Failure of researchers, reviewers, editors, and the media to understand flaws in cancer screening studies: Application to an article in Cancer. Issue 18 (12th June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Berry, Donald A.
• Is Part Of: Cancer. Volume 120:Issue 18(2014)
• Page Start: 2784
• Page End: 2791
• Publication Date: 2014-06-12
• Subjects: Cancer -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Cytopathology -- Periodicals; 616.99405
• DOI: 10.1002/cncr.28795
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0008-543X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Observational studies present inferential challenges. These challenges are acute in cancer screening studies, in which lead‐time and length biases are ever present. These biases can make any study worthless. Moreover, a flawed study's impact on the public can be deleterious when its conclusions are publicized by a naïve media. Flawed studies can also make the public learn to be wary of any article or reports of articles claiming to be scientific. Here, the author addresses these and related issues in the context of a study published in <italic>Cancer</italic>. <bold><italic>Cancer</italic> 2014;120:2784–2791.</bold> © <italic>2014 American Cancer Society</italic>.</p> </abstract>