THE ACREAGE, FL-- Pouring over state statistics on elevated levels of pediatric cancers between 1997 and 2007 leaves Jennifer Dunsford frustrated.
She and three other Acreage mothers, whose kids developed tumors in 2008, say their more recent numbers should be an even bigger red flag.
"We're saying it's ten times what it should be, not six times," she said.
On Friday, 6 child cancers were reported in the state survey of the cancer registry for Acreage residents.
The four others, the 2008 cases, were mentioned but deemed 'not complete.'
The total of six was considered high by the state.
For a population of 50,000, the number should be 1.2 child cancers.
The state research indicates there were five different brains cancers identified in The Acreage children. Dr. Alina Alonso of the Palm Beach County Health Department maintains that is an important distinction.
As phase two of the investigation begins the mothers who first raised the possibility of a cluster want three things: Cancer registry research done of people who have moved out of The Acreage in the past two years. A better read on population growth, or shrinkage, a key factor in determining if the elevated numbers are as alarming as some feel they are. And, why eight of the ten children who developed cancers in The Acreage are girls when, in fact, young boys are slightly more prone to developing pediatric cancer.
