Cancer – Environmentally Linked?
Question
My great nephew had a brain tumor. Now, they've found a tumor in his sister's leg behind her knee. They are having their water tested. They also live in a very old house, should they be concerned with old materials used to build their house way back then? Do you think there's a possibility that it could be environmentally related? We are in south Louisiana close to the Mississippi river and close to numerous chemical plants.
Dr. Greene's Answer
What a tough time for the family!
Most tumors in kids come from a combination of genetic susceptibility and some kind of environmental insult. Not all susceptible kids get cancer, and not all kids exposed to toxins get cancer. However those kids who have both, often do. The list of possible environmental toxins is long. The chemical plants are one possibility. If there is an environmental medicine doctor in the area, a consultation might prove a very wise idea. Most cities now have good doctors in the field. The American Academy of Environmental Medicine, for example, has information on finding a doctor with experience in environmental medicine at www.aaemonline.org.
Alan Greene MD
Our goal is to improve children's health by inspiring parents to become knowledgable partners who can work with their children's physicians in new and rich ways.