Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) Practice Exam

What is the investigation of cancer frequencies and patterns in a defined population referred to?

1. Analytic epidemiology

2. Descriptive epidemiology

3. Incidence rate

4. Prevalence rate

The correct answer is: Descriptive epidemiology

The investigation of cancer frequencies and patterns in a defined population is referred to as descriptive epidemiology. This branch of epidemiology is focused on characterizing the distribution and patterns of health-related events, specifically how they vary across different populations or groups. It seeks to identify the who, what, when, and where of health events, which includes cancer cases. By analyzing these factors, descriptive epidemiology provides insights into the burden of cancer, potential risk factors, and can help inform public health initiatives and resource allocation. In contrast, analytic epidemiology looks more at the "why" and "how" behind disease patterns by examining potential causes and risk factors for diseases. Incidence rates and prevalence rates are specific measures that describe aspects of disease occurrence within populations, but they do not encompass the broader investigation of distribution patterns in the same way that descriptive epidemiology does.