Abc Toowong Case Study

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Both investigations into the cancer clusters at ABC Toowong and the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) followed sound principles of studying clusters with similar conclusions. However, the ABC building was abandoned while the NGA remains open. Considering the methodical investigations and the evidence uncovered, I propose that both sites should have remained open.
Cancer cluster investigations should not be undertaken as an exclusively scientific study. Their social element is unmistakable in the media coverage of many clusters. This component was not addressed in the initial investigation performed by Queensland Health on the breast cancer cluster at ABC Toowong. They undertook a standard epidemiological study and, by focussing their interviews …show more content…

The rate of breast cancer was found to be much higher (six times higher) than the general population. Initially, the probability of the calculation was found to be 1 in a million but was later adjusted to roughly 1 in 25. However, the statistics used to calculate these probabilities are not foolproof (see Q1). As the use of statistics in cancer clusters is questionable, it is more appropriate to focus on exposures. After a thorough examination, the investigators uncovered no convincing exposures to explain the high rate of breast cancer, both in the workplace or personal risk factors. Although unknown exposures cannot be discounted, it is likely the high rate occurred by chance rather than by a workplace related exposure. To provide further evidence, cancer rates in other ABC workplaces in the country, which would have similar exposure profiles, were calculated and found to be no higher than the general population. Clearly, the evidence uncovered did not suggest a harmful workplace exposure and, therefore, did not warrant the closure of the building. This reaction was probably linked with the initial dissatisfaction of the employees and the media storm and misinformation that accompanied the

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