2009.08.03 – CANCER CLUSTER TESTING BEGINS
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BRCTV-13 News
CANCER CLUSTER TESTING BEGINS
August 3, 2009
Federal health officials delve deeper into a tri-county cancer mystery. The CDC is trying to figure out what’s making so many people in Carbon, Schuylkill, and Luzerne Counties sick with a rare blood cancer. Federal officials confirmed there is a polycythemia vera cancer cluster in the area. They’re hoping a new community health study will bring them closer to finding out why. Toxicologists were in Tamaqua, Hazleton, and Frackville today doing blood tests to check for the JAK2 genetic marker. People who have the JAK2 marker are more likely to develop PV. 350 time slots at the JAK2 testing locations are all booked up for the next 2 weeks. Results should be released in 4-6 weeks.