Article: QR cancer cluster scare

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From the Brisbanetimes click here!

QR cancer cluster scare

QR cancer cluster scare
DANIEL HURST
September 11, 2009 - 5:54PM

Queensland Health will help investigate a possible cancer cluster at a rail maintenance depot south of Mackay.

The Rail Tram and Bus Union has reported nine cancer cases among current and former employees at Queensland Rail's Jilalan Rollingstock Maintenance Depot at Sarina in the past 20 years.

A Queensland Rail statement said four of those people had been diagnosed in the past three years.

Associate Professor Tim Driscoll, an associate professor in epidemiology at the University of Sydney, will help review the claims.

Queensland Health public health medical officer Steven Donohue said different types of cancer were different diseases with different causes.

"Queensland Health first need to determine what cancers have been diagnosed amongst the team, over what period and whether there is any possible linkage to the workplace," he said in a statement.

A cancer cluster means a larger than expected number of cancer cases occurring in the one location over time.

QR spokesman Tom Wilshire said staff at the facility had been briefed and would be kept updated on the investigation.

"There are many things which can cause cancer and we want to be absolutely sure that nothing in the workplace has contributed to these cases of cancer," he said in a statement.

In 2006, the ABC abandoned its Toowong studios following concerns over the high rates of breast cancer among female employees.

An investigation found the rate was six times the national average, but the cause of the cluster remained a mystery.

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Deputy Premier and Minister for Health
The Honourable Paul Lucas
11/09/2009

Queensland Health to assist Queensland Rail to investigate Jilalan health concerns

Deputy Premier and Minister for Health Paul Lucas said Queensland Health was investigating claims of an increased frequency of cancer at Jilalan Rollingstock Maintenance Depot.

Mr Lucas said Queensland Health would assist Queensland Rail to investigate claims nine current and former employees had been diagnosed with cancer.

There are well established guidelines for investigating alleged non-communicable disease clusters, that involve assessing the diagnosis and looking at whether there has been a greater than normal incidence of cancer over a period of time.

"I understand this is a serious concern for employees and their families and it will be fully investigated," Mr Lucas said.

"I am informed this investigation will be undertaken as a priority and should any evidence come to light to indicate there is an issue, action will be taken immediately," he said.

Mr Lucas said Queensland Health was working closely with Queensland Rail to inves tigate the allegations.

Ends.