Verification of the Cause of Death in Breast Cancer Screening Trial
Author Information
Author(s): J. Chamberlain, D. Coleman, R. Ellman, S. Moss
Primary Institution: Institute of Cancer Research
Hypothesis
How reliable are death certificates in identifying breast cancer deaths in a screening trial?
Conclusion
The certified cause of death without review is adequate for evaluating breast cancer screening programs in the UK.
Supporting Evidence
- Definite errors were found in 1% of cases, with suspected errors in 5%.
- Uncertainty about the cause of death was recorded for 27% of cases.
- The overall bias in reporting breast cancer deaths was less than 1%.
- Agreement between assessors and death certificates was 94%.
Takeaway
This study looked at how accurate death certificates are for breast cancer patients. It found that most of the time, they get it right.
Methodology
The study reviewed death certificates and medical records of women diagnosed with breast cancer after entering the trial.
Potential Biases
There was potential bias due to the non-blind review process and variability in record-keeping across districts.
Limitations
The study faced issues with record quality and availability, leading to some unreviewed cases.
Participant Demographics
Women aged 45 to 72 diagnosed with breast cancer after trial entry.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
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