Examining and interpreting trends in epidemiological measures
In this activity, you will examine and interpret lung cancer
incidence
rates in the United States over a 40 year period and compare trends over time between males and females.
Step 1:
Access the
SEER*Explorer
(Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program) data from the U.S National Cancer Institute. Spend at least 10 minutes exploring the data and the functionality of this interactive data-generating tool.
Step 2:
Generate a graph that illustrates the incidence rates for lung cancer from 1975 to 2017. Ensure that your data set contains information on both sexes.
Use the Seer*Explorer to generate the graph. Make the following selections in the dropdown menus: ‘Lung & Bronchus’ for Choose Cancer Site, ‘SEER Incidence’ for Data Source, 'Race/Ethnicity' for Characteristics to Compare, ‘Both Sexes’ for Sex, ‘All Races (includes Hispanics)’ for Race/Ethnicity Legend, and ‘All Ages’ for Age. Once you have generated the graph, be sure to read the information regarding the 'Data Source' found below the graph to ensure you understand how the data were generated. Click on 'Download and Share' to access the option to save the image.
Step 3:
Answer each of the following questions about the data on cancer incidence in 100 words or less.
1. What types of incidence rates are being presented here?
2. What do the crude incidence rates tell us?
3. What do age-adjusted rates tell us?
4. Why is it important to age-adjust the rate?
Describe the change in U.S. lung cancer incidence from 1975 to 2017 in both men and women combined. Discuss the factors that may account for the observed trends during this time period. Be sure to include a copy of your graph in your completed assignment. Your answer should contain a maximum of 250 words. Be sure to include a copy of your graph in your completed assignment.
Step 4:
Generate a new graph that illustrates the incidence rates for lung cancer in males from 1975 to 2017. Next, include the incidence rates for lung cancer in females during the same time period. Save the graphs.
Step 5:
Compare and contrast lung cancer incidence rates in males and in females from 1975 to 2017. Discuss the factors that may account for any observed differences. Be sure to justify your answer. Be sure to include a copy of your graphs in your completed assignment. Your answer should contain about 150 words.
Step 6:
Discuss why it is important for public health practitioners to examine trends in incidence rates over time. Your answer should contain about 150 words.
Please be sure to adhere to the following when posting your weekly discussions:
1. Students are to write their name and the appropriate
discussion number/discussion title in the title bar for each discussion. For
example
Discussion 1: Micheal Cabrera or Discussion 3: Sheila Smith. This is important in identifying that students are submitting original posts as well as response posts as required.
2. Students are to submit their discussions
directly onto Blackboard Discussion Board.Attachments submitted as discussion board posts will not be graded.
3. As a reminder,
all discussion posts must be minimum 500-550 words, references
mustbe cited in
APA format 7th Edition, and must include minimum of
3 scholarly resources published within the past 5-7
years (not part of the classroom coursework).
DISCUSSION POSTS WILL BE DUE NO LATER THAN SUNDAY, by 11:59 pm