A NSW Health investigation has concluded that the nine cases of brain cancer diagnosed in Helensburgh in the past 15 years is not evidence of a cancer cluster.
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The Illawarra Shoalhaven Public Health Unit initiated a detailed analysis of data for the suburb from 2001 to 2016 after residents raised concerns in March that there was a high rate of cancer cases in the vicinity of a development site.
A multi-level government investigation was instigated after residents also complained of a ‘’putrid odour’’ emanating from the 98A Parkes Street site during excavation for a new development.
However initial soil sampling by the NSW Environment Protection Authority did not uncover any contaminants, and on Friday the region’s public health director Curtis Gregory said its investigation had found no evidence of ‘’increased rates or unusual patterns’’ of cancer.
‘’We’ve looked at the data from the NSW Cancer Council Registry and found no evidence of increased incidence of newly diagnosed brain cancer within the Helensburgh area for the period 2001 to 2016,’’ he said.
‘’The rates were within what would normally be seen within a population and were similar to the rate found within the wider Australian population.’’
Mr Curtis said the investigation also looked at data over the past five years to see if there were more recent variations in the incidence of brain cancer, particularly any increases. However no trends were identified.
‘’In all, nine cases of newly diagnosed brain cancer were identified in Helensburgh from the start of 2001 until the end of 2016, five of those in the last five years.’’
However independent Wollongong councillor and Helensburgh resident Greg Petty does not believe the health investigation went far enough.
‘’The health report only looks at a numbers-based incidence by postcode, it doesn’t take into account a small geographical area with a known contamination event,’’ Cr Petty said.
‘’And it only looks at brain cancer, and doesn’t include other cancers and medical issues in the area. Meantime of the five cases of brain cancer in the last five years – four of those were in the lane adjoining the site.’’
Last week Wollongong City Council wrote to residents near the site to advise that a final report on soil would not be available until July.
