AUBURN, Ala. (EETV)- The Alabama Department of Public Health stated Wednesday that there is no evidence of uveal melanoma cluster among Auburn University students and employees.
The ADPH, along with Auburn University, reviewed cases of uveal melanoma among former Auburn students and employees. Based on the best available information available to officials, the study did not identify a cancer cluster among Auburn students and employees from 1980 through 2017.
“Auburn University officials have been incredibly helpful throughout the entire process that began this spring,” said Justin George, director of cancer epidemiology for the ADPH.
Uveal melanoma is a cancer of the eye involving the iris, ciliary body, or choroid, collectively referred to as the uvea. According to the Ocular Melanoma Foundation, there is no known cause for uveal melanoma.
The annual incidence rate in Alabama among whites is 0.7 per 100,000. From 2006 through 2015, there were 316 cases of uveal melanoma among Alabama residents for an average of 31.6 new cases each year.
ADPH was provided a list of Auburn University students and employees that had reported being diagnosed with this disease. ADPH reviewed medical information for these individuals to verify the cases.
Specific study findings included:
-Based on Alabama rates and the population file provided by Auburn University, the expected number of cases in this time frame is 8.6 for white females and 13.6 for white males. In each instance, the expected number exceeds the number of observed cases.
-The Standardized Incidence Ratio (SIR), a measure of the observed cases divided by the expected cases, was less than 1.0 for each group indicating less than expected occurrences of cancer. The SIR was not found to be statistically significant.
Officials advise anyone who may have concerns about having uveal melanoma to schedule an eye exam with an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
