Epidemiology: Uncovering the Science of Public Health - Summer 2017

Assignment: Descriptive Epidemiology Case Study

To complete the assignment, access the following resource:

Howlader N, Noone AM, Krapcho M, Miller D, Bishop K, Kosary CL, Yu M, Ruhl J, Tatalovich Z, Mariotto A, Lewis DR, Chen HS, Feuer EJ, Cronin KA (eds). SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2014, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, , based on November 2016 SEER data submission, posted to the SEER web site, April 2017.

Find the link labeled "Browse the Tables and Figures" and click on it. You should now be at a webpage titled, "Browse the SEER Cancer Statistics Review 1975-2014." Now, find the information in the SEER Cancer Statistics Review to answer the following questions:

Overview  (Select "Overview" from the Section drop-down menu)

1)      How many males and females were estimated to be living with cancer in the U.S. as of January 1, 2014? (Table 1.23, Complete Prevalence Counts by Age; All Sites, All Ages)_________

2)      What percent of U.S. deaths did neoplasms (cancer) represent in 2014 for those under the age of 65?(Figure 1.3, Ages less than 65)

_______________

Annual Incidence Rates (Select the specific cancer site from the Section drop-down menu and then the appropriate table)

3)      Find the 2014annual incidence rates for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

a.       What was the 2014 annual incidence rate for both sexes? ________

b.      What was the 2014annual incidence rate for males? __________________

c.       What was the 2014annual incidence rate for females? _________________

d.      Describe each of these sex-specific rates for males and females in words by putting these data into a sentence (don't forget the denominators!). Then, discuss how these two rates compare to each other (for example, which rate is higher? By how much?)

4)      Find the 1975-2014annual incidence ratesfor urinary bladder cancer.

a.       What was the 1975-2014 annual incidence rate for males of all races? ______________

b.      What was the 1975-2014annual incidence rate for white males?______________

c.       What was the 1975-2014annual incidence rate for black males?____________

d.      Describe each of these race-specific rates for white males and black males in words by putting these data into a sentence (don't forget the denominators!). Then, discuss how these two rates compare to each other (for example, which rate is higher? By how much?)

5)      Which populations provided data for the calculation of these rates?

6)      The rates in this table are age-adjusted, which means that the differences in rates seen between the populations are not due to age. Why is it important to adjust for the effects of age, particularly for cancer incidence and mortality?

5-Year Relative and Period Survival (Select the specific cancer site from the Section drop-down menu and then the appropriate table)

7)      Find the 5-Year relative survival (%) for 2007-2013 by age at diagnosis for cervix uteri cancer (cervical cancer, all races).

a.       What was the 5-year relative survival for:

                                                               i.      Age <45? _____________

                                                             ii.      Age 45-54?_____________

                                                            iii.      Age 55-64?_____________

                                                           iv.      Age 65-74?______________

                                                             v.      Age 75+?________________

b.      Describe in words these differences in 5-year relative survival by age at diagnosis.

c.       Now look at these same age-specific statistics for Whites and Blacks. Describe any similarities or differences you see in the 5-year relative survival by age.

d.      Is the information in the table enough by itself to draw conclusions as to why these race-specific statistics are similar or different? Why or why not?

  Age-Adjusted Cancer Death Rates by State (Select the specific cancer site from the Section drop-down menu and then the appropriate table)

8)      Find the age-adjusted cancer death rates by state for colon and rectal cancer (both sexes):

a.       Which state has the highest age-adjusted death rate fromcolon and rectal cancer?____________

b.      Which state has the lowest age-adjusted death rate from colon and rectal cancer?____________

9)      Scroll down to the map of the United States showing the state-specific cancer death rates from colon and rectal cancer.

a.       In which regions of the United States are the states with the highest cancer death rates generally located? ____________

b.      In which regions of the United States are the states with the lowest cancer death rates generally located?___________

10)   Based on the information provided by this map, how would you geographically target public health strategies to reduce colon and rectal cancerdeath rate?  What epidemiological evidence does the map provide that is useful? What information does it not provide? Note: Do not just name general prevention strategies. Instead, use the information on the map to inform your answer.