Cancer Cluster Investigation, Part 9

As we dig deeper in our NewsChannel 9 investigation into a possible cancer cluster in the Dalton, Georgia area, we've learned of one more case of Glioblastoma. This one is connected to nearby Chatsworth, Georgia. A family member says the 64 year old woman was diagnosed with Glioblastoma in 2001 and died a year later.

NewsChannel 9 has spoken to nine other people who say they or a family member's been diagnosed with Glioblastoma. All nine had ties to the Dalton area. Combine that with numbers from the tumor registrar at Hamilton Medical Center and we know of at least 22 cases of Glioblastoma between 1999 and 2007 that are connected to the greater Dalton area.

You may recall from our report Thursday, we showed Dr. Reid Thompson of Vanderbilt University the information we've been gathering from those who say they've been affected by Glioblastoma in our area. He says he's interested in learning more about their cases, and those affected say they are encouraged by Dr. Thompson's response.

Meanwhile, Dr. Thompson is helping us understand who should be keeping track of the number of cancer cases. "There are national organizations that keep track of trends in cancer, mortality, diagnosis. I mean, most patients who are treated at a medical center are registered in a cancer registry."

We are waiting on The Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Public Health to release a report about the number of Glioblastoma cases in the Dalton area. They told us last week it should be ready sometime next week. You can depend on us to follow up on that.