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. Targeted Outreach A targeted outreach approach can be very useful. Experts are now investigating whether there is a cancer cluster emerging from this school. 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. Jon can be contacted by email at jonhurdle@gmail.com. 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. The Woodbridge town council approved two emergency resolutions earlier this week to begin radiological assessments at the school after resident Al Lupiano alerted the mayor that there could be hazardous material on the grounds of Colonia High. If there is a potential cause, investigators first have to figure out when these people were exposed to it. Environ Health Perspect. 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. Some of your concerns might be relieved during the initial phone call. In 1999, at age 27, he was diagnosed with a large, benign brain tumor. A New Jersey mom is pushing for more testing at her kids' former school. Lupiano, who is also an environmental scientist, and his wife Michelle-- both graduates of the high school -- were diagnosed with benign brain tumors 20 years apart. 2023 NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Advocates urge action to see if brain tumor cases are linked at Woodbridge school. About half of the cases had been determined to be cancerous. In April, Colonia High School in Colonia, New Jersey, made national headlines after more than 100 former students and staff reported online that they had been diagnosed with brain tumors, in a period that spanned across three decades. 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. Support our nonprofit newsroom. This doesnt always mean that there isnt one; it may just be that one cant be found with the methods available at the time. Cancer Clusters. There can be several reasons for this. ), especially if there is concern about a specific type of exposure as a possible cause. We understand that collecting environmental samples and analyzing them takes time, but that is exactly the reason why concurrent sampling of various media and parameters must be done ASAP. The American Cancer Society is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Added to this, some people will have moved into the community, while others may have moved away. Its just very difficult to get something like this off the ground. By making classroom visits students obtain the tools they need to start completing tasks like exploring colleges, careers, scheduling appointments with college representatives: Thursdays - college T-shirt Spirit Day! In fact, there appears to be no panic at this school over the brain tumor reports, no one asking for transfers that Dawn or her son, John, know about. 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 . I think the story has gotten some pretty widespread coverage. Lupiano's sister, also a graduate of the high school, died recently from brain cancer. 2008;100(9):614-621. "I have full faith they will get to the bottom of this and they will figure out what is going on," Genoni said. A New Jersey mom is on a mission to uncover more information that could shed light on a possible cancer cluster at her children's high school. 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. True cancer clusters rarely involve more than one type of cancer. The cancers are a type that is not usually seen in a certain group of people (for example, children getting a cancer usually seen in adults). Finding the one exposure that could be the cause can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. . Hes dying to live, not living to die, she said. 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. The American Cancer Society offers programs and services to help you during and after cancer treatment. But in many cases, even when it seems there is a cluster, a single cause cant be found. The CDC is the agency most often involved in cancer cluster investigations. In April, Colonia High School in Colonia, New Jersey, made national headlines after more than 100 former students and staff reported online that they had been diagnosed with brain tumors, in a period that spanned across three decades. Courtesy Al Lupiano Since March, Lupiano said he has found 107 people who attended. To report that your child will be absent or late, call the Attendance Hotline: (732) 726-7040 MMWR Recomm Rep. 2013;62(RR-08):1-14. Investigating suspected cancer clusters and responding to community concerns: Guidelines from CDC and the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. 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. In addition, DEPs further review does notindicate sources of environmental exposures of concern to public health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a cancer cluster is defined as a greater-than-expected number of cancer cases that occurs within a group of people in a geographic area over a period of time, Early information from the investigation suggests that the students at the high school may have suffered radiation exposure, although such reports are still unconfirmed., Radiological testing has begun at the school. We insist on more action from the CDC, NJDOH and NJDEP. Colonia High School 180 East Street Colonia, NJ 07067 Phone: 732-499-6500 Fax: 732-574-2575. 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.. Read about the FAFSA best practices that have encouraged the seniors of Independence High School to complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). WOODBRIDGE An extensive field investigation that included assessing Colonia High School classrooms, building materials and the 28-acre East Street campus found no radiological hazards that warrant further investigation, an environmental assessment determined. But Al Lupiano, a former Colonia student who published the growing list of brain tumor victims, said the agencies are still not acting quickly enough. This should include giving people a realistic idea of what may or may not be found. Toms River started anecdotally and then when the scientists looked at the numbers they found a cluster, he said. Int J Environ Res Public Health. Help us end cancer as we know it,for everyone. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? "I said, 'What is the likelihood that a husband and wife can both have an acoustic neuroma?' 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. 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.. Partnered with ABOR, Ask Benji, College Connect Tempe- Advisor called students and parents over Winter Break who had not completed FAFSA, shared importance of completing, offered 1:1 assistance to complete if applicable. Is Colonia High School the next Toms River? The areas with more cases than expected are more likely to be noticed. 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. (Also see the Additional resources section.). Note that the definition of a cancer cluster does not include anything about the cancers all having a common cause. Moving the boundaries (for example, to make the area larger or smaller) might make it look more or less likely that a cancer cluster exists. It sounds like they are investigating, as there are lots of things that we do not know about this, Lonser tells Newsmax. He has also lost the sight in one eye, and is hearing-impaired, but is smart and funny, with a strong will to live. Parent Promotion- Events were promoted using Spanish and English flyers, email, text and phone. This is only one of many, many tests that can be performed. Student text messaging through College Connect Remind texting platform(?) 2012. 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. Even though Colonia may not yet meet the scientific definition of a cancer cluster, Cuker said that should not stop officials investigating what he called an astounding number of reported brain tumor cases. But just what is a cancer cluster? Accessed at www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/cancer-clusters-fact-sheet on April 29, 2019. Cancer Facts & Figures 2019.Atlanta, GA, 2019. The counselors, teaching staff and volunteers at THS go above and beyond to meet students and families where they are at.
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