Question

The diets of 250 patients with pancreatic cancer are compared to the diets of 250 healthy individuals, over a four-month period. The patients and controls are matched one for one for age, sex, and body mass index. The cancer patients tended to eat more barbecued meat, and none of them were vegetarians. The healthy group included 30 vegetarians, and only four of the 250 regularly ate barbecued meat. The researchers conclude that it would be worthwhile to further test the hypothesis that compounds in charred meat cause pancreatic cancer. What type of study is this?

a) Cohort study
b) Case-control study
c) Cross-sectional study
d) Randomized controlled trial

Answer 1

The study in question is a case-control study, which is designed to compare the past exposure (dietary habits) of individuals with a specific condition (pancreatic cancer) to those without it. The findings suggest a potential link between charred meat consumption and increased pancreatic cancer risk, supporting further investigation. The correct answer is option b) Case-control study.

Step-by-step explanation:

The study described where the diets of 250 patients with pancreatic cancer are compared to the diets of 250 healthy individuals is an example of a case-control study. In this type of study, researchers look back retrospectively to compare the exposure, such as dietary habits, of individuals with a specific condition (in this case, pancreatic cancer) to those without the condition (controls). The goal is to identify factors that may contribute to the presence of the disease.

As mentioned in the question, the researchers found that those with pancreatic cancer consumed more barbecued meat compared to the healthy group. This finding supports the hypothesis that compounds like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or heterocyclic aromatic amines, which are often found in charred meat from cooking methods using high heat such as barbecuing, could be linked to an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.

The correct answer to the question is option b) Case-control study. This type of study is particularly useful for investigating rare conditions, such as pancreatic cancer, where it would be less efficient to follow a large group of individuals over time to see who develops the disease as would be done in a cohort study.