Residents in Southern California are being asked to step forward as attorneys investigate a concerning rise in rare childhood cancers. This follows a report that at least six children affiliated with Planned Communities have been diagnosed since 2013. Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare bone and soft tissue cancer, affects roughly 200 to 240 U.S. kids and teens each year, according to the American Cancer Society.
A lawyer involved in the investigation is collecting information from families in Ladera Ranch, particularly those whose children have developed Ewing’s sarcoma or other rare cancers. The aim is to understand any environmental exposures related to these diagnoses. Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, emphasized the need for affected families to share what their kids may have been exposed to.
“The concentration of cases in a single community is extremely concerning, especially for the people who live there,” Bond stated. She urged families to disclose all potential exposures, regardless of how ordinary they might seem.
The firm is looking for feedback from parents whose children either live in or visit Ladera Ranch, or who participate in local activities. They are particularly interested in any possible exposure to pesticides, herbicides, or other environmental dangers. Nevertheless, Bond reiterated that just multiple cancer cases don’t inherently prove a specific cause, requiring robust scientific backing for legal claims.
A poignant example is the story of Brody Mattson, diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma at 17. Despite treatment, he faced complications and passed away shortly after. His mother, Megan, reported that after Brody’s diagnosis, she connected with several families, revealing five similar cases in Ladera Ranch.
Megan reflected, “It was both helpful and scary to hear from other families. We know our goals as Brody’s parents. He would want us to fight for other children.”
“I can’t definitively say this is the cause,” French remarked. “But it feels like we’re encountering more cancer cases than usual in Ladera.” She noted the higher pesticide application rates in Ladera Ranch as a concern.
Past research has explored if there’s a connection between pesticides and childhood cancers, including Ewing’s sarcoma, yet no definitive link has been confirmed. Public health officials haven’t traced an environmental cause either.
An outreach initiative has been put into motion by the Orange County Health Authority, involving experts to reassess cancer data in light of the community’s worries. They plan to share their findings with local health officials soon.
The California Department of Public Health assesses cancer clusters by comparing local case numbers to expected incidences in similar populations. They clarified that just an observed increase doesn’t certainly indicate a cluster or common cause.
“An apparent increase in a small area does not by itself prove the existence of a cluster,” the department noted.
Meanwhile, the Ladera Ranch Maintenance Corporation expressed their sympathies to affected families and acknowledged the community’s concerns.
“We take these concerns seriously and will continue to cooperate with health authorities as they review available information,” the association said.
Environmental health expert Bruce Blumberg advised reducing pesticide use when feasible, emphasizing that parents should advocate against it for the sake of health.
“If I were a parent in that area, I would push for minimizing pesticide use,” he said, arguing against risking health for superficial weed removal.
