A multidisciplinary investigation of a polycythemia vera cancer cluster of unknown origin.

ABSTRACT: Cancer cluster investigations rarely receive significant public health resource allocations due to numerous inherent challenges and the limited success of past efforts. In 2008, a cluster of polycythemia vera, a rare blood cancer with unknown etiology, was identified in northeast Pennsylvania. A multidisciplinary group of federal and state agencies, academic institutions, and local healthcare providers subsequently developed a multifaceted research portfolio designed to better understand the cause of the cluster. This research agenda represents a unique and important opportunity to demonstrate that cancer cluster investigations can produce desirable public health and scientific outcomes when necessary resources are available.

SUBMITTER: Seaman V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2872321 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature