimmo, Graeme R. and Heney, Claire (2022). Human T-cell leukaemia virus type 1 and Adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma in Queensland, Australia: a retrospective cross-sectional study. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 99 (1), 50-52. doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2021-055241
Tuesley, Karen M., Webb, Penelope M., Protani, Melinda M., Spilsbury, Katrina, Pearson, Sallie-Anne, Coory, Michael D., Donovan, Peter, Steer, Christopher, Stewart, Louise M., Pandeya, Nirmala and Jordan, Susan J. (2022). Response to Lehrer and Rheinstein. JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 114 (10) djac083, 1427-1428. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djac083
Hee, Jia Yi, Protani, Melinda M., Koh, Ee Tzun, Leong, Khai Pang, Ang, Andrea Ee Ling, Chan, Grace Yin Lai, Chan, Madelynn Tsu-Li, Chia, Faith Li-Ann, Chng, Hiok Hee, Chua, Choon Guan, Howe, Hwee Siew, Koh, Ee Tzun, Koh, Li Wearn, Kong, Kok Ooi, Law, Weng Giap, Lee, Samuel Shang Ming, Leong, Khai Pang, Lian, Tsui Yee, Lim, Xin Rong, Loh, Jess Mung Ee, Manghani, Mona, Tan, Justina Wei Lynn, Tan, Sze-Chin, Teo, Claire Min-Li, Thong, Bernard Yu-Hor, Tjokrosaputro, Paula Permatasari, Xu, Chuanhui and The Tan Tock Seng Hospital Rheumatoid Arthritis Study Group (2021). Metabolic syndrome and its effect on the outcomes of rheumatoid arthritis in a multi-ethnic cohort in Singapore. Clinical Rheumatology, 41 (3), 649-660. doi: 10.1007/s10067-021-05945-8
Khatri, Resham B., Alemu, Yibeltal, Protani, Melinda M., Karkee, Rajendra and Durham, Jo (2021). Intersectional (in) equities in contact coverage of maternal and newborn health services in Nepal: insights from a nationwide cross-sectional household survey. BMC Public Health, 21 (1) 1098, 1098. doi: 10.1186/s12889-021-11142-8
Protani, Melinda M., Jordan, Susan J., Kendall, Bradley J., Siskind, Dan, Lawrence, David, Sara, Grant, Brophy, Lisa and Kisely, Steve (2021). Colorectal cancer outcomes in people with severe mental illness cohort (COSMIC): a protocol for an Australian retrospective cohort using linked administrative data. BMJ Open, 11 (6) 044737, e044737. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044737
Tuesley, Karen M., Protani, Melinda M., Webb, Penelope M., Dixon-Suen, Suzanne C., Wilson, Louise F., Stewart, Louise M. and Jordan, Susan J. (2020). Hysterectomy with and without oophorectomy and all-cause and cause-specific mortality. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 223 (5) 723.e1-e16, 723.e1-723.e16. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.04.037
Protani, Melinda M., Joshi, Andre, White, Victoria, Marco, David J. T., Neale, Rachel E., Coory, Michael D., Giles, Graham G., Bolton, Damien M., Davis, Ian D., Wood, Simon and Jordan, Susan J. (2020). The role of renal mass biopsy in the management of small renal masses – patterns of use and surgeon opinion. Journal of Clinical Urology, 13 (5), 205141581989418-363. doi: 10.1177/2051415819894181
Waterhouse, Mary, Hope, Bronwyn, Krause, Lutz, Morrison, Mark, Protani, Melinda M., Zakrzewski, Martha and Neale, Rachel E. (2018). Vitamin D and the gut microbiome: a systematic review of in vivo studies. European Journal of Nutrition, 58 (7), 2895-2910. doi: 10.1007/s00394-018-1842-7
You, Yuanhai, Davies, Mark R, Protani, Melinda, McIntyre, Liam, Walker, Mark J and Zhang, Jianzhong (2018). Scarlet fever epidemic in China caused by Streptococcus pyogenes serotype M12: epidemiologic and molecular analysis. EBioMedicine, 28, 128-135. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2018.01.010
Terranova, Caroline O., Protani, Melinda M. and Reeves, Marina M. (2018). Overall dietary intake and prognosis after breast cancer: a systematic review. Nutrition and Cancer, 70 (2), 153-163. doi: 10.1080/01635581.2018.1412478
Playdon, Mary C., Nagle, Christina M., Ibiebele, Torukiri I., Ferrucci, Leah M., Protani, Melinda M., Carter, Jonathan, Hyde, Simon E., Neesham, Deborah, Nicklin, James L., Mayne, Susan T. and Webb, Penelope M. (2017). Pre-diagnosis diet and survival after a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. British Journal of Cancer, 116 (12), 1627-1637. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2017.120
Price, Melanie A., Butow, Phyllis N., Bell, Melanie L., deFazio, Anna, Friedlander, Michael, Fardell, Joanna E., Protani, Melinda M. and Webb, Penelope M. (2016). Helplessness/hopelessness, minimization and optimism predict survival in women with invasive ovarian cancer: a role for targeted support during initial treatment decision-making?. Supportive Care in Cancer, 24 (6), 2627-2634. doi: 10.1007/s00520-015-3070-5
Webb, Penelope M., de Fazio, Anna, Protani, Melinda M., Ibiebele, Torukiri I., Nagle, Christina M., Brand, Alison H., Blomfield, Penelope I., Grant, Peter, Perrin, Lewis C. and Neale, Rachel E. (2015). Circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D and survival in women with ovarian cancer. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 102 (1), 109-114. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.114.102681
Nagle, Christina M., Ibiebele, Torukiri I., DeFazio, Anna, Protani, Melinda M. and Webb, Penelope M. (2015). Aspirin, nonaspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen and ovarian cancer survival. Cancer Epidemiology, 39 (2), 196-199. doi: 10.1016/j.canep.2014.12.010
Dixon, S. C., Ibiebele, T. I., Protani, M. M., Beesley, J., deFazio, A., Crandon, A. J., Gard, G. B., Rome, R. M., Webb, P. M. and Nagle, C. M. (2014). Dietary folate and related micronutrients, folate-metabolising genes, and ovarian cancer survival. Gynecologic Oncology, 132 (3), 566-572. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2013.12.025
Carroll, James P., Protani, Melinda, Nguyen, Linda, Cheng, Matthew E., Fay, Mike, Saleem, Mohamed, Pillay, Praga S., Walpole, Euan and Martin, Jennifer H. (2014). Toxicity and tolerability of adjuvant breast cancer chemotherapy in obese women. Medical Oncology, 31 (4) 881, 881. doi: 10.1007/s12032-014-0881-z
Jordan, Susan J., Nagle, Christina M., Coory, Michael D., Maresco, Diane, Protani, Melinda M., Pandeya, Neha A., Balasubramaniam, Kanchana D. and Webb, Penelope M. (2013). Has the association between hysterectomy and ovarian cancer changed over time? A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Cancer, 49 (17), 3638-3647. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2013.07.005
Neill, Annette S., Nagle, Christina M., Protani, Melinda M., Obermair, Andreas, Spurdle, Amanda B. and Webb, Penelope M. (2013). Aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, paracetamol and risk of endometrial cancer: a case-control study, systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Cancer, 132 (5), 1146-1155. doi: 10.1002/ijc.27717
Wilson, Louise F., Page, Andrew N., Dunn, Nathan A. M., Pandeya, Nirmala, Protani, Melinda M. and Taylor, Richard J. (2013). Population attributable risk of modifiable risk factors associated with invasive breast cancer in women aged 45-69 years in Queensland, Australia. Maturitas, 76 (4), 370-376. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2013.09.002
Carroll, James, Protani, Melinda, Walpole, Euan and Martin, Jennifer H. (2012). Effect of obesity on toxicity in women treated with adjuvant chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer: a systematic review. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 136 (2), 323-330. doi: 10.1007/s10549-012-2213-3
Swannell, Sarah, Martin, Graham, Page, Andrew, Hasking, Penelope, Hazell, Philip, Taylor, Anne and Protani, Melinda (2012). Child maltreatment, subsequent non-suicidal self-injury and the mediating roles of dissociation, alexithymia and self-blame. Child Abuse and Neglect, 36 (7-8), 572-584. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2012.05.005
Protani, Melinda M., Nagle, Christina M. and Webb, Penelope M. (2012). Obesity and ovarian cancer survival: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Cancer Prevention Research, 5 (7), 901-910. doi: 10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-12-0048
Protani, Melinda, Page, Andrew, Taylor, Richard, Glazebrook, Roz, Lahmann, Petra H., Branch, Elise and Muller, Jennifer (2012). Breast cancer risk factors in Queensland women attending population-based mammography screening. Maturitas, 71 (3), 279-286. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2011.12.008
Hoy, D. G., Protani, M., De, R. and Buchbinder, R. (2010). The epidemiology of neck pain. Best Practice & Research in Clinical Rheumatology, 24 (6), 783-792. doi: 10.1016/j.berh.2011.01.019
Protani, Melinda, Coory, Michael and Martin, Jennifer H. (2010). Effect of obesity on survival of women with breast cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 123 (3), 627-635. doi: 10.1007/s10549-010-0990-0
Conference Papers
Vaz-Goncalves, Larissa, Marquart-Wilson, Louise, Protani, Melinda M., Saunus, Jodi M., Moore, Julie, Morris, Michelle J. and Reeves, Marina M. (2024). Receipt and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy treatment and survival outcomes in triple-negative breast cancer in Queensland: a retrospective population-based cohort. COSA's 51st Annual Scientific Meeting, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 13–15 November 2024. Richmond, VIC Australia: John Wiley & Sons.
Vaz-Goncalves, L., Marquart-Wilson, L., Protani, M., Stephensen, M., Saunus, J., Moore, J., Morris, M. and Reeves, M. (2024). Investigating survival by breast cancer molecular subtype in Australia: A population-based study. ESMO Congress 2024, Barcelona, Spain, 13-17 September 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.annonc.2024.08.237
D'cunha, Kelly, Park, Yikyung, Leech, Rebecca, Protani, Melinda, Marquart-Wilson, Louise and Reeves, Marina (2023). Prevalence and Change in Circadian Rhythm Disrupting Sleep and Eating Behaviours in Breast Cancer Survivors Following a Weight Loss Intervention. Nutrition 2023, Boston, MA, United States, 22-25 July 2023. Philadelphia, PA, United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.cdnut.2023.100724
Kisely, S. R., Siskind, D., Protani, M., Alotiby, M., Seth, R., Lawrence, D., Jordan, S., Logan, H., Kendall, B. and Sara, G. (2023). Colorectal cancer outcomes in the people with severe mental illness cohort (cosmic): a systematic review and preliminary data from Australia's national bowel cancer screening programme protocol. RANZCP 2023 Congress, Perth, WA, Australia, 28 May-1 June 2023. London, United Kingdom: Sage Publications. doi: 10.1177/00048674231169682
Tuesley, Karen, Webb, Penelope, Protani, Melinda, Spilsbury, Katrina, Pearson, Sallie-Anne, Coory, Michael D., Donovan, Peter, Stewart, Louise M., Pandeya, Nirmala and Jordan, Susan (2021). Bisphosphonate use and risk of ovarian cancer, a nested case-control study using national health data. IEA World Congress Of Epidemiology 2021, Online, 3-6 September 2021. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyab168.667
Terranova, Caroline O., Protani, Melinda and Reeves, Marina M. (2016). Overall Dietary Intake and Prognosis After Breast Cancer: a Systematic Review. COSA's 43rd and ANZBCTG's 38th Annual Scientific Meetings. Partners for Progress in Breast Cancer Research and Care, Gold Coast QLD Australia, 15–17 November 2016. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
Linda Nguyen, Cheng, Matthew, Protani, Melinda, Martin, Jennifer and Fay, Michael (2014). Relationship between obese women with breast cancer, their socioeconomic status and comorbidities. COSA's 46th Annual Scientific Meeting, Adelaide, Australia, 12–14 November 2019. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/ajco.13263
Cheng, Matthew, Linda Nguyen, Protani, Melinda, Carroll, James, Fay, Mike and Martin, Jennifer (2014). Obesity a Risk Factor for Chemotherapy Dose Reduction in Breast Cancer: a Multi-Centered Approach. 2014 World Congress , Melbourne, Australia, 3–6 December 2014. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/ajco.12332
Thesis
Protani, Melinda (2014). Examining the role of obesity in the survival of women with breast and ovarian cancers. PhD Thesis, School of Population Health, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2015.321