Cancer Cluster Investigations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) define a cancer cluster as a greater than expected number of cancer cases that occurs within a group of people in a geographic area over a defined period of time. Most cancer cluster investigations include an analysis of the occurrence of new cancer cases in a particular area over time and only answer the question, “Are there more cancer cases occurring in the area or population of concern than would be expected, based on the size and demographic characteristics of that population?”  It is important to note that the data and statistical analysis conducted at this step cannot determine if cancers observed in the community are associated with environmental, lifestyle, or other risk factors. Please see the DSHS Protocol for Responding to Community Cancer Cluster Concerns and the CDC and CSTE 2013  Guidelines for Investigating Suspected Cancer Clusters and Responding to Community Concerns for more information.

Summary Reports

2022

• Assessment of the Occurrence of Cancer, Laredo, Texas, 2006-2019
  • Assessment of the Occurrence of Cancer, Laredo, Texas, 2006-2019, Summary Sheet
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• Assessment of the Occurrence of Cancer, Laredo, Texas, 2006-2019, additional analysis
  • Assessment of the Occurrence of Cancer, Laredo, Texas, 2006-2019, additional analysis, Summary Sheet

2021

• Assessment of the Occurrence of Cancer, San Antonio, Texas, 2012-2017
  • Assessment of the Occurrence of Cancer, San Antonio, Texas, 2012-2017, Summary Sheet

2020

• Assessment of the Occurrence of Cancer, Houston, Texas - 2000 - 2016 
  • Assessment of the Occurrence of Cancer, Houston, Texas - 2000 - 2016, Summary Sheet
  • Supplemental Assessment of the Occurrence of Cancer, Houston, Texas, 2000-2016
    • Supplemental Assessment of the Occurrence of Cancer, Houston, Texas, 2000-2016, Summary Sheet

2019

• Assessment of the Occurrence of Cancer, Houston, Texas - 2000 - 2016
  • Assessment of the Occurrence of Cancer, Houston, Texas - 2000 - 2016, Summary Sheet
• Assessment of the Occurrence of Cancer, Houston, Texas - 2000 - 2016, additional analysis
  • Additional analysis, Summary Sheet
• Assessment of the Occurrence of Cancer, Houston, Texas - January 2, 2019

2018

• Assessment of the Occurrence of Cancer, Garland, Texas - June 19, 2018
• Assessment of the Occurrence of Cancer, Freeport, Texas - May 2, 2018

2017

• Assessment of the Occurrence of Cancer, Corpus Christi, Texas - October 10, 2017
• Assessment of the Occurrence of Cancer, Cypress, Texas - October 10, 2017
• Assessment of the Occurrence of Cancer, Flower Mound, Texas - August 8, 2017
• Assessment of the Occurrence of Cancer, Chasewood Subdivision, Fort Bend County, Texas - update - August 4, 2017
• Assessment of the Occurrence of Cancer, Keller Independent School District, Tarrant County, Texas - June 2, 2017
• Assessment of the Occurrence of Cancer, West Central El Paso County - April 17, 2017
• Assessment of the Occurrence of Cancer, Eastland County, Texas - March 30, 2017