Why Are Retrospective Studies Important in Cancer Research?
Retrospective studies are crucial in cancer research for several reasons:
Cost-efficient: These studies utilize existing data, making them less expensive than prospective studies. Time-saving: Since the data is already collected, the study can be conducted relatively quickly. Hypothesis generation: They help in generating hypotheses that can be tested in future prospective studies or clinical trials. Rare conditions: They are particularly useful for studying rare cancers, where prospective data might be limited.