CDC's Role in Investigating Cancer Clusters
From 1961 to 1982, CDC investigated 108 reported cancer clusters in
29 states and 5 foreign countries (Caldwell GG. Twenty-two years of
cancer cluster investigations at the Centers for Disease Control. Am J
Epidemiol 1990; 132[1]:S43-S47). The studies were begun in hopes of
identifying a viral cause of cancer clusters. During these
investigations, however, no clear cause was determined for any of the
reported clusters.
A separate CDC investigation of a non-work-related cluster of
Kaposi's sarcoma in the early 1980s did lead to the discovery of a
cause. It was found that the vast majority of Kaposi's sarcoma cases
developed in association with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
On limited occasions, as illustrated by the following examples, CDC
works with specific state health departments to address public health
concerns about potential cancer clusters:
|
