Cancer epidemiology
-
Cancer epidemiology · Oct 2021
Association between disparities in intergenerational economic mobility and cause-specific mortality among Black and White persons in the United States.
Evidence about the association between structural racism and mortality in the United States is limited. We examined the association between ongoing structural racism, measured as inequalities in adulthood income between White and Black children with similar parental household income (economic mobility gap) in a recent birth cohort, and Black-White disparities in death rates (mortality gap) overall and for major causes. ⋯ Economic mobility gap conditional on parental income in a recent birth cohort as a marker of ongoing structural racism is strongly associated with Black-White disparities in all-cause mortality and mortality from several causes.
-
Cancer epidemiology · Aug 2020
CT scans in childhood predict subsequent brain cancer: Finite mixture modelling can help separate reverse causation scans from those that may be causal.
Excess brain cancers observed after computed tomography (CT) scans could be caused by ionizing radiation. However, as scans are often used to investigate symptoms of brain cancer, excess cancers could also be due to reverse causation bias. We used finite mixture models (FMM) to differentiate CT exposures that are plausibly causal from those due to reverse causation. ⋯ To minimize reverse causation bias in studies of CT scan and brain cancer, the optimal exclusion period is one to two years (depending on the choice of classifier). This information will inform the interpretation of current and future studies.
-
Cancer epidemiology · Dec 2019
Patient non-attendance at urgent referral appointments for suspected cancer and its links to cancer diagnosis and one year mortality: A cohort study of patients referred on the Two Week Wait pathway.
The 'Two Week Wait' policy aims to ensure patients with suspected cancer are seen within two weeks of referral. However, patient non-attendance can result in this target being missed. This study aimed to identify predictors of non-attendance; and analyse the relationship between attendance and outcomes including cancer diagnosis and early mortality. ⋯ Non-attendance at urgent referral appointments for suspected cancer involves a minority of patients but happens in predictable groups. Cancer diagnosis was less likely in non-attending patients but these patients had worse early mortality outcomes than attending patients. The study findings have implications for cancer services and policy.
-
Cancer epidemiology · Apr 2019
Meta AnalysisIndoor tanning and skin cancer in Canada: A meta-analysis and attributable burden estimation.
Consistent epidemiologic and experimental studies have demonstrated that UV-emitting tanning devices cause melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The purpose of this study was to estimate the relative risk of skin cancer associated with the use of indoor tanning devices relevant to Canada, to estimate the proportion and number of skin cancers in Canada in 2015 that were attributable to indoor tanning, and to explore differences by age and sex. ⋯ Indoor tanning contributes to a considerable burden of skin cancer in Canada. Strategies aimed at reducing use should be increased and a total ban or restrictions on use and UV-intensity should be considered by health regulators.
-
Cancer epidemiology · Aug 2018
Avoidable colorectal cancer cases in Denmark - The impact of red and processed meat.
High red and processed meat intakes are associated with increased colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. The effect of eliminating or reducing red and processed meat consumption on CRC burden was not previously quantified in Denmark. The aim of this study was to calculate the possible effects of reductions in red and processed meat consumption on future CRC incidence in the Danish adult population. ⋯ Decreased red and processed meat consumption could reduce the burden of CRC markedly in Denmark. These results can assist public health planners and help highlight the important role of a modest but realistic reduction in meat consumption in the prevention of CRC.