Bethpage Residents Take It Upon Themselves To Conduct Cancer Study
BETHPAGE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Some mothers on Long Island have decided to take matters in their own hands, and conduct a study on the possible increased rates of cancer in Bethpage.
As WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported, even though a recent state Department of Health study said the cancer rates in Bethpage are no higher than in other nearby areas, some people said they believe their mothers, sisters, husbands or even they themselves developed cancer because of toxic plumes in the area.
Bethpage Residents Take It Upon Themselves To Conduct Cancer Study
The pollution was discovered back in the 1980s due to manufacturing plants.
For that reason, Deanna Verbouwens and her friend decided the study by the Department of Health was no extensive enough, since it was only limited to one area of residences near Bethpage Community Park.
So Verbouwens started the Bethpage Cancer Project, and has been going around the community collecting data.
"We're probably 60 percent of the way done," Verbouwens said. "We have over 500 cases of cancer and autoimmune diseases."
Verbouwens hopes to have the results by August.
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