Cancer Cluster In Dalton, Georgia? Part 6

NewsChannel 9 is continuing our investigation into what some say is a cluster of Glioblastoma in the Dalton, Georgia area. That's a brain tumor some studies show

occurs in one in 50,000 people a year.

Between 1999 and 2002, there were 13 cases of Glioblastoma reported in Whitfield County, according to the Tumor Registrar at Hamilton Medical Center. NewsChannel 9 has spoken to nine people who say they or a loved one was diagnosed between 2002 and 2007. They say the numbers are startling and too high for such a small area.

Tuesday we asked the Mayor of Dalton, Raymond Elrod, if he believes there's a cancer cluster in his city. He replied, "I've heard absolutely nothing officially or unofficially in regards to a cancer cluster." We then asked Mayor Elrod if he could put pressure on the state to look into the matter by asking them to do so. He says he could inquire, but "as far as putting pressure, I don't think the mayor of a city could put pressure on the state."

As we reported last week, a group affected by Glioblastoma says they're frustrated because they say no one with the state has conducted a study. The group did their own research last year and sent their findings to The Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Public Health. They say they haven't gotten any results back. NewsChannel 9 contacted the state's Department of Human Resources and was told the study would be released next week.

You can depend on us to continue to follow this story.