A greater-than-expected number of cancer cases that occurs
within a group of people in a geographic area over a period of time. The expected
number of cancer cases is calculated and compared to the observed number of cancer
cases. A cancer cluster is confirmed when the observed/expected ratio is greater
than 1.0, and the difference is statistically significant.
W hat first appears to be a cancer cluster may not be one. Scrutiny of the situation
may show that the number of cancer cases is within the expected range for the population.
Cancer cases are most likely to represent a cancer cluster if they involve: (1)
one type of cancer, (2) a rare type of cancer, or (3) a type of cancer in a group
not usually affected by that cancer. For example, a cancer normally seen in adults
occurs in children.
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