Environmental Pollutants
Acreage Investigation
|
Acreage brain cancer
Weitz & Luxenberg is no longer accepting cases concerning the Acreage cancer cluster. This information is provided for informational purposes only.
Perceived high incidence of Acreage brain cancer leads to investigation by health officials
Our attorneys are currently speaking with Acreage residents about a possible lawsuit involving brain cancer and other health problems. To find out more, complete the form below.
Background: On May 13, 2009 an email came into the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Epidemiology, (State Epidemiologist, Dr. Richard Hopkins) requesting assistance in investigating a possible increase in childhood brain cancers in an unincorporated area west of Palm Beach called the Acreage.
The individual was a concerned resident whose child had been recently diagnosed and treated for brain cancer. The resident stated that in the course of treatment for her child she had learned about numerous other families in the area with similar cancers and felt that there were an alarming number of brain cancers, particularly among children in her area.
The Florida Department of Health (FDOH), Division of Environmental Health (EH), began an investigation using the Florida Cancer Inquiry protocol.
On May 14, 2009 an initial contact letter was sent to the citizen providing an explanation of the general steps involved in the Acreage cancer cluster Inquiry process and providing some additional information and links. A dozen copies of the Patient Listing Form (PLF) were also included and the initiator was asked to complete, sign and return the form to FDOH. The resident had indicated that she would be willing and comfortable asking other members of the community to complete this form. These fellow residents had the option of completing the form and sending it in to FDOH on their own or allowing the citizen initiator to send it in with other forms as a package. The letter was mailed and emailed to the resident and the PLF was provided as a template attachment.
Information provided on the PLF is compared to data in the state cancer registry to verify address, time of diagnosis and type of cancer. The related PLFs are used to get an initial overview of the types of cancers seen in the community as well as the size and location of the geographic area in question. For this inquiry, FDOH began a Level I inquiry (the first level of investigation) and utilized existing published data to accomplish the review for the period 1995-2007.
The purpose of the Level I study was to determine whether there is an increase in brain cancers or pediatric brain cancers in the Acreage area over what may be expected based on FCDS data during the time period 1995-2007.
see also:
8-27-09 Meeting
Cancer Cluster Acreage Lawyers | Weitz & Luxenberg News UpdatesFamilies of the Acreage may get a free lawsuit review from our lawyers
Tumors
Acreage Tumors Children Diagnosed | Weitz & LuxenbergThe Acreage Families of children diagnosed with tumors - Legal Options
Background
Acreage Brain Cancer | Weitz & Luxenberg Lawyers InvestigateDid pollution in the Acreage cause brain cancer? Free lawsuit review
