Press Release
FEBRUARY 1st, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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CONTACT:
TIM O’CONNOR
561-671-4013
SUSAN SMITH
850-245-4111
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WEST
PALM BEACH, FL – The
on-going study of various
cancers among Acreage
residents of Palm Beach
County has recalculated
population numbers from
2000-2007. The findings, as
reviewed by the Federal
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, the Florida
Department of Health (DOH)
Central Office, and the DOH
Palm Beach County Health
Department continue to show
elevated levels of brain and
central nervous system
cancers especially among
females 0-19 years of age.
The original population calculation used 2000 census figures,
which showed a population in
the Acreage of about 29,000
residents. With on-going
population growth throughout
the county and state, the
accuracy of these population
numbers is critical
especially when calculating
incidence rates of cancers.
The new study utilized three
additional independent
sources of population to
calculate growth in the area
through 2007. These new data
sources resulted in
population estimates of
31,908, 38,851 and 39,809.
In each case, the population
was broken into overall age
groups, and by sex.
“We suspected that pediatric brain and central nervous system
cancers among children were
higher than would normally
be seen in an area like the
Acreage.” said Senior
Environmental Epidemiologist
Sharon M. Watkins, Ph.D.
“But to be accurate, we
needed to be more confident
with how much the population
increased from 2000 to
2007.”
The DOH Palm Beach County Health Department has concluded the
interviews with families
affected by various
pediatric brain and central
nervous system cancers as
part of the ongoing study.
The pediatric cases observed were broken into three year
periods and reviewed by age,
and sex. From 2005 to 2007
there were three cases
among females, and based on
population, the expected
number of cases would have
been zero to one
(statistically 0.5 to 0.6).
These numbers combine to
create a statistical
incidence ratio greater than
4.0 and are considered
significantly elevated.
“This latest finding confirms that our interviews have been
directed correctly. These
families and their children
have endured a great deal
and we will continue to
monitor cases,” said Palm
Beach County Health
Department Director Dr.
Alina Alonso.
The Acreage SIR Recalculation Population Estimate Methods and
Results are posted at
www.pbchd.com/spotlight/acreage/cancer_cluster.html.
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