This creates a heightened awareness of cancer, and when the person meets someone else with a form of cancer, which may or may not be the same kind of cancer, he or she may believe that a cluster exists. Many people do not realize that cancer is actually a common disease. According to the American Cancer Society, one out of three Americans will eventually develop cancer. Considering these statistics, it really is not that surprising that several neighbors and others in close proximity might be stricken with a form of cancer. At this time, there are many, many questions, and very few good answers.
Nobody wants to minimize the pain, frustration and anxiety associated with a serious illness.
And emotions run high when several persons in close proximity appear to become stricken by the same disease. As of now, however, it appears that many reported disease clusters may be nothing more than statistical abnormalities, and not indicators of a common toxic threat. He was a New Jersey Deputy Attorney General assigned to the State Department of Environmental Protection from 1986 - 1990. Written by Stuart Lieberman Click here for a printer-friendly version of this article. Click here to translate this page to another language.