Suspected excess incidence of cancer in the municipality of Lescout (Tarn): update on surveillance data for the period 2016–2020

Following a public health alert in 2018 from the mayor of Lescout (Tarn) regarding a suspected excess of cancer cases, an epidemiological study was conducted covering the period 1986–2015 using data from the Tarn Cancer Registry. The results of this initial study did not reveal an excess of cancer cases in the municipality or in municipalities located within a 3-km radius, compared to the rest of the department; however, an upward trend in “all cancers” over time was observed in the municipality of Lescout. Santé publique France then recommended updating this analysis at five-year intervals to monitor the evolution of this trend. Furthermore, a review of the scientific literature did not identify any specific cancer risk associated with exposure to poultry farming in the municipality. This report presents this update covering the 2016–2020 period, using the methods described in the new guide for investigating clusters of noncommunicable diseases published by Santé publique France (stakeholder consultation, spatio-temporal sweep method, and smoothed standardized incidence ratio (SIR) method, among others). Three approaches were implemented: (i) an update of the initial study covering the 2016–2020 period by calculating smoothed SIRs and RR values for comparison with the previous study; (ii) a descriptive analysis of new cancer cases, focused on the area corresponding to the concerns of the population exposed to odor nuisances, for the years 2015–2020 (availability of geocoded data); (iii) a spatiotemporal sweep analysis covering the entire Tarn department for the years 2006–2020. The results show no excess incidence of cancer within the population of Lescout compared to the rest of the department, regardless of the type of analysis considered. This holds true for all cancers, including colorectal cancer, breast cancer, leukemias and associated conditions, prostate cancer, lung cancer, and bladder cancer—the most frequently observed cancers in the municipality. This conclusion remains unchanged after risk smoothing or spatiotemporal scanning. Additionally, the sub-municipal analysis restricted to the area corresponding to the population’s concerns does not identify more cancers in this area than among the population residing in the rest of the municipality. The study conducted in parallel by ATMO Occitanie on potential odor nuisances linked to emissions of odorous substances (ammonia, hydrogen sulfide) and their measurements in the air should provide additional information useful for addressing the health concerns of the local population.

Author(s): Rivière Stéphanie

Publishing year: 2024

Pages: 34 p.

Collection: Monitoring data

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