Impact of Enquiries on Cancer Mortality Data in England and Wales
Author Information
Author(s): A.J. Swerdlow
Primary Institution: Medical Statistics Division, Office of Population Censuses and Surveys
Hypothesis
How do enquiries to certifiers affect cancer mortality data in England and Wales?
Conclusion
Enquiries to certifiers can significantly alter cancer mortality statistics, leading to substantial artefacts in the data.
Supporting Evidence
- Changes in enquiry policy can alter published mortality rates by several hundred percent.
- Enquiries can increase the number of deaths coded to specific cancers by significant percentages.
- Data from 1986 showed that certain cancer sites had their mortality rates altered by medical enquiries.
Takeaway
When doctors are asked for more information about death certificates, it can change the numbers we see for cancer deaths, sometimes a lot.
Methodology
The study reviews historical data and policies regarding medical enquiries related to cancer mortality in England and Wales.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from incomplete data and changes in enquiry practices over time.
Limitations
The study relies on historical data which may not fully capture the effects of enquiries on mortality statistics.
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