Iranian Journal of

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA The relationship between two things if one is another originator or creator, called causality. Although this concept is not specified to Medical Sciences and Epidemiology, the importance of this issue is more highlighted in the field of epidemiology. Causation is the most basic concepts in empirical sciences and is still under discussion because it is dependent on the basis of any scientific laws without acceptance something cease causality is impossible. With the increasing development of science as well as epidemiology, causality has found a broader concept and its application in analytical studies and logical interpretation of the results of this type of study, has a wider dimension. Due to developing new epidemiology courses at medical universities and increase the number of students, it is felt to talk more about the causality concept. In this review causality concepts in the humanities is overviewed, its history is briefly described, the causality of Medical Epidemiology and also Islamic religion is considered, then the causality framework, and models to interpret the conventional causality will be discussed.

Background and Objectives: Colorectal cancer, as the third common cancer, is one of the main health problems in Iran. We assessed the burden of colorectal cancer, as one of the high-priority indices, in this cross-sectional study in Iran in 2008.

Methods: CANMOD software was used for calculation. The input data included the population of Iran, all-cause and colorectal cancer mortality rates, and incidence rate of colorectal cancer, which were all obtained from the Iran Statistic Center, Mortality Registry System, and Cancer Registry System.

 Results: The total burden of colorectal cancer according to DALY in Iran in 2008 was 52534 years in the total population. Years of lost life (YLL) amongst males and females were 26455 and 19887 years, respectively. Years lived with disability (YLD) were 3473 and 2719 years for males and females, respectively. The burden of colorectal cancer per 1000 population was 75.4 years for males and 65.7 years for females. The peak age of colorectal cancer burden rate was in the age group 45-79 years.

 Conclusion: The burden of the colorectal cancer in Iran has increased compared to the last study (2003) which is due to the increase in its incidence and the related mortality during this period. Due to the possibility of prevention and effective intervention, this cancer should be a priority in the health care system. However, the final judgment should be made after calculation of the burden of other cancers, diseases, and damages at the country level and their respective rankings.

  Background and Objectives : Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among Iranian women. The peak age of breast cancer in Iran is one decade lower than the global estimates. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the burden of breast cancer in Iranian women in the country level.

 Methods: In this study, the CANMOD software was used for the calculation of DALYs as the sum of YLL and YLD. The required data was the population of the Iranian women, mortality due to breast cancer, incidence cases of breast cancer, and mean time of the stages of breast cancer that was obtained from the Mortality Registry System, Cancer Registry System, and expert panel views .

  Results : In this study, the total burden of breast cancer in Iranian women was 75811 years in 2009. Moreover, the years of life lost (YLL) was 54938 years while years lived with disability (YLD) was estimated 20873 years. The rate of DALYs per 100000 female population was 220.9 years. The peak age of breast cancer burden was in the age group 45-59 years. The incidence to mortality ratio was 3/2.

  Conclusion: The incidence rate, mortality rate, and the burden of breast cancer in Iranian women increased in 2009 when compared to a previous study in 2003. The findings of this study may provide Iranian health managers with some information on the determinants of the burden of breast cancer in order to design preventive measures as well as screening programs for early detection of breast cancer.