title: The use of logistic regression for modelling risk factors: with application to non-melanoma skin cancer.
abstract: Logistic regression was used to estimate the "relative" risk of basal and squamous skin cancer for such factors as cumulative lifetime solar exposure, age, complexion, and tannability. In previous reports, a subject's exposure was estimated indirectly, by latitude, or by the number of sun days in a subject's habitat. In contrast, these results are based on interview data gathered for each subject. A relatively new technique was used to estimate "relative" risk by controlling for confounding and testing for effect modification. A linear effect for the "relative" risk of cancer versus exposure was found. Tannability was shown to be a more important risk factor than complexion. This result is consistent with the work of Silverstone and Searle.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000209:etiology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000209:etiology; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D008722:Methods; D008954:Models, Biological; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology*; D012306:Risk; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000528:radiation effects; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*