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Updated: Jul 16, 2025
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Establishing a Competing Risk Regression Nomogram Model for Survival Data
Published on: October 23, 2020
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From Hazard Rate to Age-at-Onset Distribution: Mind the Gap
Nilanjan Chatterjee1,2, Yuzheng Dun1
1Department of Biostatistics, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
Summary
This commentary argues that a recent study incorrectly concluded rare variants drive breast cancer risk. The study
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- A recent study suggested rare inherited variants are the primary cause of genetic susceptibility to breast cancer.
- This claim was based on analyses of age-at-onset distribution in twin pairs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critique the methodology and conclusions of a recent study on breast cancer genetic susceptibility.
- To highlight a flaw in the interpretation of disease onset data.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of the original study's deductive arguments.
- Identification of the interchangeable use of hazard rates and age-at-onset distribution.
Main Results:
- The original study's conclusion regarding rare variants is not supported due to a methodological gap.
- The interchangeable use of hazard rates and age-at-onset distribution is a critical flaw.
Conclusions:
- The published study fails to provide evidence against the polygenic risk of breast cancer from common variants.
- The role of common variants in breast cancer susceptibility requires further investigation, independent of the critiqued study.
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