We regularly review new research into the causes of cancer to ensure our information is up to date and based on the best quality evidence. We develop our information by looking at a lot of research done over many years. So while new research is coming out all the time, it's unlikely that any new research would change our opinion on a subject.
Some studies tell us better than others how different factors influence cancer risk. These are some things we take into account:
- So the research into cells, animals or people?
Studies in animals and cells can help scientists understand how cancer works, but they can't always tell us how this applies to humans. That is why we focus on human studies.
- How big is the investigation and how long did it take?
Research among small numbers of people is not very reliable because the results are more likely to be due to chance. And studies that follow people for only a short time may miss long-term effects. So we mainly look at studies that follow thousands of people over many years.
- Did the study take into account other factors that may influence a person's cancer risk?
There are many factors that can influence a person's risk of cancer. Studies must take into account known risk factors. For example, when looking at air pollution and lung cancer, it should also be checked whether the participants smoked.
- Where was the research published and who funded it?
It is important to see if a study has been published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. This means that other experts have checked the results. It is also important to know who funded the research, as this can influence the results. Cancer Research UK, for example, ignores research funded by the tobacco industry.
How to find accurate information about cancer
Sometimes news media exaggerate stories about cancer. It's helpful to think about some of the questions above to assess a news story. But the most important thing is to get information from a reliable sourceour websiteInNHS.
One way to know if you can trust health information is to check whether the Patient Information Forum (PIF) has accredited it. PIF ensures that information is based on current evidence and is of high quality.
The Patient Information Forum checkbox looks like this.
You can read more about itspotting fake news about canceron our blog.
