In addition to publishing the study, The Lancet prepared a podcast featuring an interview with Dr. Prezant. He said mong the priorities of this study was to ensure that it included every firefighter who was employed at the NYFD that was at 9/11, and also everyone who was employed as a firefighter at the NYFD. They examined data sets including what types of cancers the firefighters had, and where it was reported, and made sure that there were no duplications in the records to make sure no cancer was counted twice. They compared results among exposed firefighters, non-exposed firefighters and a similar general population, as well as the time period during which the screening was done to make sure screening methods were similar.

The study indicates an increased risk for the development of all cancers, combined, in firefighters exposed to the toxic dust, smoke and fumes at the Ground Zero site on 9/11, Dr. Prezant said. He said data shows a 19 percent increase for WTC-exposed firefighters, compared to non-exposed firefighters.

Listen to the podcast.

SOURCE: myMeso › Listen to an interview with lead author of NYFD cancer study

The legislation was signed into law in January, and and established a $2.8 billion federal fund that is supposed to provide health care and compensation for people who were sickened following the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center as a result of their exposure to dust and debris at and around the site. The legislation may cover first responders, as well as workers who helped clear the site in the days, weeks and months following the terrorist attack.

However, cancer was excluded as a covered condition. The exclusion was announced in July, following a review by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which said there was “too little scientific evidence linking cancer to time spent amid the dust and wreckage.”

This, despite research that indicated from the beginning that the dust resulting from the burning and collapse of the World Trade Center buildings contained such known carcinogens as dioxins and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, as well as asbestos, which is linked to the development of mesothelioma.

With the release of new data gathered with the added perspective of time, there is a call for further review of the policies governing the compensation fund, to expand coverage for cancer. Many believe incidences of cancer linked to WTC site exposure will only increase as more time passes. Researchers note that “many cancers, including mesothelioma and other malignancies related to the known toxins found at Ground Zero, can take decades to develop,” according to a Huffington Post report.

Fred Blosser, a public affairs officer with NIOSH, told the Huffington Post the agency will review the new studies, and plans to conduct a second periodic review in early to mid-2012.

George Wong, a police officer who worked at the World Trade Center site during 9/11,  died recently after a 2-year battle with gastric cancer. On his death certificate, doctors  listed the cause of death as “9/11 toxins,” but the New York health department still maintains there is no conclusive link between illnesses and 9/11 toxins. His cause of death was questioned by the medical examiner, and the City took the officer’s body for further examination following his wake. Watch the video.

SOURCE: myMeso › People exposed to toxins at WTC site during 9/11 call for cancer coverage

According to The Lancet, “Respiratory illnesses and post-traumatic stress disorder are known to be increased in those who survived the World Trade Center disaster, but data reported in this issue show that 9 years after the attacks, rescue and recovery workers continue to have substantial physical and mental health problems.”

While it is too early yet to find evidence of increased mortality among these workers, the research indicates that “An excess of cancer cases is reported in firefighters who survived the disaster..” according to The Lancet.

The study, titled “Early assessment of cancer outcomes in New York City firefighters after the 9/11 attacks: an observational cohort study” was published in Volume 378, Issue 9794 of The Lancet. Researchers studied cancer incidence and its potential association to exposure of New York City firefighters to known and suspected carcinogens at Ground Zero. The study examined the effect of these possible carcinogens on FDNY first responders in the first 7 years after 9/11/01.

According to the report, the study included 9,853 men who were employed as firefighters on Jan. 1, 1996. Researchers determined that “on and after 9/11, person-time for 8,927 firefighters was classified as WTC-exposed; all person-time before 9/11, and person-time after 9/11 for 926 non-WTC-exposed firefighters, was classifed as non-WTC exposed.” Explaining their methods, researchers state in the report, “We estimated the ratio of incidence rates in WTC-exposed firefighters to non-exposed firefighters, adjusted for age, race and ethnic origin, and secular trends, with the US National Cancer Institute Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) reference population.”

In its Findings summary, the report concluded that cancer incidence in firefighters exposed to toxins at the World Trade Center was about 1 in 10, while cancer incidence in the general male population in the U.S. was about 1 in 19. This incidence among the non-WTC-exposed firefighters also was about 1 in 19. This leads researchers to believe there is a “modest excess of cancer cases in the WTC-exposed” group.

However, researchers also caution that there has been a relatively short time period since the events of 9/11 and the exposures, while many cancers, such as mesothelioma, may have long developmental periods. They recommend continued follow-up including cancer screenings and prevention strategies.

Read the full FDNY post-9/11 cancer assessment.

The Lancet has a full report on the events of 9/11 in this special section.

SOURCE: myMeso › Studies continue to show increased cancer risk for 9/11 first responders

The event is planned to be held at Riverwalk Amphitheater in Downtown Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday, April 4, from 2 p.m.-8 p.m. and will feature all the crawfish and sides you can eat, live music, and activities for children. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door, with proceeds benefitting the American Cancer Society. (Advance tickets can be purchased through etix.xom)

myMeso‘s sponsor, Beasley Allen Law Firm, is also a sponsor for this event, along with Alfa, Alfa Dental, Morgan Keegan, Jackson Thornton, Dr. Kynard Adams, Price Trailer Sales, Southeast IV, ServisFirst Bank, Harmon Dennis & Bradshaw, Cumulus Broadcastin, Seay Seay & Litchfield, AKD Printing, and AAF-Montgomery.

It is particularly fitting for myMeso to present information about mesothelioma and asbestos awareness during this event, as April 1-7 has been declared Asbestos Awareness Week both in the City of Montgomery and nationally, by U.S. Senate Resolution.

In case of inclement weather, the event will be held at the historic Train Shed, which is located adjacent to the Riverfront and Riverwalk. Come see us, rain or shine!

SOURCE: myMeso › Visit myMeso at American Cancer Society event this weekend