Cancer clusters in the workplace: an approach to investigation.

The investigation of cancer clusters has received much recent attention. In this paper we present the approach used by one company. We emphasize the need for a methodical, stepwise procedure that includes both epidemiology and industrial hygiene input, and for communication with workers throughout the investigation. Cluster investigations are expected to be most useful not in etiologic research, but rather in addressing worker concerns and as part of larger surveillance efforts.