Design issues in cancer screening trials.
Randomised controlled trials avoid many of the potential biases associated with the evaluation of cancer screening. Nevertheless there are many issues concerning the design of such trials that require careful consideration and that will influence interpretation of the results. This article discusses issues related to recruitment and randomisation, which will affect the extent to which the population studied, is representative of the eventual target population of a screening programme. It addresses sample size considerations, the use of appropriate outcome measures and the timing of the intervention. Finally, issues related to ensuring appropriate analyses are discussed.
Moss
Sue
S
Cancer Screening Evaluation Unit, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey, UK. sue.moss@icr.ac.uk
D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004989:Ethics; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007258:Informed Consent; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D018401:Sample Size