[quote=ocrenter]went to the website, very little constructive information.
the maps were really the same map but taken at different angles.
if you look at the map, it does look concerning. a bunch of blue pins all clustered Emerald Pointe Estates, and by the coast and bunch of yellow pins and also a bunch of red pins.
but there is NO captions to explain what the pins mean. each pin represent a death? a diagnosis? a leukemia diagnosis in a youth? or a lung cancer in a 50 year smoker?
I’m not making any judgement on this because there is NOTHING to judge.[/quote]
My point exactly. Very little constructive information, but plenty of panic. Seeing all those pins is disturbing. But it’s essential to put it into context. First, take into consideration the total population in those map areas, and their demographics. Then look at disease and age, as you pointed out, and what year were they diagnosed and how long have they lived in the area (Cancer often takes years, and even decades to develop into a diagnosable condition. Perhaps a 16 year-old with non-Hodgkins lymphoma lived in Peoria, IL until age 12). Suddenly, the pins are starting to spread out a lot more, and it’s not quite as scary. And there are sooooo many more things that have to be examined when determining the epidemiology of an area’s cancer activity.
I’m not saying that the county shouldn’t engage in some testing of the air, soil, and water. I’m assuming that it’s done on a regular basis in Carlsbad, and why not take additional samples at the schools and athletic fields. But to insist on a full-blown epidemiological survey when (1) the numbers of cases are within normal limits, and (2) when prior assessments of risk in Carlsbad have been performed (2007 & 2008), with no evidence of unusual or markedly higher cancer activity, is unreasonable. These studies are unbelievably labor-intensive, and take many years to conduct and analyze the results. The associated monetary expense will be extremely high, a fact that has been completely overlooked in the press coverage. Then there’s the matter of other costs: the depressed property values that will almost certainly result, and the loss of Carlsbad’s employers and corporate tax base. After all, how is the local Chamber of Commerce supposed to handle the issue of a cancer cluster in their promotional materials.
As I said, I feel for the Quartarones, and hope that I am never in their position. But, in addition to concerns about them that I detailed in my earlier post, there is their response at the town meeting that was held recently. Dr. Thomas Mack, a highly respected epidemiologist from USC, has not only taken the time to analyze the Carlsbad data and information, but also to attend, and speak at, the meeting. The Quartarones, despite claiming that they want to “find out once and for all, if there is a problem in Carlsbad”, completely dismissed Dr. Mack and his data. From a local NBC affiliate report, 4/29 : “Others were also upset, especially with Dr. Thomas Mack, who the state has designated to investigate the possible cancer cluster. Mack told the audience that there was nothing unusual about Carlsbad. “He was just telling us research from 2000 to 2007, it was making me boil,”said Stacey Quartarone. She and her husband John lost their 16 year old son Chase last December to lymphoma. They have been pushing for an in depth investigation into what they believe is an unusually high number of cancer cases among adults and children in Carlsbad.”
The Quartarones claim that they want information, but reject data when it’s presented to them. It appears that what they are actually seeking is a (quick) confirmation of their own diagnosis of the problem.
Again, I am not saying that there is not a problem in Carlsbad. I’m saying that, based on the data, the numbers of cases of a wide variety of cancers in Carlsbad are within normal limits. I also endorse taking some additional air, water, and soil samples, both randomly and from suspect areas.
However, if the results of the sampling are also within normal limits, what then? The short- and long-term repercussions of their decisions should be carefully considered by the residents and the leaders of Carlsbad, with the aid of expert opinion.
