Presentation Title
Childhood Brain Tumors in The Acreage: A Potential Cancer Cluster in Palm Beach County, Florida
Format
Event
Start Date
12-2-2010 12:00 AM
Abstract
Objective. This study will be conducted to describe and analyze the demographics and potential environmental risk factors of 6 confirmed cases of Pediatric Malignant Brain Tumors in an area being studied for a possible Brain Cancer Cluster. Background. In August 2009 the Division of Environmental Health from the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) released the report of a Preliminary Cancer Cluster Investigation in the area of Palm Beach County. Standardized Incidence Ratios (SIR) were used to analyze observed cases confirmed with the Florida Cancer Data System and the expected number of cases in the area; increased rates of malignant brain tumors for children in the period 2000-2007 were found, and consequently the Palm Beach County Health Department (PBCHD) will conduct a second phase of the investigation. Methods. A case series design will be used. An extensive structured questionnaire addressing exposures during pregnancy and after birth of the index case to possible environmental carcinogens that have been postulated as being associated with the development of Childhood Brain Tumors (CBT) will be administered to the parents of the total 14 cases (1996-2009) during the face-to-face interviews. Results. Frequencies of exposures to different potential carcinogens including but not limited to chemicals like N-nitroso compounds that could be found in water, type of diet during pregnancy, maternal and child farming activities, head trauma, radium in the soil and ionizing radiation will be analyzed and reported related to time and duration. Conclusion. The description of the environmental exposures of each case, when compared to the others, could provide early evidence of association between one or many environmental factors in the development of CBT and generate a hypothesis that would grant the need for further research using an analytical approach. Grants. PBCHD supported.
Childhood Brain Tumors in The Acreage: A Potential Cancer Cluster in Palm Beach County, Florida
Objective. This study will be conducted to describe and analyze the demographics and potential environmental risk factors of 6 confirmed cases of Pediatric Malignant Brain Tumors in an area being studied for a possible Brain Cancer Cluster. Background. In August 2009 the Division of Environmental Health from the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) released the report of a Preliminary Cancer Cluster Investigation in the area of Palm Beach County. Standardized Incidence Ratios (SIR) were used to analyze observed cases confirmed with the Florida Cancer Data System and the expected number of cases in the area; increased rates of malignant brain tumors for children in the period 2000-2007 were found, and consequently the Palm Beach County Health Department (PBCHD) will conduct a second phase of the investigation. Methods. A case series design will be used. An extensive structured questionnaire addressing exposures during pregnancy and after birth of the index case to possible environmental carcinogens that have been postulated as being associated with the development of Childhood Brain Tumors (CBT) will be administered to the parents of the total 14 cases (1996-2009) during the face-to-face interviews. Results. Frequencies of exposures to different potential carcinogens including but not limited to chemicals like N-nitroso compounds that could be found in water, type of diet during pregnancy, maternal and child farming activities, head trauma, radium in the soil and ionizing radiation will be analyzed and reported related to time and duration. Conclusion. The description of the environmental exposures of each case, when compared to the others, could provide early evidence of association between one or many environmental factors in the development of CBT and generate a hypothesis that would grant the need for further research using an analytical approach. Grants. PBCHD supported.