Brooke Nickel
Biographic Data
| ID | 6638812 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Brooke Nickel |
| GIVEN NAMES | Brooke |
| FAMILY NAME | Nickel |
| SIGNATURE | NICKEL B |
| AFFILIATIONS | The University of Sydney |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-8100-4278 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 12 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 2 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 12 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2017 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
Feeling ill, not harmed
Scholarship has highlighted how the identification of breast cancer risk and false-positive screening results operate as modes of governance that shape subjects and extend the reach of medicine. Building upon this work, this article offers a phenomenologically-informed analysis of women's experiences of false-positive results in breast cancer screening, examining how such encounters with risk and the possibility of disease are lived and carried i…
Beyond the hashtag
Women increasingly rely on social media for health information, yet concerns persist about the accuracy, transparency, and commercial influence shaping this content. This content analysis of the Instagram posts using #womenshealth aimed to map women's health topics and interventions discussed and assess the presence of health claims, financial conflicts of interest, and reference to scientific evidence. Of 472 included posts, 297 (63%) were creat…
The illusion of empowerment
Women’s health has long been under-researched, under-funded, and structurally marginalized (Sugimoto et al. 2019, Regensteiner et al. 2025, World Health Organisation 2026). From systematic exclusion from clinical trials to persistent diagnostic delays in conditions such as heart disease (Mikhail 2005, Nadarajah et al. 2023) and endometriosis (Harrilal-Maharaj 2025), the knowledge gaps are well documented. However, alongside the advancement of the…
Reducing Stigma in Lung Cancer Screening
INTRODUCTION: Organised lung cancer screening (LCS) programs are being developed worldwide in response to recent landmark trial evidence. Targeting high-risk individuals primarily based on smoking history, LCS faces challenges from smoking-related stigma, which can cause psychological harm and hinder participation. With limited interventions addressing this issue, this study aimed to co-design a communication-based strategy to reduce stigma in th…
Psychosocial Impact of Breast Density Notification Through Breast Cancer Screening
INTRODUCTION: Breast density notification is now implemented in the United States and parts of Australia and Canada despite limited understanding of how it impacts women and their psychosocial health. This study explored the psychosocial impact of receiving a notification of dense breasts through a population-based breast cancer screening programme. METHODS: We interviewed 19 Australian women who indicated being anxious in a survey. This survey w…
Selling masculinity – A qualitative analysis of gender representations in social media content about “low T”
Testosterone has long been advertised through gendered messages that link masculinity with strength, sexual performance and vitality. In recent years, this marketing has moved onto social media, where platforms offer new ways to target audiences and shape ideas about men's health. This study examines how gender and masculinity are portrayed in social media content about testosterone testing and treatment on Instagram and TikTok. Using qualitative…
False premises, false promises
Most celebrities are not formally trained in evaluating medical evidence. Accordingly, their testimonials or endorsements may lack solid scientific backing, relying on ‘anecdotal evidence’, which can potentially convince consumers to seek unsafe or ineffective therapies. This is especially concerning when financial interests may inadvertently cloud judgement and generate personal endorsements of ineffective, or even harmful, medical interventions…
Australian Women’s Responses to Breast Density Information
These findings have important implications for health systems with population-based breast screening programs that are currently considering widespread BD notification in terms of the impact on women, health services and primary care
Covid-19 Vaccine Misperceptions in a Community Sample of Adults Aged 18–49 Years in Australia
Central to a successful population vaccination program is high uptake of vaccines. However, COVID-19 vaccine uptake may be impeded by beliefs based on misinformation. We sought to understand the prevalence and nature of misbeliefs about COVID-19 vaccines, and identify associated factors, shortly after commencement of Australia's national vaccine rollout. A cross-sectional survey was administered to unvaccinated young adults (n = 2050) in Australi…
Australian General Practitioners’ Current Knowledge, Understanding, and Feelings Regarding Breast Density Information and Notification
There is strong support for notifying patients of breast density, and interest in further education and training among the surveyed GPs. As GPs play a central role in cancer prevention and control, their involvement in discussions related to breast density notification, evaluation and appraisal of evidence, development of communication strategies, and participation in ongoing research on the topic will be indispensable
Health literacy and disparities in Covid-19–related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviours in Australia
OBJECTIVES: To explore the variation in understanding of, attitudes towards, and uptake of, health advice on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the 2020 pandemic stage 3 restrictions ('lockdown') by health literacy in the Australian population. STUDY DESIGN: National cross-sectional community survey. SETTING: Australian general public. PARTICIPANTS: Adults aged over 18 years (N = 4362). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Knowledge, attitudes and beha…
Decision-Making Preferences and Deprescribing
This study provides a novel typology to describe differences between older people who are happy to take multiple medicines, and those who are open to deprescribing. To enable shared decision-making, prescribers need to adapt their communication about polypharmacy based on their patients' attitudes to medicines and preferences for involvement in decisions
Decision-Making Preferences and Deprescribing
This study provides a novel typology to describe differences between older people who are happy to take multiple medicines, and those who are open to deprescribing. To enable shared decision-making, prescribers need to adapt their communication about polypharmacy based on their patients' attitudes to medicines and preferences for involvement in decisions
Decision-Making Preferences and Deprescribing
This study provides a novel typology to describe differences between older people who are happy to take multiple medicines, and those who are open to deprescribing. To enable shared decision-making, prescribers need to adapt their communication about polypharmacy based on their patients' attitudes to medicines and preferences for involvement in decisions
Health literacy and disparities in Covid-19–related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviours in Australia
OBJECTIVES: To explore the variation in understanding of, attitudes towards, and uptake of, health advice on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the 2020 pandemic stage 3 restrictions ('lockdown') by health literacy in the Australian population. STUDY DESIGN: National cross-sectional community survey. SETTING: Australian general public. PARTICIPANTS: Adults aged over 18 years (N = 4362). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Knowledge, attitudes and beha…
Covid-19 Vaccine Misperceptions in a Community Sample of Adults Aged 18–49 Years in Australia
Central to a successful population vaccination program is high uptake of vaccines. However, COVID-19 vaccine uptake may be impeded by beliefs based on misinformation. We sought to understand the prevalence and nature of misbeliefs about COVID-19 vaccines, and identify associated factors, shortly after commencement of Australia's national vaccine rollout. A cross-sectional survey was administered to unvaccinated young adults (n = 2050) in Australi…
Australian General Practitioners’ Current Knowledge, Understanding, and Feelings Regarding Breast Density Information and Notification
There is strong support for notifying patients of breast density, and interest in further education and training among the surveyed GPs. As GPs play a central role in cancer prevention and control, their involvement in discussions related to breast density notification, evaluation and appraisal of evidence, development of communication strategies, and participation in ongoing research on the topic will be indispensable
Australian Women’s Responses to Breast Density Information
These findings have important implications for health systems with population-based breast screening programs that are currently considering widespread BD notification in terms of the impact on women, health services and primary care
False premises, false promises
Most celebrities are not formally trained in evaluating medical evidence. Accordingly, their testimonials or endorsements may lack solid scientific backing, relying on ‘anecdotal evidence’, which can potentially convince consumers to seek unsafe or ineffective therapies. This is especially concerning when financial interests may inadvertently cloud judgement and generate personal endorsements of ineffective, or even harmful, medical interventions…
Feeling ill, not harmed
Scholarship has highlighted how the identification of breast cancer risk and false-positive screening results operate as modes of governance that shape subjects and extend the reach of medicine. Building upon this work, this article offers a phenomenologically-informed analysis of women's experiences of false-positive results in breast cancer screening, examining how such encounters with risk and the possibility of disease are lived and carried i…
Beyond the hashtag
Women increasingly rely on social media for health information, yet concerns persist about the accuracy, transparency, and commercial influence shaping this content. This content analysis of the Instagram posts using #womenshealth aimed to map women's health topics and interventions discussed and assess the presence of health claims, financial conflicts of interest, and reference to scientific evidence. Of 472 included posts, 297 (63%) were creat…
The illusion of empowerment
Women’s health has long been under-researched, under-funded, and structurally marginalized (Sugimoto et al. 2019, Regensteiner et al. 2025, World Health Organisation 2026). From systematic exclusion from clinical trials to persistent diagnostic delays in conditions such as heart disease (Mikhail 2005, Nadarajah et al. 2023) and endometriosis (Harrilal-Maharaj 2025), the knowledge gaps are well documented. However, alongside the advancement of the…
Reducing Stigma in Lung Cancer Screening
INTRODUCTION: Organised lung cancer screening (LCS) programs are being developed worldwide in response to recent landmark trial evidence. Targeting high-risk individuals primarily based on smoking history, LCS faces challenges from smoking-related stigma, which can cause psychological harm and hinder participation. With limited interventions addressing this issue, this study aimed to co-design a communication-based strategy to reduce stigma in th…
Psychosocial Impact of Breast Density Notification Through Breast Cancer Screening
INTRODUCTION: Breast density notification is now implemented in the United States and parts of Australia and Canada despite limited understanding of how it impacts women and their psychosocial health. This study explored the psychosocial impact of receiving a notification of dense breasts through a population-based breast cancer screening programme. METHODS: We interviewed 19 Australian women who indicated being anxious in a survey. This survey w…
Selling masculinity – A qualitative analysis of gender representations in social media content about “low T”
Testosterone has long been advertised through gendered messages that link masculinity with strength, sexual performance and vitality. In recent years, this marketing has moved onto social media, where platforms offer new ways to target audiences and shape ideas about men's health. This study examines how gender and masculinity are portrayed in social media content about testosterone testing and treatment on Instagram and TikTok. Using qualitative…
Psychology (6 works) · Global Cancer Incidence and Screening (5 works) · Medicine (5 works) · Breast cancer (3 works) · Digital Radiography and Breast Imaging (3 works) · Environmental health (3 works) · Family medicine (3 works) · Political science (3 works) · Population (3 works) · Qualitative research (3 works)