FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Justin T. George, M.P.H.
(334) 206-3962
[email protected]
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), working in conjunction with Auburn University, has conducted a review of cases of uveal melanoma among former Auburn students and employees. Based on the best available information, the study did not identify a cancer cluster among Auburn students and employees from 1980 through 2017.
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. This disease occurs more frequently in whites than any other races. According to the Alabama Statewide Cancer Registry (ASCR), 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. Once the cases were verified, Auburn University verified the attendance or employment of each individual. Auburn University then provided a population file for ADPH to calculate the expected numbers of uveal melanoma cases. The analysis was conducted for students who attended or employees who worked for Auburn University at any point from 1980 forward. The study included confirmed cases that were diagnosed any point between 1990 and 2017. Seventeen people, 9 males and 8 females, met the criteria to be included.
“Auburn University officials have been incredibly helpful throughout the entire process that began this spring,” Justin T. George, director of cancer epidemiology, ADPH ASCR, said.
Study findings include the following: