Suspected Hudson Valley Cancer Cluster: Still No Answers

A Hudson Valley community is still awaiting the results of an investigation after 6 children under the age of 10 were all diagnosed with the same childhood cancer within a 20 month period.  In October of 2013, CBS News first reported on a suspected cancer cluster in the Town of Lloyd . Parents began to raise concerns after seeing an alarming number of children diagnosed with Leukemia. The Daily Freeman quoted the parent of one sick child as saying the cases were all found within the same 4 mile radius near New Paltz Road in Highland.

A cancer cluster investigation is something that usually takes time. In November of 2013 The Freeman spoke with Ulster County Department of Health's commissioner, Dr. Carol Smith. She cautioned:

This isn’t something they can do overnight because, when you do a study like, this you have to look at getting all the data together and make some inquiries individually about the cases, where were they diagnosed, when were they diagnosed, age, type of leukemia

Although no one has reported on any new developments in the investigation, some have suspected that environmental pollution may be the cause. When asked by CBS News about possible reasons for the alarming number of childhood cancer cases last year, town supervisor and lifelong Highland resident, Paul Hansut, pointed to the area's long tradition of family farming.

They would be spraying in the back and picking the apples and all that kind of stuff... You never really thought about it at that time. I don't know if that has anything to do with it. That's kind of why we're hoping to get some data collection and get some experts in.

For those who still live in fear and are looking for answers, the American Cancer Society warns that it's actually quite rare for an investigation to confirm a true cancer cluster. And even if a cluster is discovered, it's usually even rarer to pinpoint a possible cause.

Answers may not help the families who are already affected, but as one child's parent told CBS, "I do want answers even though it’s not going to change my situation whatsoever. But it may give me a little peace of mind."