Population science is science only if you know the population

Abstract

Background: Cancer control efforts have had limited effect in reducing the inequities for minorities and the medically underserved. One factor is the lack of theory-based conceptualization of the terms used to define race, ethnicity, and culture.

Method: Guidelines are provided to develop more accurate use of the terms race, ethnicity, and culture to determine standards of comparability across studies of cancer incidence, survival, and quality of life in diverse populations rather than stereotypes.

Results and conclusions: Our ability to use theoretically based criteria to differentiate groups of people could increase our ability to more effectively eliminate these disparities.