HiggyBaby, the identification of a true cancer “cluster” in a particular geographic area is a rare occurrence. To the average layperson, the 150 cases of cancer in the stated 3-mile radius over a three-year period would appear to qualify as a cluster. Keep in mind, however, that this figure includes many types of cancer, and while all cancers are characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells, the similarities end there. For all intents and purposes, “cancer” is a hundred completely different diseases, each with its own symptoms, treatments, and prognoses, and all arising from a combination of genetic, molecular, and environmental causes.

The number of cases in Carlsbad is well within normal limits as set forth by epidemiology experts. This does not mean that a cancer cluster, or concomitant disease hazard, do not exist in Carlsbad; simply that the numbers alone fall well short of establishing that condition. The website authors (the parents of a recently-deceased 16-year-old boy) consulted a well-respected epidemiologist from the USC School of Medicine, and have posted Dr. Mack’s letter on their website (under the “Recent News” heading). It has quite a bit of useful information concerning the situation in Carlsbad. You can also log onto the website of the National Cancer Institute for information on cancer clusters: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/clusters

This being said, you may want to seriously reconsider purchasing a home in Carlsbad. It will take an extremely lengthy period of time to conduct the requisite epidemiological studies and, although highly unlikely, the results may indicate the presence of harmful environmental agents that pose a serious health risk. Regardless of the results, the publicity surrounding the situation will continue to build during this period, and will almost certainly affect property values in a negative way.