Archives: Glossary
The process of evaluating a person’s cancer risk. This may include looking at personal, family, lifestyle, medical and genetic information. See also risk prediction and risk factor.
In research, risk can be categorised as absolute or relative. Absolute risk is a measure of the risk of a certain event happening. In cancer research, absolute risk is the likelihood that a person who is free of a specific type of cancer at a given age will develop that cancer over a certain period […]
A substance or condition that increases an individual’s chances of developing a particular type of cancer. Some examples of risk factors for cancer are age, a family history of certain cancers, use of tobacco products, being exposed to radiation or certain chemicals, infection with certain viruses or bacteria, and certain genetic changes (see mutation). Modifiable […]
The length of time during and after the treatment of a disease, such as cancer, that a patient lives with the disease but it does not get worse. In a clinical trial, measuring the progression-free survival is one way to see how well a new treatment works (see overall survival).
A staff member who supports the day-to-day running of a research project. This may include tasks such as data collection, recruitment, literature reviews, ethics administration, record keeping or helping prepare reports and publications.
Someone who brings personal or community insight to research because of their own experience of cancer, their role as a carer, family member or friend, or their connection to communities affected by cancer.
A short explanation of a research project or research finding written in clear, everyday language. It should help people understand what the research is about, why it matters and what difference it could make.
The length of time from either the date of diagnosis or the start of treatment for a disease, such as cancer, that patients are still alive. In a clinical trial, measuring the overall survival is one way to see how well a new treatment works (see progression free survival). Also called OS.
A process in which independent experts check research to make sure it is accurate and reliable.
The death rate, or number of deaths, in a certain group of people in a certain period of time.