Lancet cancer study a hoax
{{date|January 20, 2006}}
{{Health}}
In [[Norway]], the Oslo and Akershus County Medical Officer has announced that it is launching an inquiry into a possible scientific hoax, involving cancer researchers from Norway, the {{w|U.S.}} and {{w|Finland}}.

In October 2005, the Norwegian researcher {{w|Jon Sudbø}} along with 13 co-authors published the study in the prestigious medical journal {{w|The Lancet}}. The study claimed to detect a positive effect of {{w|ibuprofen}} in preventing oral cancer in smokers, based on a controlled case-study, entailing several hundred patients. On the basis of this study, a broader prospective multicenter study was to be started in 2006, partly funded by the U.S. {{w|National Cancer Institute}}.

On January 17th 2006 however, {{w|the Radium Hospital}} in {{w|Oslo}}, Norway announced that there were strong suggestions that the whole study was a hoax. The patient material presented appeared to be invented, and thus the whole study seems to be fraudulent.

The Radium Hospital in Oslo has hired an autonomous investigative committee to look into the matter, led by the Swedish {{w|epidemiology|epidemiologist}} Anders Ekbom from the {{w|Karolinska Institute}}, Stockholm. The editor of the Lancet, {{w|Richard Horton}}, said that this was the worst research fraud he has dealt with in his time at The Lancet.

== Sources ==
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16226613&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the risk of oral cancer: a nested case-control study.] - the allegedly hoaxed article (abstract)
*[http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140673606680148/fulltext Expression of concern: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the risk of oral cancer] - editorial notice in {{w|The Lancet}} (in English, requires free registration)
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4617372.stm Cancer study patients 'made up'] - BBC
*[http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article1200016.ece Research scam makes waves] - news article in Norwegian daily {{w|Aftenposten}} (in English)
*[http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article1201001.ece Research scandal will be investigated] - news article in Norwegian daily {{w|Aftenposten}} (in English)

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[[Category:Health]]
[[Category:Norway]]
[[Category:Cancer]]
[[Category:Oslo, Norway]]
[[Category:Europe]]
In Norway, the Oslo and Akershus County Medical Officer has announced that it is launching an inquiry into a possible scientific hoax, involving cancer researchers from Norway, the Finland.

In October 2005, the Norwegian researcher The Lancet. The study claimed to detect a positive effect of National Cancer Institute.

On January 17th 2006 however, Oslo, Norway announced that there were strong suggestions that the whole study was a hoax. The patient material presented appeared to be invented, and thus the whole study seems to be fraudulent.

The Radium Hospital in Oslo has hired an autonomous investigative committee to look into the matter, led by the Swedish epidemiologist Anders Ekbom from the Richard Horton, said that this was the worst research fraud he has dealt with in his time at The Lancet.
Health Norway Cancer Oslo, Norway Europe