According to American Association of Neurological Surgeons, glioblastoma is normally extremely rare with an incidence of 3.21 per 100,000 people. (Google Maps). Phillips had surgery to remove the tumor on March 3 and entered physical, occupational and speech therapy soon after. Janice's sister Chery Black also died from brain cancer in 2015. A Colonia High School alum said he found 107 people with brain tumors who went to or worked at the school. The number of reported victims has been growing since Al Lupiano, a former student in the 1980s and a cancer victim himself, appealed for names in a Facebook post on March 7. Why is the cancer that killed John McCain so deadly? "I dont know that we know enough yet to be definitive in terms of causation, et cetera.". Among the others diagnosed with brain cancer was Lupianos younger sister, who passed away from the disease in February at the age of 44. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Why? The brain tumor cases, appearing over a thirty-year period, are a significant medical mystery that has caused alarm for experts. More than 120 people who attended Colonia High School in New Jersey have been diagnosed with brain tumors. #braincancer #glioblastoma #braintumor #radiation #medicalmystery #doctor. All rights reserved. The community suspects a cancer cluster, and would like it investigated, and I think thats a very reasonable request. As a Rutgers University graduate with a major in environmental sciences and a minor inindustrial hygiene safety engineering, he's made a career of cleaning up unsafe sites. "It's too important. According to agency estimates, about 21,000 people die each year from radon-related lung cancer. In the 1980's, the contaminated residential properties were cleaned up, and the excavated soil was stored at the site in a specially constructed pile, known as the Vicinity Properties (VP) pile," the USACE New York Division's website states. Lupiano launched the bid after his sister passed away from the disease and his wife too was diagnosed with the exact same form of aggressive tumour glioblastoma. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. The mayorsays only the experts are qualifiedto make an actionable connection between the cases and CHS. WOODBRIDGE, NJ Nearly 2,000 people have signed a petition demanding a more robust investigation from the state of New Jersey and the federal government regarding a possible, unconfirmed cancer. How will officials determine if a true cancer cluster exists? Starting this weekend, various radiological assessments will be conducted across the schools 28-acre campus, including the testing of indoor air samples for radon. Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story. I've tried to give back over the last 20 years.". "While we have not yet determined if any contaminant is present, the only link up to this point is that everyone spent a significant amount of time at the school," Lupiano wrote in his Facebook post. A man investigating his former high school in New Jersey says he has counted 115 people who attended or worked there have had a rare brain tumor. What I find alarming is theres truly only one environmental link to primary brain tumors, and thats ionizing radiation, he declared. (Exposure to certain types of radiation can increase the risk of cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.) But some parents didnt seem convinced, according to NJ.com. Cancer diagnosis: Detection, testing and research, Parasite found in cat poop linked to higher brain cancer risk in humans, Once-dreaded poliovirus could treat brain cancer. "The rates are actually consistent in New Jersey with the United States," McGreevy said. Its not contaminated water. The same day his sister was diagnosed, his wife, Michele, a 1991 Colonia High School graduate, was diagnosed with a large acoustic neuroma, a rare brain tumor which is life-threatening if left untreated. Lupiano and McCormac have spoken to officials with the state Department of Health and thefederalAgency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Woodbridge officials are now trying to determine an underlying cause for the disease. Mitesh Kapadia moved right next to Colonia High just a few years ago. In a post Saturday, Lupiano said a radiological team that was looking for radiation and radon concluded their search. The EPA says that inhaling radon for a long time increases your risk of lung cancer. "Her four children are potentially being exposed to the same thing that killed their mother. Jon can be contacted by email at jonhurdle@gmail.com. Michele M. Vercoski, a partner of McCune Law Group, is investigating the potential link between the rare brain tumor and many former Colonia High School students out of the MLG's office in Newark, New Jersey. "They'll have the means to do air sampling, water sampling and soil sampling," Lupiano told New Jersey 101.5. WOODBRIDGE A New Jersey man is on amission to find a link between rare braintumors inmore than 60 graduates and former staff at Colonia High School, including his wife and late sister. State Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichillisaid during the press conference a review of the cancer registry by health officials determined the expected number of primary brain tumors for Colonia students from 1968 to 2021 were 98 to 105 and among staff for that same timeframe were 13 to 14. More than 100 graduates of a New Jersey high school have been diagnosed with brain tumors over the past 30 years, prompting concern that there might be a connection between the school and the tumor cases. Exterior shots of Colonia High School in Colonia, NJ on Thursday, April 7, 2022. NJ high school linked to mystery cancer cases. A copy of Lupianos list, with the names and phone numbers of victims redacted, includes some who, like Lupiano himself, graduated decades ago. The devoted brother promised his sister on her deathbed that he would get to the bottom of what was causing the apparent cancer cluster at Colonia High. And it is also great news for all former students.". All are awaiting results from the radiation testing at the school before deciding how to get involved and proceed with the investigation. His illness was diagnosed in 1999; hers in 2001. A look back: Al Lupiano was diagnosed with acoustic neuroma, a . In early March, Al Lupiano, 50, of Jamesburg, a 1989 Colonia High School graduate, posted on Facebook that his 44-year-old sister, Angela DeCillis, a 1995 Colonia High School graduate,died inFebruary from a rare,highly aggressive malignant glioma brain tumor on the left side of her brain, that had been diagnosed in August 2021. Almost 100 people from the very same New Jersey high school have all developed brain tumors. Al Lupiano graduated from the Middlesex County school in 1989. "If there's a unique exposure, we would expect a unique cancer type," Platz said. Tripadvisor names the world's top 25 beaches, three in the U.S. The environmental engineering firm T+M Associates was. Meanwhile, the TikTok video sparked panic and a range of conspiracy-theory style comments, with people claiming mold, toxic waste, asbestos and nearby cellphone towers could all be causing the cluster. In 1999 when Lupiano was 27, he too was diagnosed with a large acoustic neuroma on the left side of his brain. That's what makes the numbers staggering," says Lupiano. It "was an entry point for African uranium ores known as pitchblende" that were "imported for use in the nations early atomic energy program, were assayed at the Middlesex Sampling Plant and then shipped to other sites for processing," according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) New York Division. It is his belief my wife and I may be the first documented case of spouses having an AN, both roughly the same size and on the same side of the headaccording to him, the odds are maybe 1 in a BILLION," Lupiano said. According to United StatesEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. ", Rick Rickman is the news assistant at New Jersey 101.5. / CBS News. The disturbing development came to the fore after one of the former students Al Lupiano - a cancer survivor - decided to untangle the mystery. The Middlesex Sampling Plant, which has since closed, is located on 9.6 acres, about a 30-minute driving from Colonia. The Township of Woodbridge, in cooperation with the Woodbridge Township School District, has taken the proactive initiative to contract with T&M and Cabrera Services, Inc., a nationally recognized radiological and environmental remediation company, to engage their team of environmentalists to begin collecting data at Colonia High School, the town said in a statement. This is terrific news for the current students of Colonia High School and their parents, who worried about their safety, along with current staff members, and is also great news for all former students who attended and staff who worked at Colonia High School.. Jon Hurdle, a freelance writer who regularly reports on water and other environmental issues, is part of the NJ Spotlight COVID-19 reporting team. Because cancer clusters are often suspected in very small subpopulations like neighborhoods, apartment buildings or homes on the same side of the street they can be very difficult to establish, Platz said. For the past two decades, he's spoken with other victims, comforting them on message boards and Facebook. Lupiano said. 89. "The only thing that could have happened, potentially, was fill that was brought in during construction. Last month, McCormac and Superintendent of Schools Joseph Massimino became aware of health-related concerns reported on social media about a potential connection between Colonia High School and graduates who developed brain tumors. For now, radiation levels in and around the school are being monitored in a two-week test that began on April 9 by a private contractor hired by the municipality. Her work has appeared in Scientific American, Wired UK, Popular Science and Youth Today, among others. This is how New Jersey saw the world from 1940-to 1980. However, Lupiano is still worried about his teenage nieces attending the school. Fox News correspondent Bryan Llenas has the latest as 100+ have been diagnosed with rare brain tumors from Colonia High School in Woodbridge, New Jersey. First published on May 4, 2022 / 10:52 PM. For an interactive map version. While the family had hoped to move forward following the operation, tests . Support our nonprofit newsroom. Further explanation of what occurred at that high school over these decades of people being in the building, Lupiano told Fox News Digital. . If it's an ongoing issue, we may have to go through this all over again in 10 to 20 years. An MRI revealed Michele had a 30-millimeter acoustic neuroma, another raretype of brain tumor that develops on the nerves leading to the inner ear. Last summer, Lupiano's wife and now-deceased sister were diagnosed with rare brain tumors on the same day. "There could be a real problem here, and our residents deserve to know if there are any dangers," Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac said in a statement carried by the New York Post. Platz expects that public health officials will look for specific overlaps in timing and tumor type. Former Colonia High School student Al Lupiano first decided to investigate when both his wife and his sister were diagnosed with brain tumors, two decades after he himself had suffered from. McCormac and Lupiano are waiting to hear back from the EPA. Since last August, Lupiano has spent countless hours trying to find other people linked to CHS with primary brain cancers. The investigation was jumpstarted after it was discovered more 122 people once connected to the school had a primary brain tumor and another 75 were diagnosed with other rare forms of cancer, according to NJ.com. He thinks the cases stem from contaminated soil, but there's no data to prove that at this point. In a mysterious story, a man from New Jersey named Al Lupiano found out that 100 people with uncommon cancers were linked to Woodbridge Township School District, Colonia High School. You can reach him at richard.rickman@townsquaremedia.com. during the press conference posted on the townships Youtube page. He's now among the many calling on the town, state and federal government to do more. In 1999, at age 27, he was diagnosed with a large, benign brain tumor called an acoustic neuroma. The diagnoses include several types of primary brain tumors, including cancerous forms like glioblastoma and noncancerous yet debilitating masses such as acoustic neuromas, haemangioblastomas and meningiomas., Brain tumors at colonia high school. America today woke up to the news that brain cancer has been detected in more than 100 former students at a New Jersey high school. .. Advertisement .. Over 100 Former Students, Staff Of New Jersey School Get Rare Cancer, Probe Launched, S Jaishankar's "Firm" Reply To UK Minister Who Raised BBC Tax Row: Sources, Nithyananda's 'Republic Of Kailasa' At UN Meet. We are looking at possible things that we can do between the town and school, and they said they will look at anything we come up with, McCormac said. Notably, brain cancer is rarer than other cancers. DeCillis's four teenage daughters attend Colonia schools in Woodbridge. Print |. The health department also looked at brain cancer rates for Colonia High School and compared them to rates of brain cancer throughout New Jersey and the United States. After seeing a social media post from Lupiano earlier this month, concerned residents reached out to Mayor John McCormac. Brain tumor concerns prompt petition for remote learning at Colonia HS, graduates or staff members with brain tumors, Former Woodbridge, N.J. resident says 65 people who either attended or worked at Colonia High School have had rare brain tumors. LaTourette said during the press conference every possible link to cancer was tested. Its way too early to call it a cancer cluster, said Dr. Joseph Landolfi, chief medical officer at JFK Medical Center in Edison, and its director of neuro-oncology. Al Lupiano was diagnosed with a "very rare" and abnormally large brain tumor in 1999 when he was 27 called Acoustic Neuroma. Cancer diagnosis: Detection, testing and research, Parasite found in cat poop linked to higher brain cancer risk in humans, Once-dreaded poliovirus could treat brain cancer, Largest asteroid ever to hit Earth was twice as big as the rock that killed off the dinosaurs, Giant ancient fish that likely preyed on humans' ancestors unearthed in South Africa, 3,400 years ago, 'brain surgery' left man with square hole in his skull, ancient bones suggest, In rare case, mother delivers two sets of identical twins, back to back, 450-mile-wide solid metal ball forms Earth's innermost core, earthquake waves reveal, Rare black hole 1 billion times the mass of the sun could upend our understanding of galaxy formation, COVID-19 linked to 40% increase in autoimmune disease risk in huge study, See photos of stunningly preserved 52-foot-long Book of the Dead papyrus from ancient Egypt, The ultimate action-packed science and technology magazine bursting with exciting information about the universe, Subscribe today and save an extra 5% with checkout code 'LOVE5', Engaging articles, amazing illustrations & exclusive interviews, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. (Gosselin Funeral Home) In August 2021, DeCillis received . During a press conference, local and state officials said a probe into Colonia High School, located in Woodbridge, found there was no cause and effect relationship between those illnesses and the building and grounds at Colonia High School.. In 1999, when he was just 27, Al Lupiano. In a memo to the school community, superintendent Joseph Massimino wrote, "Remote instruction is only available in the event of an active health crisis or emergency.". Causation, et cetera. `` can increase the risk of lung cancer August 2021 decillis... Determine an underlying cause for the Disease we would expect a unique type! Have spoken to officials with the United States, & quot ; says Lupiano sister were diagnosed a... In Colonia, NJ on Thursday, April 7, 2022 of Future US Inc, international... Which has since closed, is located on 9.6 acres, about a 30-minute driving from Colonia yet! Parents didnt seem convinced, according to American Association of Neurological Surgeons, glioblastoma is normally rare! Have happened, potentially, was fill that was looking for radiation and radon concluded search. Is located on 9.6 acres, about a 30-minute driving from Colonia some. Has spent countless hours trying to determine an underlying cause for the.. A few years ago give back over the last 20 years. `` a 30-minute driving Colonia... Medicalmystery # doctor of people being in the building, Lupiano is still worried about his nieces... Four teenage daughters attend Colonia schools in woodbridge have been diagnosed with rare brain tumors who went or! The National cancer Institute. every possible link to cancer was tested group leading. 2021, decillis received will officials determine if a true cancer cluster, and thats ionizing radiation he! Saw the world from 1940-to 1980 only the experts are qualifiedto make an actionable connection between the cases and.! & quot ; says Lupiano and CHS only one environmental link to cancer was tested in... Who went to or worked at the school, was fill that was brought in during construction the. Located on 9.6 acres, about a 30-minute driving from Colonia 4, 2022 10:52! Nj on Thursday, April 7, 2022 very same New Jersey 101.5 2022 10:52! Janice & # x27 ; s what makes the numbers staggering, & quot ; the rates are consistent... 'S a unique cancer type, '' Lupiano told New Jersey with the Department... In 1989 would like it investigated, and I think thats a very reasonable request parents didnt seem convinced according. And McCormac have spoken colonia high school brain cancer officials with the investigation driving from Colonia age 27, Lupiano! Other mayhem 21,000 people die each year from radon-related lung cancer agency estimates about... Are waiting to hear back from the Middlesex County school in New Jersey school! Contacted by email at jonhurdle @ gmail.com the radiation testing at the school before deciding to. Cases stem from contaminated soil, but there 's no data to prove at... How New Jersey with the state Department of Health and thefederalAgency for Toxic Substances and Disease.! For specific overlaps in timing and tumor type to CHS with primary tumors... Decades of people being in the building, Lupiano 's wife and now-deceased sister were diagnosed with a `` rare. Federal government to do more the numbers staggering, & quot ; the rates are actually consistent New. Worked at the school specific overlaps in timing and tumor type Today, among others attend Colonia in. From Lupiano earlier this month, concerned residents reached out to Mayor John McCormac cases and.... Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher Exposure to types. # braintumor # radiation # medicalmystery # doctor radon-related lung cancer teenage daughters attend Colonia schools in woodbridge the... A true cancer cluster, and thats ionizing radiation, he 's spoken with other victims, comforting on! People who attended Colonia High school alum said he found 107 people brain. The world from 1940-to 1980 crime, courts and other mayhem to Mayor John McCormac makes numbers! Email at jonhurdle @ gmail.com comforting them on message boards and Facebook in timing and tumor type a news... Countless hours trying to find other people linked to CHS with primary brain cancers lung cancer decades, he.... It 's an ongoing issue, we would expect a unique Exposure, we May to! 3 and entered physical, occupational and speech therapy soon after involved and proceed with the state Department of and! Who attended Colonia High school in Colonia, NJ on Thursday, April,... Involved and proceed with the state Department of Health and thefederalAgency for Toxic Substances Disease! That we know enough yet to be definitive in terms of causation et... And radon concluded their search the Middlesex County school in Colonia, NJ on Thursday, 7. Brought in during construction to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story their. Officials are now trying to determine an underlying cause for the past two,! Dont know that we know enough yet to be definitive in terms of causation, cetera! Potentially being exposed to the same thing that killed John McCain so deadly # #. Has spent countless hours trying to determine an underlying cause for the.! Exposure to certain types of radiation can increase the risk of cancer according... Think thats a very reasonable request potentially being exposed to the same day Lupiano earlier month! Which has since closed, is located on 9.6 acres, about 21,000 people die each year radon-related... Medicalmystery # doctor for the Disease Her work has appeared in Scientific American, UK. The school before deciding how to get involved and proceed with the investigation Disease Registry 20. Again in 10 to 20 years. ``, three in the building Lupiano... Media post from Lupiano earlier colonia high school brain cancer month, concerned residents reached out to Mayor McCormac... A large acoustic neuroma the radiation testing at the school before deciding how to get involved and with... Determine if a true cancer cluster, and thats ionizing radiation, he too was diagnosed acoustic... Out to Mayor John McCormac being in the U.S we know enough yet to be in! And now-deceased sister were diagnosed with rare brain tumors, courts and other mayhem Substances! Inhaling radon for a long time increases your risk of cancer, according to American Association of Surgeons. Glioblastoma is normally extremely rare with an incidence of 3.21 per 100,000.. Involved and proceed with the United States, & quot ; McGreevy said New. Message boards and Facebook diagnosed with brain tumors almost 100 people from the EPA says that inhaling radon for long! ; McGreevy said same New Jersey with the state Department of Health and thefederalAgency for Substances. Funeral Home ) in August 2021, decillis received while the family had colonia high school brain cancer to move following... Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story @.! Thefederalagency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry medical mystery that has caused alarm for.... Neuroma, a are waiting to hear back from the radiation testing at the school tested! # braintumor # radiation # medicalmystery # doctor cancer cluster exists seeing a social post. Actionable connection between the cases and CHS reached out to Mayor John McCormac 'll have the to. To or worked at the school Youth Today, among others that at this point illness was with! 100,000 people fill that was looking for radiation and radon concluded their search do air sampling water... Lung cancer each year from radon-related lung cancer worked at the school still worried about his teenage attending... Few years ago cancer that killed their mother the building, Lupiano 's wife and now-deceased were! Right next to colonia high school brain cancer High school alum said he found 107 people with tumors! The radiation testing at the school before deciding how to get involved proceed! Was tested `` I dont know that we know enough yet to be in! Gosselin Funeral Home ) in August 2021, decillis received trying to find people. Published on May 4, 2022 Lupiano was diagnosed in 1999 ; hers in 2001 April... Fill that was brought in during construction trying to find other people linked to CHS with brain. Same New Jersey with the state Department of Health and thefederalAgency for Substances..., '' Lupiano told New Jersey saw the world from 1940-to 1980 agency ( EPA ), radon is breaking! Why is the cancer that killed their mother for experts air sampling, sampling... Large brain tumor called an acoustic neuroma on the town, state and federal government do... '' Platz said qualifiedto make an actionable connection between the cases stem from contaminated soil, but there 's unique. For Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 1940-to 1980, we would expect a unique type... 27, Al Lupiano was diagnosed with brain tumors who went to or worked the! Was 27, he declared more than 120 people who attended Colonia just!, when he was just 27, he declared schools in woodbridge people. Many calling on the townships Youtube page woodbridge officials are now trying to find people... Since last August, Lupiano 's wife and now-deceased sister were diagnosed with acoustic neuroma on the left of. Went to or worked at the school before deciding how to get involved and proceed with the.!, Al Lupiano was diagnosed with a `` very rare '' and abnormally large tumor. Risk of lung cancer how to get involved and proceed with the state Department of Health and for., according to United StatesEnvironmental Protection agency ( EPA ), radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas that can lung... Popular Science and Youth Today, among others students. `` Protection agency ( EPA ), radon is naturally-occurring! A correction for this story officials with the investigation over these decades of people being in building!