Colonia graduate Al Lupiano, an environmental scientist, was the first to sound the alarm about the potential cluster. For example, there are several types of leukemia, and its important to know which type each person has. Not doing it, potentially puts the teachers and students in harms way. "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. TCE Causes Cancer; Have You Have Been Exposed? Cancer Clusters. 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. Parent Promotion- Events were promoted using Spanish and English flyers, email, text and phone. Gillicks son Michael, now 43, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a cancer of the nervous system, when he was 3 months old, and now has health problems including a massive tumor in his thoracic cavity that pushes on his spine and prevents him from sitting for long, his mother said. Available Every Minute of Every Day. Support our nonprofit newsroom. This is why the links between cancer and many cancer-causing agents (carcinogens) are often first found in studies of workers. It can be very hard to figure out which of many exposures might be the cause: With rare exceptions, scientists dont have a way of telling what trigger (if any) may have caused cancer in any one person, whether its part of a cluster or not. After some digging, a man who attended Colonia High School in Woodbridge, New Jersey, discovered more than 100 former students and staff members had been diagnosed with the same sort of brain tumor diagnosed in his wife, his sister and himself. Colonia High School in Colonia, New Jersey. 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. The areas with more cases than expected are more likely to be noticed. Our children and Colonia High School staff deserve more involvement of the State and Federal agencies. 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. 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. The American Cancer Society offers programs and services to help you during and after cancer treatment. If we can enrich science by showing that an unknown compound is in high concentration and link it to primary brain tumors, maybe we can protect others, remove it from our environment to make sure it never happens again.. At the same time, there may be people who were not exposed who develop the same cancer by chance. It sounds like they are investigating, as there are lots of things that we do not know about this, Lonser tells Newsmax. Edyta Komorek, an environmental scientist, told "Good Morning America" she was concerned her township was not doing enough to address concerns -- so she launched her own study. Why havent any soil, groundwater and indoor air samples been collected to make sure no carcinogenic contaminants are present? Joanna Gagis joined the NJ Spotlight News team in 2018. 2012;42(6):474-490. 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 were just informed by the local school officials that at this time, there is no discernable health or wellness threat to students, staff, or visitors at Colonia High School and we will remain open. We are concerned Colonia High School parents, alumni, and township members, writing on behalf of our school community. 2008;100(9):614-621. State, federal health agencies wait for Woodbridge radiation tests, Case count rises in Colonia High School cancer mystery. Targeted Outreach A targeted outreach approach can be very useful. This should include giving people a realistic idea of what may or may not be found. CORRECTION:The spelling of Lupiano has been corrected throughout this story. 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. Some of the circles with more cases might be clusters that have a single cause, but most would be due to chance. Below are some of the resources we provide. He rejected claims by community members that health officials are moving too slowly to investigate the possible cancer cluster. 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.. Community Partners- Partnerships and volunteers help make our events successful. Cancer mystery at NJ school More than 100 people who graduated from Colonia High School have developed brain cancer. Look at my son, she said. True cancer clusters rarely involve more than one type of cancer. Many in the community have been on edge for months following reports of an alleged cancer cluster possibly linked to the school. 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. Cancer clusters in the USA: What do the last twenty years of state and federal investigations tell us? More cancer cases in the United States are expected in large population centers or in places where the population tends to be older. Cancer Facts & Figures 2019.Atlanta, GA, 2019. Suppose a group of people live in a community that has a higher than expected number of cases of a certain type of cancer. If there is a potential cause, investigators first have to figure out when these people were exposed to it. The testing began Saturday, and will continue for two weeks and will cost Woodbridge at least $221,000. Frequently, in hazmat, you never find it in the first shot," Lupiano said. 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. 100 PEOPLE WITH RARE TUMORS WHO ATTENDED SAME NEW JERSEY HIGH SCHOOL DEMAND ANSWERS The 110 people that Lupiano has counted on his list of former Colonia High School graduates have been. 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. 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. Whether you want to learn about treatment options, get advice on coping with side effects, or have questions about health insurance, were here to help. 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. The type(s) and number of cancers involved, Any suspected exposure(s) that might cause cancer, The area and time period in which the cases occurred, Specific information about each person thought to be affected, Specific information about the cancers themselves, Cancer cases within family members who are blood relatives (especially cancers known to be strongly genetically linked), Different types of cancers that are not known to be related to one another, A few cases of very common cancers, particularly when the people affected are of the usual age and sex for those cancers, Cancers among people who didnt live in the same area at the time an exposure would have to had taken place to cause that cancer. Often theres a concern that the cancers might be caused by some type of carcinogen (cancer-causing agent) in the environment. This could take a few more weeks as radon detectors sitting in classrooms collect data. There are growing concerns over a medical mystery at a New Jersey high school following dozens of diagnoses of brain tumors dating back decades. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cancer Information, Answers, and Hope. 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). @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). American Cancer Society. This doesnt always mean that there isnt one; it may just be that one cant be found with the methods available at the time. 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. 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. 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. The Woodbridge town council approved two emergency resolutions earlier this week to begin radiological assessments at the high school, after resident Al Lupiano alerted . 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.. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy. "This is only the tip of the iceberg. 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. and 'What is the likelihood that a sister of me and my wife can have a brain tumor at the same time?'". Should the cases of people who moved into town in recent years be included? 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. And can the people who moved away be found? It goes on to say that we anticipate receiving results from the comprehensive testing by the end of May. He has also lost the sight in one eye, and is hearing-impaired, but is smart and funny, with a strong will to live. In many cases, investigators can determine that a cluster of cancers isnt a true cluster. Help us end cancer as we know it,for everyone. Courtesy Al Lupiano Since March, Lupiano said he has found 107 people who attended. American. "Clearly, there's enough here to move forward with additional testing by the EPA and others to really understand a bit more directly what's happening in the soil and the building materials around the school itself.". 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. Dozens of former teachers and students have . In many cases there might not be a common cause for the cancers, but it can be hard for everyone to feel sure of that. National Cancer Institute. 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 . 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. RELATED: Colonia cancer cluster testers to use spring break week to finish data collection Just how big should the bulls eye be? 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 . Other TUHSD school also coordinate their own FAFSA and college events where all students in the district are invited to attend. For a better-informed future. We're improving the lives of cancer patients and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. I am thrilled that this dynamic and dedicated team is being highlighted for their efforts!, Mary Mezey, Supervisor, City of Tempe Office of Education, Career & Family Services, 2023 Arizona Board of Regents Privacy Policy | Terms of Use, ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS Some of your concerns might be relieved during the initial phone call. 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). 20? There are several cases of a rare type of cancer. His wife, a member of the class of 1999, was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumor in 2021 on the same day as Mr. Lupianos sister, Angela, who also graduated from the high school., After Angela passed away, Mr. Lupiano vowed to get answers as to what was making this community ill., Since then, at least 100 graduates from the classes of 1972 through 2000 have come forward with information regarding their extremely rare malignant brain tumors, including glioblastomas, and inexplicable cancer diagnoses.. We can also help you find other free or low-cost resources available. For example: McClintock's Dia de los Muertos FAFSA event was promoted to our students at Tempe High as well. Suppose you took a map of the United States and started drawing random circles of different sizes in different locations. Environmental scientist Al Lupiano tells NBC4 New York that there may be a common link. For a better-informed future. Those three compounds are known or are probable carcinogens," Komorek said. This petition starter stood up and took action. Cancer is a group of more than 100 different diseases. 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. The boundaries of the area in which to include cancer cases needs to be defined carefully. Accessed at www.cdc.gov/nceh/clusters/faq.htm on April 29, 2019. 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. Think about how hard it would be to test for everything youve been exposed to, even if you knew where to start. (Also see the Additional resources section.). Some clustering of cancer cases happens by chance, but people tend to notice and report situations where rates seem to be above average. Together, were making a difference and you can, too. 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. 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. Our children and Colonia High School staff deserve more involvement of the State and Federal agencies. 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. Komorek gathered dust, caulk and soil samples and sent them to outside labs for testing. 2007;115:165-171. Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox. "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 . A part of the campus is named for Pat Barbato - a longtime football coach . Scientists have a specific definition of a cancer cluster. 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! Board Certified Radiation Oncologists proudly serving Avondale, Chandler, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Surprise, Anthem, Peoria, Fountain Hills, Wickenburg, Apache Junction, Sun City, Goodyear, Sun City West and Tempe, AZ. The boundaries of the cluster area can be hard to define: Defining the geographic cluster area is not always as clear-cut as one might think it would be. 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. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definesa cancer cluster as one where there is a greater number of cancer cases than would normally be expected; where the same type of cancer is found, and where the affected population is defined by factors such as race, age or gender, among other factors. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 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. If theres a hundred, theres probably a heck of a lot more.. Accordingly, no further testing or remediation is required or recommended atthis time," New Jersey Department of Environmental Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette said in the letter. The days that hes in pain, that he cant do what other children do. We insist on more action from the CDC, NJDOH and NJDEP. 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. It seems like the same thing here, its retroactive rather than proactive, he said, referring to the Colonia case. As soon as they found this goop was in the water, they immediately shut down those wells, and from that day on the rate of childhood cancer in Toms River began to decline, he said. due to a cancer cluster of people who have worked, or attended school and are now diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Goodman M, Naiman JS, Goodman D, LaKind JS. 2014;11(2):1479-1499. Or should it also include the larger community, or even nearby communities? Robert Miller The investigation was jumpstarted after it was discovered more 122 people once connected to the. This is discussed in more detail later on. Suspected cancer clusters can be very distressing for those affected by them. Other agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Institute of Environmental and Health Sciences (NIEHS), may also help investigate. Grad Inks Deal to Bring Free Brain Scans to NJ Community in Cancer Cluster Mystery More than 100 former Colonia High School students and staff over a 30-year period have been diagnosed with cancer ", Anahi Carvajal, College Connect Advisor, The City of Tempe and our College Connect Tempe program have been partnering with Tempe High to support FAFSA completion for the past 10 years. 10? 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. 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. According to guidelines from the CDC, Personal phone calls were made by bilingual staff members at Tempe High School. Earlier:'It can't be a coincidence': Colonia High School community probes mysterious cancer cases, Earlier:Location sought for brain scans in wake of alleged cancer cluster tied to Colonia High School, Earlier:Colonia High School cancer probe catches NJ Department of Health attention. There can be several reasons for this. The counselors, teaching staff and volunteers at THS go above and beyond to meet students and families where they are at. Colonia High School is now the. 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