title: Biomarkers: a molecular approach to cancer epidemiology.
abstract: The rapidly evolving field of molecular epidemiology represents a paradigm shift in medical research, illustrating the convergence of basic, clinical and epidemiologic research, as well as the application of laboratory methods to population studies. As a complement and improvement to traditional epidemiologic approaches, the use of biomarkers offers more accurate exposure assessment at an individual level, better understanding of the biological mechanism of carcinogenesis by tracking a continuum of events between exposure and disease, as well as the ability to discern host or genetic factors that may account for variations in cancer susceptibility among individuals or ethnic populations. Further, biomarkers have also proved useful in cancer diagnosis and prognosis. This article attempts to review the latest progress in molecular cancer epidemiology and to summarise the current state of research in Singapore.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community, Occupational and Family Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Seow
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Chia
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology / Q000639:trends*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D012106:Research; D012846:Singapore
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor