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No excess found on cancer rate in Deer Park
By KOSAKU NARIOKA
Texas Cancer Registry of the Texas Department of State Health Services data shows that no statistically-significant excess of cancer cases were observed for 16 types of cancer in Deer Park based on the 1996-2005 data, Dr. David R. Risser, of Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit for the TDSHS, reported at the last Deer Park Community Advisory Council meeting.
Risser also said that TCR found no significant excess of cancer cases reported among children at age 0-19 in Deer Park during the term.
“All the cancer that we observed in the Deer Park zip code is within the range of what we’ve expected,” he said.
Since it takes a long time to do quality control and make sure all the data is valid, the 2005 data is the most current, he said.
Although the number of observed cases for pancreatic cancer in males during the period – 21 cases— is about twice as many as the expected figure, the 99 percent confidence interval does not indicate a significant elevation, he said.
A 99 percent confidence interval is used for statistical significance and takes into account the likelihood that the result occurred by chance, according to the methodology shown in the summary of investigation.
When calculating the expected numbers of cancer cases; the study takes into consideration the race, sex, and ages of people who are diagnosed with cancer.
According to the summary, concern about a possible excess of cancer prompted the Texas Cancer Registry to examine the occurrence of cancer in zip codes 77536.
“Local citizens were concerned that unknown environmental toxins may be causing cancer,” the summary says of the background of the investigation.
Diane Sheridan, facilitator of Deer Park Community Advisory Council, said the state department has conducted the analyses for Deer Park in 1995, 2000 and 2004.
Risser said the purpose of the cluster investigation is to see if there are more cancer cases in the area than the TCR expected and not to determine the causes of cancer. He also noted that an elevated amount of cancer in an area does occur due to chance.
He said the TCR conducts roughly 40 cancer cluster investigations based on the requests from the public. Fewer than 5 percent of investigations reach the stage of feasibility study, a step away from an etiologic investigation, according to his report.
In Deer Park’s case, it was not recommended “to further examine the cancers” based on the findings, the summary of the investigation says. “As new data or additional information become available, consideration will be given to updating or re-evaluating this investigation.”
Risser also showed the top five leading types of cancer in Deer Park and Texas from 2001-2005. The city and the state shared the top three: Prostate, Lung and Colorectal in male and Breast, Lung and Colorectal in female.
Summary of Investigation into the Occurrence of Cancer Source:Texas Department of State Health Services
PowerPoint presentation by Dr. David R. Risser, epidemiologist of Cancer Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch of Texas Department of State Health Services, part 1
part 2
part 3
part 4
Risser also said that TCR found no significant excess of cancer cases reported among children at age 0-19 in Deer Park during the term.
“All the cancer that we observed in the Deer Park zip code is within the range of what we’ve expected,” he said.
Since it takes a long time to do quality control and make sure all the data is valid, the 2005 data is the most current, he said.
Although the number of observed cases for pancreatic cancer in males during the period – 21 cases— is about twice as many as the expected figure, the 99 percent confidence interval does not indicate a significant elevation, he said.
A 99 percent confidence interval is used for statistical significance and takes into account the likelihood that the result occurred by chance, according to the methodology shown in the summary of investigation.
When calculating the expected numbers of cancer cases; the study takes into consideration the race, sex, and ages of people who are diagnosed with cancer.
According to the summary, concern about a possible excess of cancer prompted the Texas Cancer Registry to examine the occurrence of cancer in zip codes 77536.
“Local citizens were concerned that unknown environmental toxins may be causing cancer,” the summary says of the background of the investigation.
Diane Sheridan, facilitator of Deer Park Community Advisory Council, said the state department has conducted the analyses for Deer Park in 1995, 2000 and 2004.
Risser said the purpose of the cluster investigation is to see if there are more cancer cases in the area than the TCR expected and not to determine the causes of cancer. He also noted that an elevated amount of cancer in an area does occur due to chance.
He said the TCR conducts roughly 40 cancer cluster investigations based on the requests from the public. Fewer than 5 percent of investigations reach the stage of feasibility study, a step away from an etiologic investigation, according to his report.
In Deer Park’s case, it was not recommended “to further examine the cancers” based on the findings, the summary of the investigation says. “As new data or additional information become available, consideration will be given to updating or re-evaluating this investigation.”
Risser also showed the top five leading types of cancer in Deer Park and Texas from 2001-2005. The city and the state shared the top three: Prostate, Lung and Colorectal in male and Breast, Lung and Colorectal in female.
Summary of Investigation into the Occurrence of Cancer Source:Texas Department of State Health Services
PowerPoint presentation by Dr. David R. Risser, epidemiologist of Cancer Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch of Texas Department of State Health Services, part 1
part 2
part 3
part 4
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