Feb. 19, 2006
 
CANCER CLUSTER WORRIES: Chertow: Caution, Scientific Study Still Needed
 
By Tony Rutherford Huntington News Network Writer
 
Huntington, WV (HNN) -- Although the paper co-authored by Dr. Bruce Chertow concludes an “epidemic of thyroid cancer” exists in the Huntington, WV area, Chertow stress that the jury will remain out on causes -- at least until a scientific study probes for individual commonalities of those who develop the disease.
 
Reacting specifically to the existence of a bus garage on the Barboursville Middle School property at or near the location where two teachers have been treated for thyroid cancer, Chertow said he “doesn’t know” if this could be a possible factor that would increase the risk of thyroid cancer. “It depends on what’s in the ground (i.e. soil,) and the source of water,” he stated. “Is there a well water source or do they use city water?,” he asked.
 
While environmental pollutants, such as dioxin, coal byproducts, and solvents have been blamed for some cancers, “no clear relationship exists” has been established between the “risk of thyroid cancer” and “PCB’s and like compounds.” But, substances such as benzene “could be promoters of thyroid cell growth.”
 
THYROID NECK CHECK
 
The death of U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist prompted more attention to the often undiagnosed disease. Dr. Chertow stressed that a thyroid self examination for bumps or enlargements improves early detection.
 
If an individual finds a growth, then he or she can be examined by a physician who could then determine if further testing is needed.
 
Thyroid cancer has a lengthy latency period --- from ten to thirty years --- so the diagnosis of at least two teachers at the same current location is complicated. The questions are not about NOW, but what could they have in common for ten years (or longer) that might explain the cancer.