Did you know that Florida had three confirmed disease clusters? In Loxahatchee (Acreage), they found a brain cancer cluster. In Immokalee, they found a birth-defect cluster, and in Tallevast, they found a cancer cluster.
However, these aren't the only cancer cluster concerns. Many more were investigated throughout the state. There is a need for better documentation of disease clusters to address possible causes. Below are a few cases in the news throughout the years and some resources to begin your research.
Azalea Neighborhood of St. Petersburg
- Raytheon's Groundwater Contamination Problem in St. Petersburg: https://pinellas.legalexaminer.com/health/toxic-substances/raytheon39s-groundwater-contamination-problem-in-st-petersburg/
Apopka Neighborhood
- Man claims water is causing cancer cluster in the community: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/man-claims-water-is-causing-cancer-cluster-in-community/258463245/#:~:text=ORANGE%20COUNTY%2C%20Fla.,the%20water%20made%20her%20sick.&text=The%20man%20told%20Estevez%20about,cancer%20in%20his%20immediate%20community.
- Port St. John is an unincorporated neighborhood that was investigated for having a cancer cluster and asthma issues in children before two power plants were decommissioned in the area and a new plant was built.
- Palm Bay's Harris Corporation is a superfund site where numerous health investigations occurred, and families brought forward health concerns, including childhood cancer.
- Kennedy Space Center workers have brought forward health concerns regarding exposures to legacy contamination from the shuttle era. There was an ALS cluster investigation among workers at NASA.
- Satellite Beach High School graduates brought concerns in 2018 after learning that the air force base next door, Patrick Air Force Base, had high levels of PFAS chemicals in their wells. 56 graduates were diagnosed with rare cancers, including an Oncologist who attended the high school. The survivors and Fight For Zero pushed for a health investigation and regulations on the chemicals found in the area's groundwater.
- South Patrick Shores is an unincorporated neighborhood directly next to Patrick Air Force Base that had 30 cases of Hodgkin's Lymphoma in the 90s. The nonprofit organization, Fight For Zero, brought forward concerns regarding buried military debris underneath homes and pushed for a Formerly Used Defense Site designation in 2019.
- PFAS Chemicals were detected in the City of Titusville, Melbourne, and Palm Bay drinking water by nonprofit organization Fight For Zero through professional laboratory testing.
- Indian River Lagoon is a national estuary of significance that has had harmful algae blooms throughout the past decade. During warmer months, chemicals used on lawns and by government agencies wash into the watershed feeding harmful algae and causing blooms. Cyanobacteria cause harmful health effects, and bacteria from sewage spills have been known to cause severe infections such as MRSA.
Brevard County, Florida | Patrick Air Force Base + Space Industry
- Abnormally High Rates of Cancer Say Report By Florida Dept. of Health: https://spacecoastdaily.com/2019/05/abnormally-high-rates-of-cancer-south-of-satellite-beach-says-report-by-florida-dept-of-health/
- Brevard County 2019 Cancer Assessment: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12hb0oONtTFVSLA2UUlIpgBAt3nRn3Bbu/view?usp=sharing
- Brevard County PFAS 2018 Sampling: https://appliedecologyinc.com/pfas-and-priority-pollutant-sampling/
- Brevard tests unearth more cancer-causing compounds: https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/environment/lagoon/2018/11/30/brevard-tests-unearth-more-cancer-causing-compounds/2153023002/
- Community attends a meeting about the possible cancer cluster: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/-i-need-to-know-what-s-going-on-residents-attend-meeting-about-cancer-cluster-in-satellite-beach/806844294/
- Fear of possible 'cancer cluster' gains attention: http://veronews.com/2018/06/21/fear-possible-cancer-cluster-gains-attention/
- Florida cancer report: Elevated cases rates found in 2 zip codes: https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/environment/2019/05/02/florida-health-officials-release-brevard-cancer-investigation/3618406002/
- Florida community raises alarm about potential cancer link to water contamination: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/florida-community-raises-alarm-potential-cancer-link-water/story?id=56340438
- Florida woman is convinced what the military dumped underground is partly to blame for why she's wasting away: https://www.news-journalonline.com/zz/news/20200103/florida-woman-fought-air-force-30-years-ago-to-remove-radar-dome-now-shes-dying
- Groundwater Contamination Detected at Kennedy Space Center: https://waterwelljournal.com/groundwater-contamination-detected-at-kennedy-space-center/?fbclid=IwAR2vcN4BI4lFxuvdv_cmjdT-Sfw1SYUAomC1r-X5xQq89Pjq_IGYC_9gNpE
- High number of cancer cases found in 2 zip codes: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/local/environment/2019/05/02/florida-health-officials-release-brevard-cancer-investigation/3618406002/
- No Confirmation of "Cancer Cluster" Near Patrick AFB: https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2019/05/03/report-on-pfas-in-drinking-water-near-patrick-base-florida-health-department
- Official Investigate Possible Cancer Link to Water Contamination in Brevard County: https://weather.com/science/environment/news/2018-07-05-florida-brevard-satellite-beach-cocoa-chemicals-cancer-water
- Satellite Beach School Crowdsourced Cases: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CbNfI3Uxt3yiIWiCQICt339idsOy7n6T/view?usp=sharing
- Patrick Air Force Base Documents: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PFtiS_AYwXHN4GvCxE66HwAmWb9lHKL2?usp=sharing
- South Patrick Shores & Satellite Beach 1990 Cancer Investigation Reports: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1eBxfdx9zol7c0vr87RdkWtY9DIzRs-t-
Manatee County, Florida | Bayshore High School Cluster
- Alleged 'Cancer Cluster' focus of Manatee County meeting: https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local-news/alleged-cancer-cluster-focus-of-special-manatee-county-meeting
- Bayshore alum is still looking for answers: https://www.dailycommercial.com/news/20170319/bayshore-alum-is-still-looking-for-answers
- Bradenton High School Investigated as Potential Cancer Cluster: https://health.wusf.usf.edu/post/bradenton-high-school-investigated-potential-cancer-cluster#stream/0
- Cancer cluster deadline approaching for Bayshore High School: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/health/cancer-cluster-deadline-approaching-for-bayshore-high-school/67-530095844
- County commissioner want answers Bayshore cancer cluster theory: https://www.bradenton.com/news/local/education/article146722224.html
- Data being analyzed in study of possible cancer cluster among Bayshore High School graduates: https://www.mysuncoast.com/2018/10/31/data-being-analyzed-study-possible-cancer-cluster-among-bayshore-high-school-graduates/
- Health department investigating possible cancer cluster at Florida high school: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/health-department-investigating-possible-cancer-cluster-at-florida-high-school/
- Investigation into suspected 'cancer cluster' in Florida: https://www.wctv.tv/content/news/Investigation-into-suspected-cancer-cluster-in-Florida-424976634.html
- Investigation To Begin in Suspected 'Cancer Cluster': https://health.wusf.usf.edu/post/investigation-begin-suspected-cancer-cluster-bradenton#stream/0
- New Evidence of Cancer Cluster?: https://health.wusf.usf.edu/post/new-evidence-cancer-cluster#stream/0
- State officials begin collecting health data to study Bayshore High School cancer cluster: https://www.wfla.com/news/state-officials-to-begin-collecting-health-data-to-study-bayshore-high-school-cancer-cluster/
Orange County, Florida | Avalon Park OUC Plant
- Characterizing the Cancer Burden in Orange County: http://www.cancer.uci.edu/PDF/Catchment%20area%20slide%20deck%20FINAL.pdf
- Data on east Orange cancer cases near OUC coal plant: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-ne-orlando-coal-lawsuit-cancer-data-20191220-xlyiejfek5djjay2tpjwveeyxu-story.html
- Lawsuit says OUC polluted nearby neighborhood: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/30-000-residents-say-ouc-polluted-their-neighborhood-with-cancerous-toxins/892116969/
- No evidence of Avalon Park cancer cluster: https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2019/12/13/no-evidence-of-avalon-park-cancer-cluster-florida-department-of-health-report-finds/
- OUC coal plants linked with spike in cancer cases, lawsuit claims: https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2018/12/20/ouc-coal-plants-linked-with-spike-in-rare-cancer-cases-in-east-orange-county-lawsuit-claims
Orange County, Florida | Lake Apopka Cancer Cluster
- Apopka Mayor Misleading Residents May Lead to More Cancer Deaths: https://theapopkamole.com/f/apopka-mayor-misleading-residents-may-lead-to-more-cancer-deaths
- High Contaminant loads in Lake Apopka's riparian wetland: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304339822_High_contaminant_loads_in_Lake_Apopka%27s_riparian_wetland_disrupt_gene_networks_involved_in_reproduction_and_immune_function_in_largemouth_bass
- Cost of bringing Lake Apopka back to life: https://www.wftv.com/news/9-investigates/9-investigates-cost-of-bringing-lake-apopka-back-to-life/495058639/
- No Cancer Cluster in Apopka Neighborhood: https://www.clickorlando.com/news/2015/11/07/state-no-cancer-cluster-in-apopka-neighborhood/
- Something stinks in South Apopka: https://www.orlandoweekly.com/orlando/something-stinks-in-south-apopka/Content?oid=2260718
Miami-Dade, Florida | Childhood Cancer Clusters
- Cause for concern over childhood cancer clusters: https://www.fox4now.com/news/4-in-your-corner/cause-for-concern
- Demand answers on thyroid cancer cluster affecting South Florida children: https://floridapolitics.com/archives/10223-alan-farago-demand-answers-on-thyroid-cancer-clusters-affecting-south-florida-children
- Health Officials no cancer cluster in Miami: https://www.wlrn.org/post/health-officials-no-cancer-cluster-miami-dade#stream/0
- Mapping of Florida Childhood Cancer Clusters: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/40870723_Epidemiologic_Mapping_of_Florida_Childhood_Cancer_Clusters?fbclid=IwAR2HXREJiS4gUfR0ZTt9AnwNyyMZHWGr_oqEJS5YV-LSS5OxdSYGDGMHv1s
- Patterns of Pediatric Cancer in Florida: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/2330443X.2019.1574686
- Report finds pediatric 'cancer cluster' in SWFL: https://www.nbc-2.com/story/28884407/report-finds-pediatric-cancer-cluster-in-swfl
- The Story of Florida and Cancer Clusters: http://eyeonmiami.blogspot.com/2009/08/do-not-seek-and-ye-shall-not-find-story.html
- UWF Researcher Discovers South Florida Cancer Cluster: https://www.wuwf.org/post/uwf-researcher-discovers-south-florida-cancer-cluster#stream/0
Florida Blue-Green Algae and Disease
- 4 Florida counties part of live disease cluster: https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/report-4-florida-counties-part-of-liver-disease-cluster/444125710
- Blue-green algae linked to ALS in UM study: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/health-care/article240701886.html
- Facing Florida's public health crisis toxic blue-green algae: https://www.sun-sentinel.com/opinion/commentary/fl-op-com-blue-green-algae-simon-20190410-story.html
- Florida needs to deal with long-term health risks from harmful algal blooms: https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2020/01/28/florida-needs-to-deal-with-long-term-health-risks-from-harmful-algal-blooms-column/
- New ALS research implicated blue-green algae toxic: https://www.jacksonville.com/news/20200225/new-als-research-implicates-blue-green-algae-toxin-offers-hope-that-amino-acid-can-help
St. Lucie County, Florida | Brain Cancer Cluster
- A wife's fight to get answers: https://cbs12.com/news/local/cancer-cluster-concerns-a-wifes-fight-to-get-answers
- Attorney hired by St. Lucie County family to get more answers surrounding glioblastoma concerns: https://www.wflx.com/2019/03/06/attorney-hired-by-st-lucie-county-family-get-more-answers-surrounding-glioblastoma-concerns/
- Cluster mystery deepens as 18-year old is diagnosed: http://cw34.com/news/local/cancer-cluster-mystery-deepens-as-18-year-old-is-now-diagnosed-with-glioblastoma
- Data could reveal another brain cancer cluster in Florida: https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2018/12/19/Data-could-reveal-another-brain-cancer-cluster-in-Florida/6031545083853/
- Florida Department of Health Releases New Report: https://www.wptv.com/news/region-st-lucie-county/florida-department-of-health-releases-new-report-about-glioblastoma-cases-in-st-lucie-county
- Health Department No Cancer Cluster in St. Lucie County: https://www.newcountry1031.com/health-department-no-cancer-cluster-in-st-lucie-county/
- St Lucie cancer cases reaching stat, local scrutiny: https://www.tcpalm.com/story/opinion/columnists/anthony-westbury/2018/05/31/st-lucie-getting-outside-help-investigate-cancer-cases/655596002/
- Review shows no significant increase in rare cancer cases: https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/local/st-lucie-county/2019/02/28/cancer-cluster-florida-review-shows-no-significant-increase-glioblastoma-fort-pierce/3014210002/
St. Lucie Cancer Cluster History
- Childhood cancer mortality in relation to the St Lucie nuclear power station: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16286687
Palm Beach County, Florida | The Acreage
- Acreage Residents Seek Clads Status in Lawsuit: https://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/crime--law/acreage-residents-seek-class-status-cancer-cluster-lawsuit/yIxBi5k2fwGRxqjOVz1GHO/
- Brain Cancer Cases Shot Up in This Florida Town: https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/brain-cancer-rate-girls-town-shot-550-defense-contractor-blame/
- Cancer cluster frightens Palm Beach County Community: https://www.sun-sentinel.com/health/fl-acreage-cancer-cluster-story.html
- Cancer Cluster in Florida Worries Parents: https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125588073
- Cancer Cluster realtor to disclosure: https://activerain.com/blogsview/1501924/the-acreage--palm-beach-county-florida--cancer-cluster--realtors--to-disclosure-
- Holding a Polluter Accountable for Brain Cancer Cluster: https://www.wnyc.org/story/holding-polluter-accountable-brain-cancer-cluster-south-florida/
Polk County, Florida | Phosphate Mining
- Florida Phosphate Pollution Stirs Alarm: https://www.nytimes.com/1976/07/24/archives/florida-phosphate-pollution-stirs-alarm-alarm-stirred-in-florida.html
- Possible association between lung cancer and phosphate mining: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/15922695_A_possible_association_between_lung_cancer_and_phosphate_mining_and_processing
- Plant City Florida Cancer Cluster Assessment: http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/hazardous-waste-sites/_documents/c/coronetcancer0304.pdf
- Plant City Toxins Led to Illness, Suits Say: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2004-04-04-0404040115-story.html
- Study of Mortality ion Workers at a Phosphate Fertilizer Facility: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4913354/
Other Florida areas of concern for environmental health impacts:
- Jacksonville Florida
- Eglin Air Force Base
- Union County, Florida (highest rates of cancer)
- American Cancer Society Cancer Clusters: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/general-info/cancer-clusters.html
- Bladder Cancer Clusters in Florida: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022534709006004
- Cancer down nationwide, but 'hot spots' persist: https://www.cnn.com/2017/01/24/health/cancer-cluster-disparities-county-study/index.html
- Cancer 'hot spots' may be associated with hazardous waste sites: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170306145109.htm
- Cancer Cluster Guidelines: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/clusters/default.htm
- Center for Health, Environment & Justice Cancer Clusters: http://chej.org/wp-content/uploads/Cancer-Clusters-PUB-045.pdf
- Chemical Contaminants and Human Disease: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LFL-UGEKp65aiGeJZBO5buSuD4AtFceD/view?usp=sharing
- Clusters of Young Adult Thyroid Cancer: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2014/832573/
- Defining the Elusive Cancer Cluster: https://moffitt.org/take-charge/take-charge-story-archive/defining-the-elusive-cancer-cluster/
- Disease Clusters in Florida: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1omdIkJSr8IPH4g3tRkmL41xq2770__Fa/view?usp=sharing
- Do Cancers Clusters Around Atomic Plants: https://emagazine.com/the-nuke-next-door/
- Florida Cancer Data System: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m-dMQlNew8TYzeyp7RzEDRPWd-nbDP8e/view?usp=sharing
- Florida Department of Health Cancer Clusters: http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/hazardous-waste-sites/cancerclusterbooklet2016.pdf
- Florida Health Chart Cancer Deaths: http://www.flhealthcharts.com/charts/DataViewer/DeathViewer/DeathViewer.aspx?indNumber=0097
- Floridians Living Near Superfund Sites More likely to Get Cancer, New Study Shows: https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/study-links-florida-superfund-pollution-sites-to-cancer-9190790
- Highest cancer mortality death rates in Florida: https://wellflorida.org/other/highest-cancer-mortality-death-rates-in-florida-new-report-finds-north-central-florida-on-top/
- Mapping of Florida Childhood Cancer Clusters: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/40870723_Epidemiologic_Mapping_of_Florida_Childhood_Cancer_Clusters?fbclid=IwAR2HXREJiS4gUfR0ZTt9AnwNyyMZHWGr_oqEJS5YV-LSS5OxdSYGDGMHv1s
- MSU Statisticians Identify Florida Cancer Cluster: https://research.msu.edu/msu-statisticians-identify-florida-cancer-cluster/
- National Cancer Institute State Cancer Profiles Map: https://statecancerprofiles.cancer.gov/map/map.noimage.php
- Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research: http://easternshorechp.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/FAPTP-Cancer-clusters-What-are-we-afraid-of.pdf
- Pancreatic cancer clusters and arsenic contaminated drinking water wells in Florida: https://bmccancer.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/1471-2407-13-111
- Patterns of Pediatric Cancer in Florida: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/2330443X.2019.1574686
- The Story of Florida and Cancer Clusters: http://eyeonmiami.blogspot.com/2009/08/do-not-seek-and-ye-shall-not-find-story.html
Water Quality and Contamination Issues in Florida
- Contaminants in American alligator eggs from Lake Apopka, Lake Griffin, and Lake Okeechobee: Contaminated Lake Studies: https://www.science.gov/topicpages/c/contaminated+florida+lake.html
- Epigenetic programming alterations in alligators from environmentally contaminated lakes: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/space-shuttle-blast-offs-spewed-metals-chemicals-into-wildlife-refuge/?fbclid=IwAR2j2IMPz5vXZmZNT7M3_XUnKWJaN-Kd5Si7TLrTd8Qx5w0wT-qd9XFSDi0
- Perfluoralkyl acids in the American alligator at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge: Study of fifteen perfluoralkyl acids (PFAAs): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5548459/
- Space Shuttle Blast-Offs Spewed Metals, Chemicals into Wildlife Refuge: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/space-shuttle-blast-offs-spewed-metals-chemicals-into-wildlife-refuge/?fbclid=IwAR2j2IMPz5vXZmZNT7M3_XUnKWJaN-Kd5Si7TLrTd8Qx5w0wT-qd9XFSDi0