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. 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. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. But many of these will be due to the bulls-eye effect (which is something like drawing a target on the wall after the darts have been thrown). There are growing concerns over a medical mystery at a New Jersey high school following dozens of diagnoses of brain tumors dating back decades. About Cancer Clusters. We couldnt do what we do without our volunteers and donors. As with any random pattern, there will be more cases than expected in some spots, and fewer cases than expected in others. 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. Here you'll find in-depth information on specific cancer types including risk factors, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment options. People concerned about a possible cancer cluster can report it to a local or state health department. Support our nonprofit newsroom. You can help reduce your risk of cancer by making healthy choices like eating right, staying active and not smoking. For example, there are several types of leukemia, and its important to know which type each person has. This is only one of many, many tests that can be performed. T: (602) 229-2500 | F: (602) 229-2555, 2700 N. Central Ave. Suite 400 | Phoenix, AZ 85004, Academic Affairs and Educational Attainment, Arizona Board of Regents' Committee on Free Expression, Information for HS Counselors and Principals, Western Interstate Commission for HIgher Education (WICHE), Feb. 16th - THS Parent Teacher Conferences and THS For the Love of Money FAFSA Night also 9 12 graders invited for College/ Career planning cookies will be served, week of Aug. 29, 2022 all senior English classes first presentation (College Apps, FSA ID, Maia Learning tool), Week of Sept. 26 all senior English classes 2, Oct. 17 and 18 FAFSA days at THS college and community partners on campus all day for 1:1 FAFSA follow ups, Week of Sept. 15 thru Sept. 22 all Junior English class presentations Maia Learning tool pre-College and FAFSA. We insist on more action from the CDC, NJDOH and NJDEP. As a Senior Correspondent, her coverage includes education, health care, the environment, New Jersey politics and more. Less often, an investigation finds a true cancer cluster, but no cause can be found. 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. Accessed at www.cdc.gov/nceh/clusters/default.htm on April 29, 2019. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They should at least do an initial investigation.. Why has no one attempted to contact the individual who brought the potential cancer cluster to light? The brain tumor cases, appearing over a thirty-year period, are a significant medical mystery that has caused alarm for experts. The information presented on this website is not intended as specific medical advice and is not a substitute for professional medical treatment or diagnosis. Superintendent of Schools Joseph Massimino announced the findings Thursday in a letter to township families, following 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. If you are concerned about a possible cancer cluster, contact your local or state health department. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? American Cancer Society. In addition, DEPs further review does notindicate sources of environmental exposures of concern to public health. College Connect Tempe, University/ community college representatives supported our events providing additional FAFSA experts and college tabling/information. Gillick, who founded and still chairs the Citizens Action Committee on Childhood Cancer Cluster, rejected arguments by some health experts that there isnt enough evidence so far to label Colonia a cancer cluster a designation that is rarely upheld by public health authorities despite there being many sites suspected of meeting the definition. When considering if a cancer cluster might exist, its important to keep in mind that cancer is common. Other TUHSD school also coordinate their own FAFSA and college events where all students in the district are invited to attend. 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. Views expressed by our advertisers and sponsors are their own, and are not endorsed by NJ Spotlight News. "It was shock," Al Lupiano, a former student, told "GMA" at the time. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. He has also lost the sight in one eye, and is hearing-impaired, but is smart and funny, with a strong will to live. Officials in Woodbridge Township, where Colonia is located, opened an investigation but said they found no significant radiation at the high school building. They really are very lax when it comes to reporting data and investigating it, and its left up to the individuals to find out about it, and its continuing today.. More than 80 people with a cancer diagnosis could be tied to a suspected cancer cluster at the High School. Why havent any soil, groundwater and indoor air samples been collected to make sure no carcinogenic contaminants are present? 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. 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. 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. Lunch time or After School FAFSA Lab Sessions. Please reach out to Ilana Wolk, Esq. 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. It seems like the same thing here, its retroactive rather than proactive, he said, referring to the Colonia case. Our College Advisors sent passes out to students and invitations for 1:1 and group events based on data gathered from AZ College Connect FAFSA dashboard (partial matches, incompletes, not started), data from ASU, U of A, NAU, and GCU admit reports (FAFSA status), GPA lists (who should do FAFSA to meet university priority deadlines such as UA Assurance and ASU Obama). Below are some of the resources we provide. A part of the campus is named for Pat Barbato - a longtime football coach . 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. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Humans arent like lab animals their environments arent strictly controlled. Ultimately, if it isnt a radiation source that is causing these illnesses, Lupiano says other tests can be done to pinpoint a cause. Exposures are very unlikely to cause cancers right away. 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. The pace and thoroughness of investigations is a topic that Dr. Russell Lonser, chair of the department of neurological surgery at Ohio State University, says is vital. Thursday, 28 April 2022 11:44 AM EDT. 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. If there is a potential cause, investigators first have to figure out when these people were exposed to it. Apr 07, 2022, 9:05pm Updated on Apr 08, . Lupiano is also the whistleblower who discovered a possible cancer cluster in graduates and educators from the high school. [This is] important to investigate as numbers do seem high. Should it include only the local neighborhood where most of the cases were found? 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. 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. Federal investigations take place: An investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency is being done to determine whether these 100-plus cases are a cancer cluster, or simply a coincidence, Fox News reported. "This is only the tip of the iceberg. If you or a loved one graduated from Colonia High School and developed cancer, we can help. Is Colonia High School the next Toms River? Gillick, 73, said the Toms River campaign led to a clean water supply thats closely monitored. There are 3 main possible outcomes from a cancer cluster investigation: To help illustrate this point, in a scientific review of over 500 cancer cluster investigations done over 20 years, only about 1 in 8 found a true increase in cancer rates, and in only one case was a clear cause for the increase found. Jacob Fuchsberg Law Firm Investigates Potential Cancer Cluster At Colonia High 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. To report that your child will be absent or late, call the Attendance Hotline: (732) 726-7040 State, federal health agencies wait for Woodbridge radiation tests, Case count rises in Colonia High School cancer mystery. For more complex or urgent situations, the health department might also call in experts from the CDC or other federal agencies to help do a more in-depth investigation. Meanwhile, the City of Woodbridge is taking the lead in the investigation, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars for testing at a school that graduated roughly 15,000 people over the last 30 years. Its also important to follow recommended screening guidelines, which can help detect certain cancers early. 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. Radiation exposure is one of the biggest risk factors for brain tumors. 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. If needed, the state or local health department might ask federal agencies for help with the investigation. We are concerned Colonia High School parents, alumni, and township members, writing on behalf of our school community. For example, there are exceptions, but for most cancers linked to environmental causes, theres often a delay of many years (even decades) between the time of exposure and when the cancer first appears. We and our children deserve more! Anenvironmental assessment was undertakento investigate concerns that the school buildings and grounds contained radiological contaminants that would contribute to diagnoses of brain cancers and other central nervous system tumors or disorders among former alumni, teachers and students. 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 . Scientists in the health department might also look at reports in the medical literature to see if other clusters like this have been noted in the past. Many in the community have been on edge for months following reports of an alleged cancer cluster possibly linked to the school. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Concerns about cancer clusters most often come up in schools, workplaces, and in certain areas of a community. This is something that you just dont forget.. Lupiano's sister, also a graduate of the high school, died recently from brain cancer. "I would tell residents to trust the process here," Kamal told ABC News. Of course, its also possible for cancer clusters to occur in communities as well. However, Kamal said, it's appropriate for authorities to thoroughly investigate higher-than-expected rates of brain tumors in a community. Robert Miller The investigation was jumpstarted after it was discovered more 122 people once connected to the. All rights reserved. It goes on to say that we anticipate receiving results from the comprehensive testing by the end of May. 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. The type(s) of cancer seen is also important. There is a larger than expected number of a specific type of cancer (or types of cancer that are known to have a common cause). Accessed at www.cdc.gov/nceh/clusters/faq.htm on April 29, 2019. The students are demonstrating a new understanding of college and will often reach out on their own to learn more and I think this shows that the school staff and their efforts to inform students about college and FAFSA ae working. College Connect Tempe also enters all student attendees into a $1000 scholarship drawing for attending workshops acting as an incentive for students. 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