Statement on the WTC Health Registry Study on Cancer
911 Health Watch Statement on the release today of the WTC Health Registry Study on Cancer that is being published in the Journal of the American Medical Association:
Today’s release of the WTC Health Registry article on Cancer being published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, confirms last year’s study published by the NYC Fire Department. It shows that there is evidence that the responder community that was exposed to toxins at Ground Zero has a statistically significant greater incidence of certain cancers, as of 2008.
Today’s study is significant in that it confirms the finding of increase of certain cancers not only among firefighters but all police, sanitation, construction workers among the rescue and recovery community.
It should be pointed out that the information contained in today’s study is only as of 2008, indicating the need for further investigation is clearly warranted.
Given that it is early to do definitive research study of the cancer risks in this population, we support Dr. Howard’s decision to base cancer coverage on the WTC responders’ and survivors’ elevated exposures to known carcinogens from Ground Zero.