|
|
Published October 10, 2008 12:09 am - CAMERON, Mo. — A state investigation into a rise in brain tumor cases around Cameron found no central cause, a state epidemiologist said Thursday.
Missouri: No main cause found for tumors near town
The Associated Press
CAMERON, Mo. — A state investigation into a rise in brain tumor cases around Cameron found no central cause, a state epidemiologist said Thursday.
Sarah Patrick told about 150 people at a meeting in Cameron that the number of brain tumor cases in a four-county area around the northwest Missouri town is not statistically higher than the numbers throughout the state.
Brain tumor cases are increasing throughout Missouri and the nation, and Cameron is part of that trend, Patrick said.
Patrick said about 70 people in Caldwell, Clinton, Daviess and DeKalb counties met the scientific criteria used by the state during its cancer inquiry. That included 24 with benign tumors since Jan. 1, 2004, and 46 with malignant tumors in the last 11 1/2 years.
“If your perception is that you know more people with brain tumors, and it is changing over time, that perception is right,” Patrick said. “That is true nationally, too. Brain tumor reports are going up.”
The results came after a five-month state inquiry that began when people who had either been diagnosed or had a relative diagnosed with brain tumors contacted health officials and the news media about what they considered an abnormally high number of brain tumors in and around the northwest Missouri town of about 6,500.
The state expanded the investigation to include the four counties, with a total population of about 50,000.
Patrick also said the number of brain tumor cases in the four-county area was ranked 10th behind several other types, with lung cancer at the top of the list. Statewide, brain tumor reports ranked sixth.
The findings drew immediate skepticism from some Cameron residents who have been affected by a brain tumor diagnosis.
Catherine Frasher, whose husband, Jim, has been battling a benign brain tumor since January, said she expected the state to issue the no-cause report.
“I’m disappointed, I’m very disappointed, but I expected it,” Frasher said. “Because they’ve told us the same thing all summer: ‘There’s nothing here, there’s nothing happening.’ ... You can’t tell me that there’s not something significant going on here.”
Billy Kemper, whose wife, Karen, died this summer after battling a benign brain tumor, agreed with Frasher. The Kempers lived just two houses away from the Frashers; Karen Kemper and Jim Frasher both had benign tumors near their brain stems.
“They never answered the question,” Kemper said. “Is there a cluster? They won’t say. We’ve just got too many brain tumors here. I don’t believe that, I don’t believe it all. When her mouth was moving, I didn’t believe anything she said.”
But Patrick said after the meeting that she is convinced there is not a cluster of brain tumors in Cameron.
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:
|
 |
|
LIBRARY SPECIALIST
Crowder College Lee Library, 25 hours a week. For complete information, see www.crowder.edu, employment section, or call...>MORE
LIFEGUARDS
all shifts available, Apply in person at either Joplin Family Y location. www.joplinfamilyy.org....>MORE
OPINIONS WANTED
For legal research project. Participants will listen to presentations and express their opinions. Project scheduled for ...>MORE
TRUCK MECHANIC
needed for Waste Corporation of Joplin. Competitive pay and benefits package. Requires candidate to own hand tools...>MORE
LIFEGUARDS
All shifts available, Apply in person at either Joplin Family Y location. www.joplinfamilyy.org....>MORE
DRIVERS WANTED
DRIVERS WANTED Drivers needed for Waste Corporation of Joplin, a growing company in the Joplin and surrounding areas. ...>MORE
REVETER WANTED
EXPERIENCED for brake manufacturing. Please apply in person at 3215 E. 20th, Joplin, MO. ...>MORE
CNA AND CMT
CNA AND CMT Joplin Healthcare Center is looking for CMT for day 12 hour shift. Also a CNA for night 12 hours shift. Exc...>MORE
GROWING DENTAL PRACTICE
looking for experienced Dental Assistant. Computer knowledge a must. Resumes: 2710 Picher, Joplin, MO 64804. Deadline by...>MORE
DELIVERY DRIVER
We have a full time position open for a delivery driver. Position consists of working part time in the warehouse in addi...>MORE
See all ads |
|
1999 CHEVROLET TAHOE
2 door, 2 wheel drive, barn door rear, lowered, custom paint/grill/wheels, asking $5500. (417)781-1932, or cell (417)437...>MORE
LEXUS 2002 ES
LEXUS, 2002 ES 300, silver/gray leather, navigation, heated seats, second owner, 94,000 miles, $10,900. 620-856-2804, 41...>MORE
YAMAHA 1999 ROAD STAR
Yamaha, 1999 Road Star 1600 excellent condition, less than 10,000 miles, saddle bags and highway lamps. $3500. Cell phon...>MORE
1979 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
350 automatic, $5000 or trade consider. (620)230-0459...>MORE
GMC, 2006
2500 4x4, regular cab/bed, 133,000 miles, $9850. (417)214-0022....>MORE
2005 HONDA SHADOW VLX 600
2,000 miles, color white, $3950. (417)673-3860....>MORE
CHEVROLET 1997 TAHOE
CHEVROLET, 1997 TAHOE LT, 4X4, Maroon, air, excellent condition, leather seats, power everything, $2500 or best offer Pl...>MORE
FORD 2001 ESCORT
FORD, 2001 Escort, 4 cylinder, automatic, good condition. $1800. (417)437-5682....>MORE
FORD 2000 1 TON
Ford, 2000 1 ton, 4X4, 6 speed, duals, flatbed, 7.3 diesel, $6800; 1998 Bucket truck, 55’ Altec. 417-358-8636, 483-9700....>MORE
1932 FORD
5 window, coupe, glass body rolling chassis, torch thrust, 2 wheels, etc, $18,000. (417)781-1932, or 417-437-9942...>MORE
See all ads |
|
OWNER FINANCE
OWNER FINANCE. $650 down, $435 monthly. 201 N. Washington, Joplin, 3 BR, garage, Full price $32,500. 417-359-4113. ...>MORE
OPEN HOUSE
OPEN HOUSE 7/5/09 1:00-4:00 2281 sq. ft. Updated kitchen 4 br + bonus room 2 living areas Metal roof. Stapleton school ...>MORE
2-3 BR
Basement, newly remodeled, oak cabinets, nice wood floors, privacy fence. $79,200. 2525 N. Ozark. (417)483-0900....>MORE
LAKE FRONT MOBILE
Lake Front Mobile Grove, OK 1972 14 X 46 1 Bedroom, 1 bath lake front mobile home weekend getaway. Complete with furn...>MORE
HANDYMAN SPECIAL
Handyman Special, only $500 down, owner financing, 11% interest, $345/ month, priced at $23,900. 1120 W. 12th Street (41...>MORE
INVESTORS OR START-UP
INVESTORS OR START-UP 1217 Central. $67500 2 bedroom, 1 bath, very nice,room to build more. See more at homesbyowner.co...>MORE
OPEN HOUSE
405 Keeney Street, Carl Junction. Sunday July 12 • 2 p.m.-4 p.m. This home is owned by Carl Junction R-1 School Di...>MORE
See all ads |
|
LAB PUPPIES
lab puppies, AKC 1 chocolate male 1 chocolate female 1 black male 1 black female Master, senior, and junior hunters on ...>MORE
LOST: 10 YEAR OLD YELLOW LAB
Goldie has on a flea collar, lost 6/28 between Oak Grove and Tipton Ford. PLEASE call 417-438-2828....>MORE
2002 LOWE TAHITI
2002 Lowe Tahiti 22 Deck Boat with 2002 Johnson 150 hp motor, fully loaded and lake ready, $12,500. (620)856-5165 or (41...>MORE
WANTED; 2006 OR NEWER BUMPER TRAILER
WANTED: 2006 or newer 28-29’ bumper hitch travel trailer with slide, in excellent condition. (417)235-3402....>MORE
ATTEMPTING TO LOCATE
realitives of late father, Aziel Murphy, who married Maxine Steele, of Oklahoma, on June 10, 1929. Contact Tresa Collins...>MORE
PATTERN TORCH
Industrial, $500. (417)781-1932....>MORE
NASCAR
Indy Brick Yard 400, 7/26/09, 2 at $90. 417-483-1460....>MORE
YORKIE-CHORKIE
Yorkie-Chorkie, 6 weeks, weight 12 oz. and up. 417-358-4202....>MORE
24' BAJA OUTLAW
24’ BAJA Outlaw beautiful closed bow boat, 454 Mag, all options, excellent condition, low hours with 2005 trailer, $16,0...>MORE
LAB MIX
black female, spayed, 3 years old, and 2 puppies, male/female, up to date vet care, $35 each. Refundable with proof of s...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|