WASHINGTON – U.S. Congresswoman Candice Miller (MI-10) today announced that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has agreed to her request for the CDC to assist the St. Clair County Health Department and the Michigan Department of Community Health in the investigation of possible causes of the Wilms’ Tumor identified in St. Clair County.
“I am appreciative of CDC’s quick positive response to my request that they provide assistance in the local investigation into the cause of the Wilms’ Tumor cases and I believe their immediate assistance will greatly expedite the investigation,” Miller said. “We all want answers quickly so we can understand if there are any environmental threats or if this is just a coincidence.”
Last week, Miller wrote to the CDC to request their assistance with the investigation into the known Wilms’ Tumor cases in St Clair and Macomb counties:
May 25, 2011
Christopher J. Portier, Ph.D.
Director, National Center for Environmental Health and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Center for Disease Control
1600 Clifton Road, N.E.
Mail Stop-F61
Atlanta, GA 30333
Director Portier,
I am requesting the that the Center for Disease Control aid the St. Clair County Health Department and the Michigan Department of Community Health in identifying the possible environmental causes of Wilms’ Tumor identified in the area. To date, we have seven cases in St Clair County since 2007 and one case in neighboring Macomb County, both in my congressional district. These numbers are higher than one would expect for such a rare cancer that typically has an incidence of one every three to five years locally and 500 per year nationally. The local capacity to investigate such events is insufficient and your assistance to this concerned community is critical.
Lastly, I want to make sure that you are aware that the St. Clair County Health Department has scheduled a public forum on Thursday, June 2, 2011 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at the Washington Life Center at 403 N. Mary Street, Marine City, MI. They will be informing the public on the current situation and gather information for the investigation into this health occurrence.
I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Candice S. Miller
Member of Congress
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