Cancer by the Numbers in Franklin and Medway

Alan Earls Editor

Cancer by the Numbers in Franklin and Medway

Late last month the state released its updated report, Cancer Incidence in Massachusetts 2016-2020. We have here pulled out data for Franklin and Medway, and note that the study authors say, "The SIR (Standardizeid Incidence Ratio) is a useful indication of how the cancer experience of a given community compares with that of the state as a whole. SIRs, however, should be interpreted with care. Depending on the situation, they may provide a starting point for further research and investigation into a possible health problem, but they do not by themselves confirm or deny the existence of a particular health problem. Many factors may contribute to a higher or lower SIR, including demographic factors, changes in diagnostic techniques, screening rates, and changes in data collection or recording methods over time, as well as the natural variation in disease occurrence.

The full study is available here.

For further information, please visit the following:

• Massachusetts Cancer Registry: mass.gov/massachusetts-cancer-registry

• Occupational Health Surveillance: mass.gov/orgs/occupational-health-surveillance-program

• Bureau of Climate and Environmental Health: mass.gov/bceh

• Comprehensive Cancer Control Program: mass.gov/comprehensive-cancer-control-program

• Massachusetts Department of Public Health: mass.gov/dph