Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Cancer Causes & Control 2/2007

01-03-2007 | Editorial

From epidemiology to cancer prevention: implications for the 21st Century

Author: Graham A. Colditz

Published in: Cancer Causes & Control | Issue 2/2007

Login to get access

Excerpt

As I move to Washington University School of Medicine and the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center I conclude my term as editor-in-chief of the journal. Over the past 8 years the journal has increased in number of issues and pages published per year, number of submission, and the scope of topics covered. The increase in articles reporting prevention interventions, risk communication, and related topics, reflects in part, the growing program of research funded by the US National Cancer Institute. As Dr. Giovannucci takes over as the Editor-in-Chief, bringing his extraordinary wealth of experience in nutrition and cancer to the leadership of the Journal, I will join the growing team of Associate Editors to work with him in the coming years. In the essay that follows, I reflect on the direction our field is taking. I also identify some of the challenges that we must address particularly in cancer epidemiology and cancer prevention more generally. To place this in context, we might consider that the emergence of the “genetic revolution” in medicine and public health provides hope and a distraction from the underlying mission of disease prevention, health promotion, and the reduction in the burden of cancer. Doll and Peto noted that uncovering the mechanism for an association is less important from a public health perspective than is knowing that the lifestyle factor causes cancer [1]. …
Literature
1.
go back to reference Doll R, Peto R (1981) The causes of cancer: quantitative estimates of avoidable risks of cancer in the United States Today. Oxford University Press, New York Doll R, Peto R (1981) The causes of cancer: quantitative estimates of avoidable risks of cancer in the United States Today. Oxford University Press, New York
2.
go back to reference Committee for the study of the future of public health (1988) The future of public health. National Academy Press, Washington, DC Committee for the study of the future of public health (1988) The future of public health. National Academy Press, Washington, DC
4.
go back to reference Rockhill B, Kawachi I, Colditz G (2000) Individual risk prediction and population-wide disease prevention. Epidemiol Rev 22:176–180PubMed Rockhill B, Kawachi I, Colditz G (2000) Individual risk prediction and population-wide disease prevention. Epidemiol Rev 22:176–180PubMed
5.
go back to reference Freedman AN, Seminara D, Gail MH et al (2005) Cancer risk prediction models: a workshop on development, evaluation, and application. J Natl Cancer Inst 97(10):715–723PubMed Freedman AN, Seminara D, Gail MH et al (2005) Cancer risk prediction models: a workshop on development, evaluation, and application. J Natl Cancer Inst 97(10):715–723PubMed
6.
go back to reference Wald N, Hackshaw A, Frost C (1999) When can a risk factor be used as a worthwhile screening test? BMJ 319:1562–1565PubMed Wald N, Hackshaw A, Frost C (1999) When can a risk factor be used as a worthwhile screening test? BMJ 319:1562–1565PubMed
7.
go back to reference Rockhill B, Spiegelman D, Byrne C, Hunter DJ, Colditz GA (2001) Validation of the Gail et al. model of breast cancer risk prediction and implications for chemoprevention. J Natl Cancer Inst 93(5):358–366PubMedCrossRef Rockhill B, Spiegelman D, Byrne C, Hunter DJ, Colditz GA (2001) Validation of the Gail et al. model of breast cancer risk prediction and implications for chemoprevention. J Natl Cancer Inst 93(5):358–366PubMedCrossRef
8.
go back to reference Colditz G, Rosner B (2000) Cumulative risk of breast cancer to age 70 years according to risk factor status: data from the Nurses’ Health Study. Am J Epidemiol 152(10):950–964PubMedCrossRef Colditz G, Rosner B (2000) Cumulative risk of breast cancer to age 70 years according to risk factor status: data from the Nurses’ Health Study. Am J Epidemiol 152(10):950–964PubMedCrossRef
9.
go back to reference D’Agostino RB Sr, Grundy S, Sullivan LM, Wilson P (2001) Validation of the Framingham coronary heart disease prediction scores: results of a multiple ethnic groups investigation. JAMA 286(2):180–187PubMedCrossRef D’Agostino RB Sr, Grundy S, Sullivan LM, Wilson P (2001) Validation of the Framingham coronary heart disease prediction scores: results of a multiple ethnic groups investigation. JAMA 286(2):180–187PubMedCrossRef
10.
11.
go back to reference Elmore JG, Fletcher SW (2006) The risk of cancer risk prediction: “What is my risk of getting breast cancer”? J Natl Cancer Inst 98(23):1673–1675PubMedCrossRef Elmore JG, Fletcher SW (2006) The risk of cancer risk prediction: “What is my risk of getting breast cancer”? J Natl Cancer Inst 98(23):1673–1675PubMedCrossRef
12.
go back to reference Bliss M (1999) William Osler. A life in medicine. Oxford University Press, Oxford Bliss M (1999) William Osler. A life in medicine. Oxford University Press, Oxford
13.
go back to reference Fee E (1991) Designing schools of public health for the United States. In: Fee E, Acheson R (eds) A history of education in public health. Oxford University Press, Oxford Fee E (1991) Designing schools of public health for the United States. In: Fee E, Acheson R (eds) A history of education in public health. Oxford University Press, Oxford
15.
go back to reference British Cardiac Society, British Hyperlipidaemic Society, British Hypertension Society, British Diabetic Association (2000) Joint British recommendations on prevention of coronary heart disease in clinical practice: summary. BMJ 320:705–708 British Cardiac Society, British Hyperlipidaemic Society, British Hypertension Society, British Diabetic Association (2000) Joint British recommendations on prevention of coronary heart disease in clinical practice: summary. BMJ 320:705–708
16.
go back to reference McKinlay J, Marceau L (2000) To boldly go.... Am J Public Health 90:25–33PubMed McKinlay J, Marceau L (2000) To boldly go.... Am J Public Health 90:25–33PubMed
17.
go back to reference Wynder ECJ, Schroff P et al (1954) A study of environmental factors in carcinoma of the cervix. Am J Obstet Gynecol 68:1016–1047PubMed Wynder ECJ, Schroff P et al (1954) A study of environmental factors in carcinoma of the cervix. Am J Obstet Gynecol 68:1016–1047PubMed
18.
go back to reference Boyd JT, Doll R (1964) A study of the aetiology of carcinoma of the cervix uteri. Br J Cancer 18:419–437 Boyd JT, Doll R (1964) A study of the aetiology of carcinoma of the cervix uteri. Br J Cancer 18:419–437
19.
go back to reference Pereyra A (1961) The relationship of sexual activity to cervical cancer. Obstet Gynecol 17:154–159PubMed Pereyra A (1961) The relationship of sexual activity to cervical cancer. Obstet Gynecol 17:154–159PubMed
20.
go back to reference Beral V (1974) Cancer of the cervix: a sexually transmitted infection? Lancet 1(7865):1037–1040 Beral V (1974) Cancer of the cervix: a sexually transmitted infection? Lancet 1(7865):1037–1040
21.
go back to reference Barrasso R, De Brux J, Croissant O, Orth G (1987) High prevalence of papillomavirus-associated penile intraepithelial neoplasia in sexual partners of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. N Engl J Med 317(15):916–923PubMedCrossRef Barrasso R, De Brux J, Croissant O, Orth G (1987) High prevalence of papillomavirus-associated penile intraepithelial neoplasia in sexual partners of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. N Engl J Med 317(15):916–923PubMedCrossRef
22.
go back to reference Schiffman MH, Bauer J, Hoover R et al (1993) Epidemiologic evidence showing that human papillomavirus infection causes most cervical intrepthelial neoplasia. J Natl Cancer Inst 85:958–964PubMedCrossRef Schiffman MH, Bauer J, Hoover R et al (1993) Epidemiologic evidence showing that human papillomavirus infection causes most cervical intrepthelial neoplasia. J Natl Cancer Inst 85:958–964PubMedCrossRef
23.
go back to reference Grissmann LWL, Ikenberg H et al (1993) Human papilloma virus types 6 and 11 DNA sequences in genital and laryngeal papillomas and in some cervical cancers. Proc Natl Acad of Sci USA 80:560–563CrossRef Grissmann LWL, Ikenberg H et al (1993) Human papilloma virus types 6 and 11 DNA sequences in genital and laryngeal papillomas and in some cervical cancers. Proc Natl Acad of Sci USA 80:560–563CrossRef
24.
go back to reference Schiffman MH, Brinton LA (1995) The epidemiology of cervical carcinogenesis. Cancer 76(10 Suppl):1888–1901PubMedCrossRef Schiffman MH, Brinton LA (1995) The epidemiology of cervical carcinogenesis. Cancer 76(10 Suppl):1888–1901PubMedCrossRef
25.
go back to reference Koutsky LA, Ault KA, Wheeler CM et al (2002) A controlled trial of a human papillomavirus type 16 vaccine. N Engl J Med 347(21):1645–1651PubMedCrossRef Koutsky LA, Ault KA, Wheeler CM et al (2002) A controlled trial of a human papillomavirus type 16 vaccine. N Engl J Med 347(21):1645–1651PubMedCrossRef
26.
go back to reference Winer RL, Hughes JP, Feng Q et al (2006) Condom use and the risk of genital human papillomavirus infection in young women. N Engl J Med 354(25):2645–2654PubMedCrossRef Winer RL, Hughes JP, Feng Q et al (2006) Condom use and the risk of genital human papillomavirus infection in young women. N Engl J Med 354(25):2645–2654PubMedCrossRef
27.
28.
go back to reference Richmond J (1969) Currents in American Medicine. A developmental view of medical care and education. Harvard University Press, Cambridge Richmond J (1969) Currents in American Medicine. A developmental view of medical care and education. Harvard University Press, Cambridge
29.
go back to reference McMichael A (1994) Invited commentary: molecular epidemiology. New pathway or new travelling companion. Am J Epidemiol 140:1–11PubMed McMichael A (1994) Invited commentary: molecular epidemiology. New pathway or new travelling companion. Am J Epidemiol 140:1–11PubMed
30.
go back to reference Hunter DJ, Riboli E, Haiman CA et al (2005) A candidate gene approach to searching for low-penetrance breast and prostate cancer genes. Nat Rev Cancer 5(12):977–985PubMedCrossRef Hunter DJ, Riboli E, Haiman CA et al (2005) A candidate gene approach to searching for low-penetrance breast and prostate cancer genes. Nat Rev Cancer 5(12):977–985PubMedCrossRef
31.
go back to reference Seminara D, Khoury MJ, O’Brien TR et al (2007) The emergence of networks in human genome epidemiology: challenges and opportunities. Epidemiology 18(1):1–8PubMedCrossRef Seminara D, Khoury MJ, O’Brien TR et al (2007) The emergence of networks in human genome epidemiology: challenges and opportunities. Epidemiology 18(1):1–8PubMedCrossRef
32.
go back to reference Rothman KJ, Greenland S (1998) Modern Epidemiology. 2nd edn. Lippincott-Raven Publishers, Philadelphia Rothman KJ, Greenland S (1998) Modern Epidemiology. 2nd edn. Lippincott-Raven Publishers, Philadelphia
33.
go back to reference Kennedy D (1997) Academic duty. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press Kennedy D (1997) Academic duty. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press
34.
go back to reference Richmond J, Kotelchuck M (1991) Coordination and development of strategies and policy for public health promotion in the United States. In: Holland W, Detel R, Know G (eds) Oxford textbook of public health. Oxford University Press, Oxford Richmond J, Kotelchuck M (1991) Coordination and development of strategies and policy for public health promotion in the United States. In: Holland W, Detel R, Know G (eds) Oxford textbook of public health. Oxford University Press, Oxford
35.
go back to reference Berlin J, Colditz G (1990) A meta-analysis of physical activity in the prevention of coronary heart disease. Am J Epidemiol 132:612–628PubMed Berlin J, Colditz G (1990) A meta-analysis of physical activity in the prevention of coronary heart disease. Am J Epidemiol 132:612–628PubMed
36.
go back to reference Colditz GA, Cannuscio CC, Frazier AL (1997) Physical activity and colon cancer prevention. Cancer Causes Control 8:649–667PubMedCrossRef Colditz GA, Cannuscio CC, Frazier AL (1997) Physical activity and colon cancer prevention. Cancer Causes Control 8:649–667PubMedCrossRef
37.
go back to reference U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (1996) Physical activity and health: a report of the Surgeon General. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Atlanta, Georgia U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (1996) Physical activity and health: a report of the Surgeon General. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Atlanta, Georgia
38.
go back to reference International Agency for Research on Cancer (2002) Weight control and physical activity. International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon International Agency for Research on Cancer (2002) Weight control and physical activity. International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon
39.
40.
go back to reference Rockhill B, Colditz G (2000) Physical activity and cancer prevention. In: Colditz G, Hunter D (Eds) Cancer prevention: the causes and prevention of cancer. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston, pp 219–233 Rockhill B, Colditz G (2000) Physical activity and cancer prevention. In: Colditz G, Hunter D (Eds) Cancer prevention: the causes and prevention of cancer. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston, pp 219–233
41.
go back to reference Brownson RC, Haire-Joshu D, Luke DA (2006) Shaping the context of health: a review of environmental and policy approaches in the prevention of chronic diseases. Annu Rev Public Health 27:341–370PubMedCrossRef Brownson RC, Haire-Joshu D, Luke DA (2006) Shaping the context of health: a review of environmental and policy approaches in the prevention of chronic diseases. Annu Rev Public Health 27:341–370PubMedCrossRef
42.
go back to reference Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Ogden CL, Johnson CL (2002) Prevalence and trends in obesity among US adults, 1999–2000. JAMA 288(14):1723–1727PubMedCrossRef Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Ogden CL, Johnson CL (2002) Prevalence and trends in obesity among US adults, 1999–2000. JAMA 288(14):1723–1727PubMedCrossRef
43.
go back to reference Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group (2002) Reduction in the Incidence of Type 2 diabetes with lifestyle intervention or metformin. N Engl J Med 346(6):393–403CrossRef Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group (2002) Reduction in the Incidence of Type 2 diabetes with lifestyle intervention or metformin. N Engl J Med 346(6):393–403CrossRef
44.
go back to reference Lilienfeld AM (1956) The relationship of cancer of the female breast to artificial menopause and marital status. Cancer 9:927–934PubMedCrossRef Lilienfeld AM (1956) The relationship of cancer of the female breast to artificial menopause and marital status. Cancer 9:927–934PubMedCrossRef
45.
go back to reference Colditz GA, Tamimi BH (2006) Epidemiology of breast cancer. In: Schottenfeld D, Fraumeni JF Jr (Eds) Cancer epidemiology and prevention. Oxford University Press, NY Colditz GA, Tamimi BH (2006) Epidemiology of breast cancer. In: Schottenfeld D, Fraumeni JF Jr (Eds) Cancer epidemiology and prevention. Oxford University Press, NY
46.
go back to reference Curry S, Byers T, Hewitt M (2003) Fulfilling the potential of cancer prevention and early detection. National Academy Press, Washington, DC Curry S, Byers T, Hewitt M (2003) Fulfilling the potential of cancer prevention and early detection. National Academy Press, Washington, DC
47.
go back to reference Colditz G, Rosner B, Speizer F (1996) Risk factors for breast cancer according to family history of breast cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 88:365–371PubMedCrossRef Colditz G, Rosner B, Speizer F (1996) Risk factors for breast cancer according to family history of breast cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 88:365–371PubMedCrossRef
48.
go back to reference Anonymous (1993) World Bank. Social indicators of development. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore Anonymous (1993) World Bank. Social indicators of development. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore
49.
go back to reference Atwood K, Colditz G, Kawachi I (1997) Implementing prevention policies: relevance of the Richmond model to health policy judgments. Am J Public Health 87:1603–1606PubMed Atwood K, Colditz G, Kawachi I (1997) Implementing prevention policies: relevance of the Richmond model to health policy judgments. Am J Public Health 87:1603–1606PubMed
50.
go back to reference Wegman D (1992) The potential impact of epidemiology on the prevention of occupational disease. Am J Public Health 82:944–954PubMedCrossRef Wegman D (1992) The potential impact of epidemiology on the prevention of occupational disease. Am J Public Health 82:944–954PubMedCrossRef
52.
Metadata
Title
From epidemiology to cancer prevention: implications for the 21st Century
Author
Graham A. Colditz
Publication date
01-03-2007
Publisher
Kluwer Academic Publishers
Published in
Cancer Causes & Control / Issue 2/2007
Print ISSN: 0957-5243
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7225
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-007-0117-z

Other articles of this Issue 2/2007

Cancer Causes & Control 2/2007 Go to the issue
Webinar | 19-02-2024 | 17:30 (CET)

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on antibody–drug conjugates in cancer

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are novel agents that have shown promise across multiple tumor types. Explore the current landscape of ADCs in breast and lung cancer with our experts, and gain insights into the mechanism of action, key clinical trials data, existing challenges, and future directions.

Dr. Véronique Diéras
Prof. Fabrice Barlesi
Developed by: Springer Medicine