What Are the Key Study Designs in Cancer Epidemiology?
Various study designs are utilized in cancer epidemiology, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Cohort studies follow a group of people over time to assess how risk factors influence the incidence of cancer. Case-control studies compare individuals with cancer (cases) to those without (controls) to identify factors that may contribute to cancer risk. Cross-sectional studies assess the prevalence of cancer at a single point in time, providing a snapshot of the disease burden. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are used to test interventions, such as new treatments or preventive strategies.
