Risk assessment models to estimate cancer probabilities.

Cancer risk has become a significant research topic due to an increase in statistical risk models built to predict cancer incidence or mortality. Over the past 3 years, 15 models on the development of different types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, prostate, gastric, lung, ovarian, pancreatic, testicular, and skin, have been published. Risk assessment models are dynamic; they need to be updated as often as risks are discovered or changed. Not only are cancer risk models challenging to build, but, due to literacy-related issues, the cancer risk itself is challenging to communicate to the public. Clearly, guidelines outlining how to create valid and reliable risk assessment models are needed.

Duke Scholars

Author Constance Margaret Johnson School of Nursing