Cancer cluster among police detachment personnel

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Environmental Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• An apparent cancer cluster was reported among police personnel at a coastal British Columbia detachment.
• Concerns were raised regarding the detachment building as a potential contributing factor.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the reported cancer cluster at the police detachment.
• To determine if the detachment building was associated with the observed cancer cases.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 174 police personnel (20 current, 154 previous employees) associated with the detachment since 1963 was traced.
• Cancer cases were identified through direct contact and confirmed via a cancer registry.

Main Results:

• A total of 16 cancer cases (8 confirmed) were reported among the 174 personnel.
• Diagnosed cancers included testicular, cervical, colon, skin (melanoma), leukemias, and lymphomas, with ages at diagnosis between 22 and 44 years.
• No evidence was found linking the police building to the cancer cases.

Conclusions:

• The police detachment building was not identified as a factor in the observed cancer cases.
• A potential association between the police personnel's cancers and the use of police traffic radar was discussed.