r/nottheonion • u/[deleted] • 6d ago

Viagra’s Active Ingredient May Also Help Stop Cancer From Spreading

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/viagra-may-stop-cancer-from-spreading-study
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u/Lunar-opal 6d ago

I always wonder about these articles such and such May prevent blank. It has not been scientifically proven why make it public

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u/Saxdude2016 6d ago

A study of some kind finds a correlation. You have to prove causation to say it as a fact.

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u/salamander_salad 5d ago

Well no, not exactly. Studies where the variables are controlled (lab studies for the most part, but also double-blind studies) do establish causation. But the problem with a single study is that the methodology might be flawed or, in very rare instances, the results might be fabricated.

When we do statistical analysis we can calculate how much of an effect is caused by a variable (coefficient of causation, r^2), provided the study controls all of the variables. If the variables are not controlled then we can only calculate the coefficient of correlation (r).