Who in the county has not been touched by cancer in some way? Probably not many. Does Lincoln County have a higher cancer rate than normal? Is there something in our environment causing this? K-State Research and Extension thinks so.
K-State’s Johnson Cancer Research Center along with KSU faculty want to study why some central Kansas counties have significantly higher cancer incidence than others.
They are conducting Town Hall Meetings in Russell, Lincoln and Ellsworth counties to gather data to inform the population about potential cancer risks, minimizing cancer incidence and improving life quality.
The meetings will be held Monday, February 26 at 12 p.m. at the Russell Regional Hospital classroom, 200 S. Main St. (enter through lobby door), Monday, February 26 at 6 p.m. in Lincoln at the Finch Theatre, 122 E. Lincoln Ave., and in Ellsworth Tuesday February 27 at the Ellsworth County Medical Center Admin. Building at 1706 Aylward Ave. A light meal will be served at each location.
Did you know that Russell County has the 4th highest cancer mortality rate and colorectal cancer rate in the state? And did you also know Lincoln County has the highest prostate cancer rate and the 3rd highest lung and bronchus cancer rate in the state? Even more alarming is that common explanations of these cancers such as limited colon cancer screening and high alcohol and tobacco use do not seem to be the culprits in this case; hence, a closer investigation into potential causes of cancer in these three counties is essential.
K-State Research and Development believes that groundwater contamination and high radon levels might be at the center of the problem. Their team will investigate to what extent these factors contribute to the high cancer incidence in Russell and Lincoln counties. Ellsworth County will serve as a control because, despite its proximity to the other two counties, it does not have a high cancer incidence.
The team will need to collect water samples from domestic wells and measure the radon concentrations in residences in the three counties. They will be asking for access to the domestic wells and placing radon test kits.
The many projects this study will create will be developed by different faculty members at K-State, all tackling cancer-related issues in the region. The Department of Geology, Geospatial Sciences, and the Department of Art will coordinate these projects.
Questions and concerns may be directed to the Johnson Cancer Research Center (JCRC), JCRC Director Dr. Shery Fleming, at sdflemin@ ksu.edu.
