Statistically significant:Cancer rates in ZIP code 46803 are higher than expected primarily because of an excess of lung cancer cases, according to an analysis by the state health department requested by The Journal Gazette. The higher cancer rate was deemed “statistically significant” because it’s not likely to be the result of chance alone, though chance can’t be ruled out completely.

Respiratory cancer:Respiratory cancer cases – almost all lung cancer – account for 26 percent of total cancer cases in this ZIP code, a higher proportion than is typical. By comparison, respiratory cancer accounts for 17 percent of cancers in Allen County and 18 percent in Indiana, according to state epidemiologist Bob Teclaw.

Cancer rates:Respiratory cancer rates in 46803 are nearly double state rates. Lung cancer rates are 136 per 100,000 per year, according to state calculations – the highest of any ZIP code in Fort Wayne. Because the rate of many diseases, including lung cancer, increases with age, these rates are age-adjusted. This adjustment incorporates Census data to accommodate comparisons between populations with different age groups.

Reporting cancer:By law, physicians, hospitals and other health care providers in the state are required to report confirmed cases of cancer and other tumors and precancerous diseases to the Indiana State Cancer Registry. Patient information is used to survey cancer trends and apply prevention and control measures. Individual patient information – including a patient’s name and other facts associated with the case – can be accessed by the State Health Department. Where certain criteria are met, the department may release information to another state cancer registry or for the purposes of research. State law prohibits researchers from publishing or releasing patient names or other confidential facts that could be used to identify patients.