The Jacob Fuchsberg Law Firm is investigating a potential cancer cluster at Colonia High School in Woodbridge, NJ which may be linked to students and staff exposure to radiation on the school grounds over the past five decades., The initial investigation began several weeks ago, when 1989 graduate Al Lupiano rang the alarm bell that there seemed to be an unusual amount of cancer cases among graduates of the high school., Mr. Lupiano was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma on the left side of his brain in 1999. Although there was public pressure on the state to investigate child cancer cases in Toms River, it was the victims families who did the research to show the pattern of illness in the community, Kotran said. Over 122 people connected to Colonia High School were found to have brain tumors. Every inch of Colonia High School -- from buildings to fields -- is being tested for radiation to determine if there is a link between the school and the number of cancer cases diagnosed amongst former students and staff. 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. Many in the community have been on edge for months following reports of an alleged cancer cluster possibly linked to the school. Crit Rev Toxicol. About half of the cases had been determined to be cancerous. We can also help you find other free or low-cost resources available. But in many cases, even when it seems there is a cluster, a single cause cant be found. 1:44. By Maxwell Newman |
This could take a few more weeks as radon detectors sitting in classrooms collect data. "This is only the tip of the iceberg. Gillick said the family received financial compensation for Michaels illness as part of a settlement between 69 Toms River families and three companies held responsible for the escape of chemical waste that contaminated the towns water supply. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A combination of Instagram stories, posts featuring the school mascot are used. 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. In conclusion, the results of the radiological investigation at the high schooland grounds are within the normal variation of background radiation levels inNew Jersey and are therefore not indicative of concern over radiologicalexposure to individuals at the site. Views expressed by our advertisers and sponsors are their own, and are not endorsed by NJ Spotlight News. About Cancer Clusters. 2018. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. For a better-informed future. 2023 NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, The number of people with rare brain tumors has grown to 117. 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). However, Kamal said, it's appropriate for authorities to thoroughly investigate higher-than-expected rates of brain tumors in a community. Accessed at www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/cancer-clusters-fact-sheet on April 29, 2019. The Innovative Player award recognizes Arizona high schools throughout the school year for their innovative efforts and work in FAFSA completion. at 212-869-3500, or contact us online for a free consultation to discuss your rights. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 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. Possible cancer clusters tend to get a lot of attention in the news and other forms of media. If not, the health department will probably look into doing a brief investigation and then, if needed, will do a more complete review of the situation. So, its not uncommon for several people in a relatively small area to develop cancer around the same time. More cancer cases in the United States are expected in large population centers or in places where the population tends to be older. The township authorized the emergency contract of more than $200,000 in April to conduct the radiological assessment of the school and grounds after Al Lupiano, of Jamesburg, a 1989 Colonia High School graduate,developed a list of more than 120 people who were students, teachers or staff members at the school who have apparently developed brain tumors. It draws our attention because this story is not usual and theres a part of me, and others, who want to help drill down what is causing this.. 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. The brain tumor cases, appearing over a thirty-year period, are a significant medical mystery that has caused alarm for experts. Cancer Facts & Figures 2019.Atlanta, GA, 2019. According to guidelines from the CDC, She declined to say how much money her family received. WOODBRIDGE TWP., NJ - Testing began Today at Colonia High School. 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. RELATED: Colonia cancer cluster testers to use spring break week to finish data collection Investigators might have a few clear leads or starting points for common exposures among affected people, but they need to look at all the possibilities. 2012;42(6):474-490. This is something that you just dont forget.. Jon Hurdle, a freelance writer who regularly reports on water and other environmental issues, is part of the NJ Spotlight COVID-19 reporting team. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Will you do the same? 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. American Cancer Society medical information is copyrightedmaterial. Its just very difficult to get something like this off the ground. Lupiano, unfortunately, knows the effects of the problem firsthand. Exposures are very unlikely to cause cancers right away. If you or a loved one graduated from Colonia High School and developed cancer, we can help. 2012. "I have full faith they will get to the bottom of this and they will figure out what is going on," Genoni said. Some clustering of cancer cases happens by chance, but people tend to notice and report situations where rates seem to be above average. There are reports of radiation causing these tumors at the high school, and as far as environmental exposure, radiation is the most common one, but it is still relatively low. Kingsley BS, Schmeichel KL, Rubin CH. 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. McCormac added that calling it a cancer cluster was "wrong." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define a cancer cluster as "a greater-than-expected number of . Courtesy Al Lupiano Since March, Lupiano said he has found 107 people who attended. The American Cancer Society is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Frequently, in hazmat, you never find it in the first shot," Lupiano said. An update on cancer cluster activities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Goodman M, LaKind JS, Fagliano JA, et al. Less often, an investigation finds a true cancer cluster, but no cause can be found. But Komorek remains unconvinced, believing there could be other possible causes. 20? This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. The testing began Saturday, and will continue for two weeks and will cost Woodbridge at least $221,000. Cancer doesnt affect all groups of people equally. But just what is a cancer cluster? 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 . To report that your child will be absent or late, call the Attendance Hotline: (732) 726-7040 @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). "I think that air testing should be done immediately to determine whether or not there are hazardous levels of those chemicals in the indoor air," Komorek said. Student text messaging through College Connect Remind texting platform(?) American Cancer Society. "The results of the study identified four compounds: polychlorinated biphenyls and three pesticides -- chlordane, heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide. There are growing concerns over a medical mystery at a New Jersey high school following dozens of diagnoses of brain tumors dating back decades. "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. Its unlikely that everyone exposed will develop cancer. Suspected cancer clusters can be very distressing for those affected by them. Social media- Instagram is used to promote events, scholarships, opportunities and to connect with students. Stay with MyCentralJersey.com for updates. People may become concerned that theres a cancer cluster in their community if they believe there is a higher than normal number of cancers in the area. Even though thorough investigations of potential cancer clusters often dont give clear-cut answers, its important that communities keep reporting suspected cancer clusters, and that health organizations respond to these concerns. We are concerned Colonia High School parents, alumni, and township members, writing on behalf of our school community. A more in-depth investigation might include getting more thorough medical histories from affected people, as well as testing blood or other body fluid samples from both affected and non-affected people. Lonser adds that a lot of details are still unknown at this stage. This petition starter stood up and took action. Cancer clusters in the USA: What do the last twenty years of state and federal investigations tell us? 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. Ultimately, if it isnt a radiation source that is causing these illnesses, Lupiano says other tests can be done to pinpoint a cause. Other TUHSD school also coordinate their own FAFSA and college events where all students in the district are invited to attend. This is why the links between cancer and many cancer-causing agents (carcinogens) are often first found in studies of workers. Trusted Board Certified Radiation Oncologists serving the communities of Avondale, Chandler, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Surprise, Anthem . And how many children have I buried? Joanna Gagis joined the NJ Spotlight News team in 2018. Testing to begin at Colonia HS after man discovers possible evidence of cancer cluster. True cancer clusters rarely involve more than one type of cancer. Cancer Cluster FAQ. For example: McClintocks Dia de los Muertos FAFSA event was promoted to our students at Tempe High as well. Federal and state health agencies are waiting on the result of tests for radiation at Colonia High School in Woodbridge as officials look for causes of a suspected "cancer cluster" among former students and staff, the town's mayor said Monday. More than 80 people with a cancer diagnosis could be tied to a suspected cancer cluster at the High School. A quicker investigation by the New Jersey Department of Health and federal agencies could have saved the lives of around 30 children who died from cancer in Toms River in the mid-1990s, advocates say. The longer ago this was, the harder this might be to determine. 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