Environmental scientist Al Lupiano tells NBC4 New York that there may be a common link. The numbers have risen from around 80 to now more than 90 people with a cancer diagnosis who could be tied to a suspected cancer cluster at Colonia High School in Woodbridge. Facebook Colonia High School A cluster of brain tumors and cancer in people associated with a single New Jersey high school is causing concern. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. The cancers should either be all of the same type or types of cancer that are known to have the same cause. Accessed at www.cdc.gov/nceh/clusters/faq.htm on April 29, 2019. The health department will look at the number of cases in the affected area and those nearby to see if there are really more cases than expected. Mark Cuker, an environmental attorney who represented the Toms River families, urged investigators at Colonia to consider all options, not just obvious possible causes, in seeking an explanation for the brain tumors. For it to be considered a true cluster, it usually must have one of the following characteristics: If the excess cancer cases include many different types of cancer over a period of many years, its not likely to be a true cancer cluster, or to be caused by a single environmental factor or exposure. Possible cancer clusters tend to get a lot of attention in the news and other forms of media. Cancer.org is provided courtesy of the Leo and Gloria Rosen family. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. The American Cancer Society offers programs and services to help you during and after cancer treatment. Weve invested more than $5 billion in cancer research since 1946, all to find more and better treatments, uncover factors that may cause cancer, and improve cancer patients quality of life. Its also important to follow recommended screening guidelines, which can help detect certain cancers early. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. There are very few direct causes to the types of brain tumors we are talking about., Dr. Frank Attenello, assistant professor of neurosurgery at the Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, tells Newsmax that he is similarly baffled. The onset of brain tumors in more than one hundred people who attended or worked at Colonia High School in New Jersey has continued to baffle experts. All rights reserved, Nasty Winter Storm Eyes NYC Area: Heavy Rain, 40 MPH Winds, Snow Expected Over 12-Hour Siege, NJ Woman Threatens to Blow Up Home Over Eviction, Then Torches It With 30 Cats Inside: Cops, This 26-Year-Old Pays $0 to Live in a Luxury Tiny Home' She Built for $35,000 in Her Backyard Take a Look Inside. The longer ago this was, the harder this might be to determine. I think what theyll have to do is go through a ton of info that includes the tumor types and any potential risk factors identified with those individuals. Random patterns are the most common reason for a cancer cluster with no identified cause. In the Colonia case, state and federal agencies are waiting on the results of radiation tests by a private contractor who was hired by the township, said Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Just how big should the bulls eye be? NEW JERSEY - A New Jersey man has uncovered a medical mystery. some factors that do not support the need for further investigation include: If the health department feels that the potential cluster should be studied further, they will collect more information. Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. Al Lupiano, a graduate of the high school, believes there's a link between the school and brain tumors diagnosed in 108 people over a period of three decades, ending in the early 2000s. The investigators might be able to figure out with a fair amount of certainty that there is no true cluster, or that there is a true cluster and its probably caused by a certain exposure. Radiation exposure is one of the biggest risk factors for brain tumors. Our children and Colonia High School staff deserve more involvement of the State and Federal agencies. Its very important that government agencies keep members of the community informed from the start of and throughout the investigation. Some types of cancer are more common in men than in women (and vice versa), and some are more common in certain racial or ethnic groups, or in people with other shared characteristics (such as a history of tobacco use). Toms River started anecdotally and then when the scientists looked at the numbers they found a cluster, he said. Why havent any soil, groundwater and indoor air samples been collected to make sure no carcinogenic contaminants are present? Some people might be comforted if an investigation finds no clear cause for a cluster, but others might find it worrisome or frustrating. "This is only the tip of the iceberg. It goes on to say that we anticipate receiving results from the comprehensive testing by the end of May. The City of Woodbridge, NJ is investigating, with Mayor John McCormac telling NBC4 that One hundred out of 15,000 have brain cancersure sounds like something we should be concerned about.. Often theres a concern that the cancers might be caused by some type of carcinogen (cancer-causing agent) in the environment. 2023 NewsmaxHealth. We insist on more action from the CDC, NJDOH and NJDEP. Not everyone who is exposed is likely to develop cancer: To make things even more tricky, some people might be more or less likely to get cancer after being exposed to something, based on their genes. For example, the number of cases might not really be higher than expected once other factors that could explain the increase (such as peoples age, gender, and tobacco use) are taken into account. WOODBRIDGE TWP., NJ - Testing began Today at Colonia High School. We couldnt do what we do without our volunteers and donors. We appreciate the NJDOH, NJDEP, ATSDR, and CDC assistance to the Woodbridge Townships environmental investigation that is currently ongoing, but strongly believe that this is not enough. That approach, he said, led to the identification of a chemical that no one had ever heard of as the cause of many cancer cases in Toms River. allegations the school had radiological hazards that may have contributed to diagnoses of brain tumors, cancers and other central nervous disorders in former students and staff members, 'It can't be a coincidence': Colonia High School community probes mysterious cancer cases, Location sought for brain scans in wake of alleged cancer cluster tied to Colonia High School, Colonia High School cancer probe catches NJ Department of Health attention, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. "One hundred out of 15,000 have brain cancer -- sure sounds like something we should be concerned about," Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac told News 4 New York. The brain tumor cases, appearing over a thirty-year period, are a significant medical mystery that has caused alarm for experts. Advocates for an official investigation into fears of a "cancer cluster" at the Middlesex County high school say there are parallels to the notorious water system contamination in the Ocean County town that was blamed for more than 130 cases of childhood cancer in the 1990s. Hes dying to live, not living to die, she said. All rights reserved. Personal phone calls were made by bilingual staff members at Tempe High School. Colonia High School in Colonia, New Jersey. College Connect Tempe also enters all student attendees into a $1000 scholarship drawing for attending workshops acting as an incentive for students. Over 100 cases of brain tumors and other cancers have been discovered in former students of Colonia High School, constituting a cancer cluster according to Stanford's Dr. Paul Graham. 2018. Over 122 people connected to Colonia High School were found to have brain tumors. Credit: (Robert Brainz via Flickr/2.0 Generic/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), More cases in Colonia High school suspected cancer cluster, State, federal health agencies wait for Woodbridge radiation tests, Colonia High School graduate suggests cancer cases linked to school. Lupiano is also the whistleblower who discovered a possible cancer cluster in graduates and educators from the high school. Lupiano, unfortunately, knows the effects of the problem firsthand. They should let the authorities know that they want answers because without the public outcry there is not going to be the pressure thats needed to make this right, she said. Joanna Gagis joined the NJ Spotlight News team in 2018. Find Us . Scientists do their best to piece together the puzzle when there is a cancer cluster, but more times than not, they dont find a likely cause. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) define a cancer cluster as a greater-than-expected number of cancer cases that occurs within a group of people in a defined geographic area over a specific period of time. The CDC is the agency most often involved in cancer cluster investigations. Was it a single event or has it been ongoing? College Knowledge Lab and workshop invites: Lunch time and After School open labs are created for students completing any college/career going task (FAFSA, college applications, resumes), "Incredible community, very friendly, and have many ways to break down the steps of applying., Very fun and helpful staff; very deserving of this,, It has been a wonderful experience working with the students of Tempe High School and I cant wait to see what they continue to accomplish. As a Senior Correspondent, her coverage includes education, health care, the environment, New Jersey politics and more. The number of people with rare brain tumors who either attended or worked at Colonia High School in Woodbridge has grown to 117, according to Al Lupiano who has been conducting his own research into a suspected cancer cluster. When you have as many as theyre saying they have, its going to take so long for the government to finally verify it, said Linda Gillick, who led community calls for an official investigation of the Toms River cases starting in the late 1980s. More cancer cases in the United States are expected in large population centers or in places where the population tends to be older. Here you'll find in-depth information on specific cancer types including risk factors, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment options. Kingsley BS, Schmeichel KL, Rubin CH. The counselors, teaching staff and volunteers at THS go above and beyond to meet students and families where they are at. TCE Causes Cancer; Have You Have Been Exposed? But each case began with anecdotal reports of unusually high rates of cancer, and with what community leaders say was then, and is now, a slow response by state and federal health authorities. We are concerned Colonia High School parents, alumni, and township members, writing on behalf of our school community. It is not enough to address parents of operating school with suspected cancer cluster through written statements given to media outlets. The number of patients affected in a localized area are higher than what we would expect. Sometimes a true cancer cluster can be confirmed, and its cause is identified. Jon Hurdle, a freelance writer who regularly reports on water and other environmental issues, is part of the NJ Spotlight COVID-19 reporting team. @tempe_high_counseling, College Knowing and Going partnership - student ambassadors serve as college-going role models and help with the marketing of student events (creating posters, posting on social media). Cancer Clusters. This doesnt always mean that there isnt one; it may just be that one cant be found with the methods available at the time. WOODBRIDGE - Some residents want the search to continue for answers about a possible cancer cluster linked to Colonia High School, though testing at the campus found no radiological . Accessed at www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/cancer-clusters-fact-sheet on April 29, 2019. Investigating suspected cancer clusters and responding to community concerns: Guidelines from CDC and the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. Exposures are very unlikely to cause cancers right away. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For a better-informed future. After the results of her own study were released, Komorek decided to transfer her daughters out of their high school and the school said they have sent Komorek's study results to state health and environmental agencies. Along with the American Cancer Society, other sources of information and support include: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Toll-free number: 1-800-232-4636 Home page:www.cdc.gov Cancer cluster information:www.cdc.gov/nceh/clusters/default.htm Links to state and local health departments:www.cdc.gov/nceh/clusters/statelocal.htm, National Cancer Institute (NCI) Toll-free number: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) Home page:www.cancer.gov Cancer Clusters Fact Sheet: www.cancer.gov/about-canchttps://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/cancer-clusters-fact-sheeter/causes-prevention/risk/substances/cancer-clusters-fact-sheet, The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team. But in many cases, even when it seems there is a cluster, a single cause cant be found. Atlanta, GA, 2019. and 'What is the likelihood that a sister of me and my wife can have a brain tumor at the same time?'". Our team is made up of doctors andoncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing. Suspected cancer clusters can be very distressing for those affected by them. Kamal said there is no need for people to get screened for brain tumors unless they are experiencing unusual symptoms such as new headaches, vision problems or issues with balance. The days that hes in pain, that he cant do what other children do. at 212-869-3500, or contact us online for a free consultation to discuss your rights. The agencies acknowledged their concerns regarding the potential cancer cluster, but are not conducting any testing aside from radiation and radon that the Township undertook, even though the school remains open. At the same time, there may be people who were not exposed who develop the same cancer by chance. What does it take to outsmart cancer? Studying cancer clusters allows scientists to identify areas of increased cancer risk, as well as to try to figure out what is causing the increase in risk. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. As far as a common link between these tumors, a driver mutation, there is not one thread for sure., Attenello adds the news of a cancer cluster at Colonia High School has spread quickly throughout the medical community. Lupiano is also the whistleblower who discovered a possible cancer cluster in graduates and educators from the high school. Early testing at the Woodbridge school by a consultant for the township is focusing on radiation levels, rather than on drinking water that poisoned wells in the Shore town. Or should it also include the larger community, or even nearby communities? Jason Wisinski, who lost his wife and sister-in-law, both Colonia High alumnae, to primary malignant brain tumors at the age of 38, became one of many convinced that a cluster a hyperlocal. There are anecdotal reports of radiation causing tumors, but I think the [root causes] will require more information that finds out what the patients are experiencing. The parallels are the problems with trying to get exposure to all the organizations to try and get an investigation, he said. American Cancer Society medical information is copyrightedmaterial. Why has no one attempted to contact the individual who brought the potential cancer cluster to light? Officials in Woodbridge Township, where Colonia is located, opened an investigation but said they found no significant radiation at the high school building. Of course, its also possible for cancer clusters to occur in communities as well. National Center for Environmental Health, CDC, Atlanta, Georgia. 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