From Johns Hopkins: Stop and Listen to the People: An Enhanced Approach to Cancer Cluster Investigations

Am J Public Health. 2014 May 15. [Epub ahead of print]

Stop and Listen to the People: An Enhanced Approach to Cancer Cluster Investigations.

Simpson BW1, Truant P, Resnick BA.

Author information

• 1Brian W. Simpson is with the Office of Communications, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD. Patti Truant and Beth A. Resnick are with the Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Abstract

Cancer cluster investigations need to address the disconnect between traditional public health approaches and human needs. Cancer cluster investigations often magnify fear and uncertainty because they rarely find a definitive environmental cause. Traditional approaches emphasize population-level data analysis and undervalue active listening. Because few studies have explored active listening in cancer cluster investigations, we conducted a descriptive oral history case study of a Frederick, Maryland, investigation. We interviewed 12 community members and 9 public health professionals about the investigation of a perceived cancer cluster. Many believed it was linked to environmental contamination at Fort Detrick, a local US Army base. We propose enhanced active listening that seeks out peoples' perspectives, validates their concerns, and engages them in the investigative process.