Creating the Iranian cancer cluster assessment road map and assessing one reported cancer cluster

Abstract

Managing cancer clusters is a challenging subject. Designing the scientific approach in Iran in the field of cancer cluster management according to the scientific international guidelines was the first aim of this study. One reported cancer cluster was investigated according to the created road map. This project was conducted in Kerman, Iran, from 2018 to 2022. This study has two steps including creating a national scientific cancer cluster management roadmap and investigating one reported cancer cluster. The Persian national roadmap was prepared based on the CDC guideline. The four-stage approach was used including gathering information, confirming the occurrence of a cluster, evaluating the feasibility of an epidemiological assessment, and conducting an investigation. Guideline details were completed according to the other national guidelines and methodology articles. A reported cancer cluster in the Siyahkooh district, Orzuiyeh County, Kerman province was assessed. It was terminated because there was not enough evidence about water supplies contamination with heavy metals. Epidemiological studies are very important in the cancer cluster management, but sometimes these studies could not establish the possible causal relationships. Translating the results to the public health language and conducting good communication with public health is a critical phase in the cancer cluster management.