A Study of the Geographic Distribution of Pediatric Cancers in Loire-Atlantique Between 2005 and 2018

Following reports of a cluster of pediatric cancers in a limited area comprising seven municipalities in the Loire-Atlantique department, an epidemiological investigation conducted by Santé publique France concluded that there was an excess of cases among children compared to the national incidence of childhood cancers. However, the investigation did not identify a common cause that could explain the occurrence of these diseases in this area. At the request of stakeholders, Santé publique France, in collaboration with the Loire-Atlantique/Vendée Cancer Registry, conducted an analysis of the geographic distribution of pediatric cancers in the Loire-Atlantique department. The objective was to put the findings observed within the reported area into perspective by comparing them with the distribution of pediatric cancer cases in the rest of the department. This new analysis is based on a mapping of the distribution of pediatric cancer incidence recorded by the registry between 2005 and 2018, at the municipal or cantonal level. A mapping analysis covering three time periods (2005–2009, 2010–2014, 2015–2018) was also conducted, but only at the cantonal level to ensure sufficient statistical sample sizes. In addition, a method for identifying clusters of cases in a given area was used to identify any zones with excess incidence and to test them statistically. The geographic distribution of pediatric cancers across the entire Loire-Atlantique department between 2005 and 2018 did not reveal any areas with a statistically significant excess risk. The geographic analysis of this cancer distribution across the three time periods did not identify any areas with a persistently high incidence over time. Finally, no significant clustering of pediatric cancers was identified in any particular area, whether in the spatial or spatiotemporal dimensions. This study made it possible to situate the pediatric cancers observed in the area of the seven municipalities in question within the statistical distribution of these diseases at the departmental level. From this statistical perspective, the results did not confirm the perception of a unique and abnormal situation in this area compared to the rest of the department.

Author(s): Goria Sarah, Bonaldi Christophe, Barataud Delphine, King Lisa, Delacour Solenne, Molinié Florence

Publishing year: 2020

Pages: 26 p.

Collection: Studies and Surveys

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