WBR0498
| Author | [[PageAuthor::Yazan Daaboul, M.D. (Reviewed by Serge Korjian)]] |
|---|---|
| Exam Type | USMLE Step 1 |
| Main Category | Biostatistics/Epidemiology |
| Sub Category | Pulmonology, General Principles |
| Prompt | An epidemiologist is studying the prevalence and mortality of cancer among American patients older than 40 years of age. After collecting his data, he adjusts his mortality estimates for gender and age at diagnosis. Assuming his sample is representative of the general population, which of the following cancers would be responsible for the most deaths per year? |
| Answer A | Breast cancer |
| Answer A Explanation | Although breast cancer is the most common cancer in females, it is not the most common fatal cancer. It is in fact the 2nd most common fatal cancer among females. |
| Answer B | Colorectal cancer |
| Answer B Explanation | Colorectal cancer is the 3rd most common cancer and the 3rd most common fatal cancer in both males and females. |
| Answer C | Gastric cancer |
| Answer C Explanation | Gastric cancer is not the most common fatal cancer in older patients. |
| Answer D | Lung cancer |
| Answer D Explanation | Lung cancer is the most common fatal cancers in both males and females. |
| Answer E | Lymphoma |
| Answer E Explanation | Lymphoma is not the most common fatal cancer in older patients. |
| Right Answer | D |
| Explanation | [[Explanation::
The 3 most common cancers in males are as follows in decreasing prevalence: Prostate (most common), then lung, then colorectal. On the other hand, the 3 most common cancers in females are breast (most common), then lung, then colorectal. Nonetheless, prostate cancer in males and breast cancer in females are not the most common fatal cancers. The most common fatal cancer in both genders is lung cancer. |
| Approved | Yes |
| Keyword | Lung cancer, Incidence, Prevalence, Cancer, Fatal, Mortality, Death, Breast cancer, Colorectal cancer, Women |
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