Staten Island Cancer Study

It has been observed for decades that the borough of Staten Island has elevated cancer rates, especially lung cancer. Indeed, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, when governor of New York State, expressed concern about this problem.

Recent data from the NYS Department of Health have shown that this problem persists today. Many residents of Staten Island have suspected that the Fresh Kill landfill site is playing a role, while others have noted that the odors of the Meadowlands blow towards New Jersey's neighbor, and may contain potentially toxic or carcinogenic substances.

Investigators at Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health, led by Dr. Judith Jacobson, working with collaborators at Staten Island University Hospital and St. Vincent's Hospital on Staten Island, will now have an opportunity to solve this problem that has a 50% or more increased risk of lung cancer on the Island. The NYC Department of Health has recently contracted with Dr. Jacobson to undertake an epidemiologic case-control study of 300-400 lung cancer cases over the next 3 years, on whom questionnaires will be completed, clinical data collected, and biological materials stored. A similar set of data and materials will be collected on a hospital-based control group.

The earliest answers should be forthcoming in about 5 years.