American Journal of Epidemiology

This Article FREE Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Personal Archive Download to citation manager Search for citing articles in: ISI Web of Science (67) Request Permissions Disclaimer Google Scholar Articles by Bergmann, M. M. Articles by Health, C. W. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Bergmann, M. M. Articles by Health, C. W. Social Bookmarking          What's this?

American Journal of Epidemiology Vol. 147, No. 6: 556-562
Copyright © 1998 by The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health

research-article

Validity of self-reported Cancers in a Propsective Cohort Study in Comparison with Data from State Cancer Registries

Manuela M. Bergmann¹, Eugenia E. Calle^2,, Cynthia A. Mervis², Heidi L. Miracle-McMahill², Michael J. Thun² and Clark W. Health²

¹German Institute of Human Nutrition Postdam-Rehbrucke. Germany
²Department of Epidemilogy and Surveillance Research, American Cancer Soceity Atlanta, GA

Reprint requests to Dr.Eugenia E.Calle, American Cancer Soceity, 1959 Clifton Rd, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329–4251

The accuracy of self-reported cancer diagnoses in a prospective study was compared with population based cancer registry data in four states. The study cohort included 65,582 men and women aged 39–96 years who were participants in the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Survey, begun by the American Cancer Society in 1992. Estimates of sensitivity (the proportion of study participants with a registry-documented cancer who self-reported the cancer) ranged from 0.79 for an exact match of cancer site and year of diagnosis (±1 year) to 0.93 for a match of any reported cancer. The sensitivity of exact matches varied considerably by cancer site and was highest for breast, prostate, and lung cancers (0.91, 0.90, and 0.90, respectively) and lowest for rectal cancer and melanoma (0.16 and 0.53, respectively). Sensitivity also varied slightly by the age, education, and smoking status of study participants. Estimates of sensitivity were virtually identical for each of the four states. The positive predictive value (the proportion of self-reported cancers that were confirmed by the registries) was 0.75 overall and also varied by cancer site. Unlike sensitivity, however, this proportion varied considerably by state. All self-reports of cancer that were not confirmed by the registries were further investigated by repeat questionnaires and acquisition of medical records. Low positive predictive values were due to underascertainment of true cancer cases by the registries, inaccurate reporting on the part of study participants, and problems with the algorithm used by the state to link the study poplation to the registry data. In conclusion, the ability of members of this cohort to report a past diagnosis of cancer accurately is quite high, especially for cancers of the breast, prostate, lung, and colon, or for the occurrence of any cancer.

follow-up studies; neoplasms; recall; registries; sensitivity and specificity

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. S. Hildebrand, E. J. Jacobs, P. T. Campbell, M. L. McCullough, L. R. Teras, M. J. Thun, and S. M. Gapstur Colorectal Cancer Incidence and Postmenopausal Hormone Use by Type, Recency, and Duration in Cancer Prevention Study II Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., November 1, 2009; 18(11): 2835 - 2841. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. R. Daniel, M. L. McCullough, R. C. Patel, E. J. Jacobs, W. D. Flanders, M. J. Thun, and E. E. Calle Dietary Intake of {omega}-6 and {omega}-3 Fatty Acids and Risk of Colorectal Cancer in a Prospective Cohort of U.S. Men and Women Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., February 1, 2009; 18(2): 516 - 525. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. M. Ferrante, P. Ohman-Strickland, K. A. Hahn, S. V. Hudson, E. K. Shaw, J. C. Crosson, and B. F. Crabtree Self-report versus Medical Records for Assessing Cancer-Preventive Services Delivery Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., November 1, 2008; 17(11): 2987 - 2994. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. L. McCullough, E. V. Bandera, R. Patel, A. V. Patel, T. Gansler, L. H. Kushi, M. J. Thun, and E. E. Calle A Prospective Study of Fruits, Vegetables, and Risk of Endometrial Cancer Am. J. Epidemiol., October 15, 2007; 166(8): 902 - 911. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C.-C. Hong, C. B. Ambrosone, J. Ahn, J.-Y. Choi, M. L. McCullough, V. L. Stevens, C. Rodriguez, M. J. Thun, and E. E. Calle Genetic Variability in Iron-Related Oxidative Stress Pathways (Nrf2, NQ01, NOS3, and HO-1), Iron Intake, and Risk of Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., September 1, 2007; 16(9): 1784 - 1794. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. J. Jacobs, M. J. Thun, E. B. Bain, C. Rodriguez, S. J. Henley, and E. E. Calle A Large Cohort Study of Long-Term Daily Use of Adult-Strength Aspirin and Cancer Incidence J Natl Cancer Inst, April 18, 2007; 99(8): 608 - 615. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Rodriguez, S. J. Freedland, A. Deka, E. J. Jacobs, M. L. McCullough, A. V. Patel, M. J. Thun, and E. E. Calle Body Mass Index, Weight Change, and Risk of Prostate Cancer in the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., January 1, 2007; 16(1): 63 - 69. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C Navarro, M D Chirlaque, M J Tormo, D Perez-Flores, M Rodriguez-Barranco, A Sanchez-Villegas, A Agudo, G Pera, P Amiano, M Dorronsoro, et al. Validity of self reported diagnoses of cancer in a major Spanish prospective cohort study. J Epidemiol Community Health, July 1, 2006; 60(7): 593 - 599. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. V. Patel, C. Rodriguez, A. L. Pavluck, M. J. Thun, and E. E. Calle Recreational Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Relation to Ovarian Cancer Risk in a Large Cohort of US Women Am. J. Epidemiol., April 15, 2006; 163(8): 709 - 716. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D M. FREEDMAN, A. J SIGURDSON, M. M DOODY, S. LOVE-SCHNUR, and M. S LINET Comparison between cancers identified by state cancer registry, self-report, and death certificate in a prospective cohort study of US radiologic technologists Int. J. Epidemiol., April 1, 2006; 35(2): 495 - 497. [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Rodriguez, M. L. McCullough, A. M. Mondul, E. J. Jacobs, A. Chao, A. V. Patel, M. J. Thun, and E. E. Calle Meat Consumption among Black and White Men and Risk of Prostate Cancer in the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort. Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., February 1, 2006; 15(2): 211 - 216. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. L. McCullough, C. Rodriguez, W. R. Diver, H. S. Feigelson, V. L. Stevens, M. J. Thun, and E. E. Calle Dairy, Calcium, and Vitamin D Intake and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Risk in the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., December 1, 2005; 14(12): 2898 - 2904. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. J. Jacobs, C. Rodriguez, A. M. Mondul, C. J. Connell, S. J. Henley, E. E. Calle, and M. J. Thun A Large Cohort Study of Aspirin and Other Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs and Prostate Cancer Incidence J Natl Cancer Inst, July 6, 2005; 97(13): 975 - 980. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. M. Roe, M. I. Behrens, C. Xiong, J. P. Miller, and J. C. Morris Alzheimer disease and cancer Neurology, March 8, 2005; 64(5): 895 - 898. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. V. Patel, C. Rodriguez, L. Bernstein, A. Chao, M. J. Thun, and E. E. Calle Obesity, Recreational Physical Activity, and Risk of Pancreatic Cancer In a Large U.S. Cohort Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., February 1, 2005; 14(2): 459 - 466. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Chao, M. J. Thun, C. J. Connell, M. L. McCullough, E. J. Jacobs, W. D. Flanders, C. Rodriguez, R. Sinha, and E. E. Calle Meat Consumption and Risk of Colorectal Cancer JAMA, January 12, 2005; 293(2): 172 - 182. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. J. Jacobs, M. J. Thun, C. J. Connell, C. Rodriguez, S. J. Henley, H. S. Feigelson, A. V. Patel, W. D. Flanders, and E. E. Calle Aspirin and Other Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs and Breast Cancer Incidence in a Large U.S. Cohort Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., January 1, 2005; 14(1): 261 - 264. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Chao, C. J. Connell, E. J. Jacobs, M. L. McCullough, A. V. Patel, E. E. Calle, V. E. Cokkinides, and M. J. Thun Amount, Type, and Timing of Recreational Physical Activity in Relation to Colon and Rectal Cancer in Older Adults: the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., December 1, 2004; 13(12): 2187 - 2195. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. J. Murff, D. R. Spigel, and S. Syngal Does This Patient Have a Family History of Cancer?: An Evidence-Based Analysis of the Accuracy of Family Cancer History JAMA, September 22, 2004; 292(12): 1480 - 1489. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. S. Feigelson, C. R. Jonas, L. R. Teras, M. J. Thun, and E. E. Calle Weight Gain, Body Mass Index, Hormone Replacement Therapy, and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer in a Large Prospective Study Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., February 1, 2004; 13(2): 220 - 224. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. S. Garman, C. F. Pieper, P. Seo, and H. J. Cohen Function in Elderly Cancer Survivors Depends on Comorbidities J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., December 1, 2003; 58(12): M1119 - 1124. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. F. Marshall, D. Deapen, M. Allen, H. Anton-Culver, L. Bernstein, P. L. Horn-Ross, D. Peel, R. Pinder, P. Reynolds, R. K. Ross, et al. Validating California Teachers Study Self-Reports of Recent Hospitalization: Comparison with California Hospital Discharge Data Am. J. Epidemiol., November 15, 2003; 158(10): 1012 - 1020. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. J. Jacobs, C. J. Connell, A. Chao, M. L. McCullough, C. Rodriguez, M. J. Thun, and E. E. Calle Multivitamin Use and Colorectal Cancer Incidence in a US Cohort: Does Timing Matter? Am. J. Epidemiol., October 1, 2003; 158(7): 621 - 628. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Rodriguez, M. L. McCullough, A. M. Mondul, E. J. Jacobs, D. Fakhrabadi-Shokoohi, E. L. Giovannucci, M. J. Thun, and E. E. Calle Calcium, Dairy Products, and Risk of Prostate Cancer in a Prospective Cohort of United States Men Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., July 1, 2003; 12(7): 597 - 603. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. R. Jonas, M. L. McCullough, L. R. Teras, K. A. Walker-Thurmond, M. J. Thun, and E. E. Calle Dietary Glycemic Index, Glycemic Load, and Risk of Incident Breast Cancer in Postmenopausal Women Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., June 1, 2003; 12(6): 573 - 577. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Parikh-Patel, M. Allen, W. E. Wright, and the California Teachers Study Steering Committee Validation of Self-reported Cancers in the California Teachers Study Am. J. Epidemiol., March 15, 2003; 157(6): 539 - 545. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. A. Hessol, S. Schwarcz, N. Ameli, G. Oliver, and R. M. Greenblatt Accuracy of Self-Reports of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome-related Conditions in Women Am. J. Epidemiol., June 1, 2001; 153(11): 1128 - 1133. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. M. Desai, M. L. Bruce, R. A. Desai, and B. G. Druss Validity of Self-reported Cancer History: A Comparison of Health Interview Data and Cancer Registry Records Am. J. Epidemiol., February 1, 2001; 153(3): 299 - 306. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. J. Thun, E. E. Calle, C. Rodriguez, and P. A. Wingo Epidemiological Research at the American Cancer Society Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., September 1, 2000; 9(9): 861 - 868. [Full Text]

				K. Glanz, J. Grove, L. Le Marchand, and C. Gotay Underreporting of Family History of Colon Cancer: Correlates and Implications Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., July 1, 1999; 8(7): 635 - 639. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				E. M. John, G. G. Schwartz, D. M. Dreon, and J. Koo Vitamin D and Breast Cancer Risk: The NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study, 1971-1975 to 1992 Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., May 1, 1999; 8(5): 399 - 406. [Abstract] [Full Text]

Online ISSN 1476-6256 - Print ISSN 0002-9262

Copyright © 2009 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Oxford Journals Oxford University Press

• Site Map
• Privacy Policy
• Frequently Asked Questions

Other Oxford University Press sites: Oxford University Press Oxford Journals China Oxford Journals Japan American National Biography Booksellers' Information Service Children's Fiction and Poetry Children's Reference Corporate & Special Sales Dictionaries Dictionary of National Biography Digital Reference English Language Teaching Higher Education Textbooks Humanities International Education Unit Law Medicine Music Online Products Oxford English Dictionary Reference Rights and Permissions Science School Books Social Sciences Very Short Introductions World's Classics