Question

an epidemiologist looks at a compilation of studies done at a medical center in which they have cataloged the lifestyle and habits of thousands of women. when she looks at the women in this group who have contracted breast cancer versus those who are healthy, she finds that women who have breast cancer drink more milk than those who do not have cancer. does this mean that drinking milk causes breast cancer?
yes; a correlation exists between the two; thus, milk must cause cancer.
yes; an epidemiologist uses statistics to look at populations, so it cant be a coincidence.
no; just because a correlation exists does not mean that milk is the cause of cancer.
no; its just a coincidence; correlations never indicate a cause - and - effect relationship.

Explanation:

Correlation does not imply causation. Just because women with breast - cancer drink more milk does not mean milk causes breast cancer. There could be other confounding factors or it could be a coincidence. While correlations can suggest relationships, they do not prove cause - and - effect.

Answer:

No; just because a correlation exists does not mean that milk is the cause of cancer.