Pennsylvania Endures Cancer Outbreak

As reported at http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/08/26/health/main4383880.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_4383880, in an 80-mile region Northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, an outbreak of new cancer cases were reported. Over a year later, the region was narrowed down and identified after an investigation into the new cancer cases began. The cancer outbreaks are not only a concern because of the number of cases reported, but also because of the rarity of the cancer.

What kind of outbreak occurred?

The cancer that has shown up is called polycythemia vera, also more commonly known as PV. PV is a rare cancerous illness that causes the body to make too many red blood cells because of an abnormality in the bone marrow. There are no known causes for PV, however studies from over 25years ago show that there could be a relation to chemicals and radiation. Further details of the illness can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polycythemia_vera.

How long has it been in Pennsylvania?

Polycythemia vera has only become reportable since 2001. A scientific study has taken place in Pennsylvania over the past year that investigated the reports of polycythemia vera. The polycythemia vera investigation covered reports made over a four year period, from 2001 to 2005, and concluded that Pennsylvania suffered from a higher-than-expected average of positive diagnosis. Details of the initial investigation can be found at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/sites/polycythemia_vera/.

How accurate are the local reports of the polycythemia vera cancer outbreak in Pennsylvania?

The preliminary investigation into the polycythemia vera outbreak reported somewhat higher instances than what was found by the end of the study. However, researchers also found that Pennsylvania, and other locations, do not accurately report the number of cases. Regardless, the final numbers are still higher than expected.

What could have caused the polycythemia vera cancer outbreak in Pennsylvania?

Unfortunately, the scientific investigation that covered the polycythemia vera outbreak was only funded to confirm the reports. Further funding will be needed to ascertain the source cause of the polycythemia vera cancer outbreak. However, it has been noted that the region that has been affected by the polycythemia vera outbreak has several Superfund sites including a recycling plant that accepted hundreds of thousands of gallons of industrial waste, pesticides, and other carcinogens. Another suspected source of the polycythemia vera outbreak in Pennsylvania is a power plant that burns waste coal.

What will happen now that the cancer in Pennsylvania has been verified?

Over $200,000 has been approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Further investigation into the polycythemia vera cancer outbreak in Pennsylvania will be carried out by Drexel University, however the funding has yet to pass through the full Senate.