Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Contributors
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Historical introduction
- PART I Epidemiological methods
- 1 Introduction to cancer epidemiology
- 2 Descriptive epidemiology: the measurement of human cancer
- 3 Analytical epidemiology: techniques to determine causal relationships
- 4 Limitations of epidemiological methods in cancer studies: study of low-level risks: negative studies
- 5 Laboratory methods in epidemiology
- PART II Causative factors in human cancer
- PART III Legal and ethical considerations
- PART IV Introduction: total and specific site epidemiology
- PART V Buccal cavity
- PART VI Digestive system
- PART VII Respiratory system
- PART VIII Bone and soft tissue
- PART IX Skin
- PART X Breast and genitourinary system
- PART XI Eye and nervous system
- PART XII Thyroid and other endocrine glands, lymphoid and hematopoietic system
- PART XIII Cancers in children and multiple primary cancers
- Conclusions
- Appendix 1 Cancer statistics
- Appendix 2 A glossary of epidemiological terms
- Appendix 3 Acronyms and abbreviations
- Supplement
- Index
3 - Analytical epidemiology: techniques to determine causal relationships
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 May 2010
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Contributors
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Historical introduction
- PART I Epidemiological methods
- 1 Introduction to cancer epidemiology
- 2 Descriptive epidemiology: the measurement of human cancer
- 3 Analytical epidemiology: techniques to determine causal relationships
- 4 Limitations of epidemiological methods in cancer studies: study of low-level risks: negative studies
- 5 Laboratory methods in epidemiology
- PART II Causative factors in human cancer
- PART III Legal and ethical considerations
- PART IV Introduction: total and specific site epidemiology
- PART V Buccal cavity
- PART VI Digestive system
- PART VII Respiratory system
- PART VIII Bone and soft tissue
- PART IX Skin
- PART X Breast and genitourinary system
- PART XI Eye and nervous system
- PART XII Thyroid and other endocrine glands, lymphoid and hematopoietic system
- PART XIII Cancers in children and multiple primary cancers
- Conclusions
- Appendix 1 Cancer statistics
- Appendix 2 A glossary of epidemiological terms
- Appendix 3 Acronyms and abbreviations
- Supplement
- Index
Summary
In an analytic study, information on exposure to risk factors and on disease outcome are known for each individual in the investigation. Two analytical strategies are available to the epidemiologist for exploring causal cancer relationships. First, is the experimental or interventional approach, in which the investigator can determine the randomized entrance of an individual into the exposed (treatment) and nonexposed (control) groups. This type of study can most accurately address the question of causation.
The second type of study is the non-experimental or observational approach, in which the investigator has no active control over risk factors, but must assess such factors and disease outcome in the natural setting of the study. Study groups to be compared are based either on the presence or absence of disease (case-control) or of risk factors (cohort). On their own, these studies are generally less persuasive in addressing causation than experimental studies. Nevertheless, non-experimental studies do permit examination both of multiple etiological causes for a single disease (case-control) and of multiple diseases for a single cause (cohort).
A considerable literature exists on the techniques of analytical epidemiology which can only be outlined here. Reference should be made to the standard texts for further information (Breslow & Day, 1980, 1987; Lilienfeld & Lilienfeld, 1980; Schlesselman, 1982; Kelsey et al., 1986; Meinert, 1986; Rothman, 1986; Weiss, 1986; Hennekens & Burning, 1987; Checkoway et al., 1989; Kahn & Sempos, 1989). Associated laboratory studies are described in Chapter 5.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Human CancerEpidemiology and Environmental Causes, pp. 27 - 38Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1992