Several criteria, often referred to as the Bradford Hill criteria, are used to assess causation in epidemiological research:
1. Strength of Association: A strong association between exposure and disease increases the likelihood of a causal relationship. 2. Consistency: Repeated observations of the association in different populations and settings strengthen the causal inference. 3. Specificity: A specific exposure leading to a specific cancer type supports causation. 4. Temporality: The cause must precede the effect. 5. Biological Gradient: A dose-response relationship, where higher exposure leads to higher cancer risk, supports causation. 6. Plausibility: The association must be biologically plausible based on existing knowledge. 7. Coherence: The association should be consistent with the natural history and biology of the disease. 8. Experimental Evidence: Evidence from experiments, such as RCTs or animal studies, strengthens the causal claim. 9. Analogy: Similarities with known causal relationships can support new causal hypotheses.
