Adams, New York: another community asking many of the same questions
Last week, we mentioned that Spectrum News was preparing a story about families in Adams, New York, who have been trying to understand multiple Ewing sarcoma diagnoses in their community.
That story is now out.
Spectrum reports at least six Ewing sarcoma cases in the southern Jefferson County area and follows families pressing state and local officials for more answers. The story also points to Ladera Ranch as another community dealing with a similarly unusual number of Ewing sarcoma cases. Spectrum Local News
What struck us is how familiar the story sounds: families connect the cases themselves, begin asking questions, and then struggle to understand what level of evidence is necessary before a larger investigation occurs.
We have been connecting with families in other communities because rare cancers are difficult to study one town at a time. No environmental cause of Ewing sarcoma has been established, but comparing multiple communities using consistent case definitions and exposure histories could help researchers identify questions that might otherwise be missed.
