Health Officials Launch Investigation Into Rare Cancer In Local Kids
MARINE CITY (WWJ) - The state health department has hired an epidemiologist to investigate the troubling cases of a rare cancer in children in Macomb and St. Clair Counties. Eight children have been diagnosed with Wilms' Tumor.
Danielle Williams' 11-year-old daughter Erika was diagnosed with the disease in Marine City in 2007.
"There's something going on with this environment ... so close to chemical vally that there has to be some kind of link here. We just have to find the missing link," Williams told WWJ Newsradio 950.
Williams said the cancer is gone, but she's uncertain of the long-term effects.
"It's all too early to tell. It remains to be seen," said Williams. "Her heart was a little weak there for awhile. She needs to go back for another test on that. Actually, she's one of the lucky ones."
It's unclear what is causing the cancer, and whether it's environmental or genetic.
Williams' 14-year-old daughter has been diagnosed with Lupus and she fears it's related to the tumor cases.
Find out more about Wilms' tumor at this link.
