Final answer:
The question requires analyzing a polynomial that models the rate of new lung cancer cases per 100,000 females from 1975 to 2011, with years since 1975 represented by 't'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question pertains to a mathematical function that approximates the rate of new lung cancer cases per 100,000 females over a period of time. The variable 't' in the given polynomial represents the number of years since 1975; for example, t=0 corresponds to 1975, t=1 to 1976, and so on. To provide an accurate answer, the actual polynomial function would be needed, which would then allow us to calculate rates for specific years or analyze trends over the time period from 1975 to 2011.
Cancer research has revealed that tobacco smoking is the major cause of primary lung cancer, accounting for about 85% of cases. Education on this topic often includes data from historical studies, such as the Doll and Hill study, which followed a cohort of British male physicians over 50 years. This study, and others like it, have continually reinforced the causal relationship between smoking and lung cancer.
When dealing with health-related statistics such as cancer rates, mathematical models play a crucial role in understanding trends and making predictions. These models can inform public health decisions and guide efforts to reduce the incidence and mortality of cancer. An understanding of mathematical functions and their application in epidemiology is essential for interpreting such data correctly.