Florida Child Injury Law Blog

Archive for February, 2010

Case reports from the cancer study clearly reinforce the findings. 

 Lead researcher, Susie Pearce of London’s University College Hospital, stated that in one instance, a young woman “thought she was going mad” after three months of headaches and 12 visits to doctors.  Upon breaking down and crying at her doctor’s office, she was referred to a specialist.  She subsequently was found to be suffering from neuroblastoma, a cancer of the nerve tissue.

 In a particularly alarming case, a 22-year-old woman had a variety of symptoms.  They included frequent diarrhea, abdominal pain and rectal bleeding.  These continued for nine or ten years before finally she was diagnosed with colon cancer.  The cancer had spread to her liver. The woman has since died.

 Receiving prompt medical care is of utmost importance when we suspect that a loved one such as a teen, young child or even ourselves, are suffering from an ailment or symptom.  If you think your symptoms are being overlooked, see another physician or speak to a specialist.

A health news report published interesting information on the subject of cancer being overlooked among teens.  In a unique study, British researchers are concluding that teen and young adult cancer patients often feel frustrated that their symptoms are not taken seriously. 

 Interviews with 24 cancer patients between the ages of 16 and 24 revealed one common thread: a perception existed among these patients that they were not being listened to and that cancer was being ruled out as the result of their age.     

 Dr. Gregory H. Reaman, a pediatric cancer specialist at George Washington School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., agreed with the study noting the situation is similar in the U.S. “And it’s true for children, not just teens and young adults,” he says.

“The symptoms are pretty nonspecific — lethargy, pain, fever,  for example. So they are generally attributed to a benign condition, other than cancer, given the rarity of cancer in this age group,” Reaman says. Reaman also stressed however, that if symptoms persist they should be checked out.

Young people aged 15 to 24 account for less than 2% of all cancer cases worldwide.

The news of a “cancer cluster” in The Acreage, a community near Palm Beach, Florida this week has been very disturbing.  The most distressing aspect was revealed Wednesday when state health officials announced that they would mount a campaign to raise awareness about childhood brain cancer rather than search for the environmental cause of the cancer cluster. 

Dr. Alina Alonso, director of the Palm Beach County Health Department said the state’s investigation hasn’t uncovered the reason behind the Palm Beach County community’s elevated levels of childhood brain cancer and brain tumors. Alsonso gave no hope that even after investigators wrap up the 2^nd phase of their work next month that an answer will be found. 

Senator Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres, an attorney general candidate countered with his own comments saying, “It’s unreasonable to simply say there is no known cause, when many factors could have contributed to environmental contamination in The Acreage.”  The concerns lie in large groves and farms, and most notably in the nearby Pratt & Whitney plant, which has spilled chemicals on its property over the years.  The Health Department director pointed out to reporters that she has “nothing saying these cancers are a result of Pratt & Whitney.”

Results released Monday confirmed suspicions and fears.  Higher rates of brain tumors and cancer are evident in the 32,000-39,000 residents of this rural Palm Beach community.  The data reveals “significantly elevated” pediatric brain and central nervous system cancers, particularly for girls, in those up to 19 years old.

What’s next?   That part is unknown as this promises to be an incredibly frustrating and frightening series of events for the residents at The Acreage.  For the latest information visitors can find out more at acreageforum.org. 

What brings on hearing problems in children? There are two basic kinds, congenital and acquired. Congenital means that the problem existed at birth. Acquired hearing loss appears after birth. Its onset can come at any time as a result of a disease, a condition, or an injury. The American Speech-Language Hearing Association provides a list of some examples of conditions in which children can acquire hearing loss.

 Ear infections (otitis media)
 Ototoxic (damaging to the auditory system) drugs
 Meningitis
 Measles
 Encephalitis
 Chicken pox
 Influenza
 Mumps
 Head injury
 Noise exposure

Physicians who suspect a child is suffering from a hearing loss need to act fast and order an audiologic testing to determine the nature and extent of the loss. Early treatment is essential so the disorder does not become irreversible.

Children learn speech and language from listening to other people talk. The first few years of life are especially critical for this development. If a hearing loss exists and goes unrecognized, a child does not get the full benefit of language learning experiences.

The American Speech- Language Hearing Association

http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/disorders/causes.htm

With the big game coming up, safety officials are warning families to be safe and keep kids away from a potential TV that could cause injury if overturned. This also includes TV stands that could be a hazard as well, if pulled or climbed upon.

Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News

As reported by the New York’s Lower Hudson website, “Injury rates have been increasing year after year. It’s a serious problem,” said Don Mays, senior director of product safety and technical policy for Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports. “The good news is that it’s very preventable.”

Just a reminder to keep children safe while watching the Super Bowl game this weekend and also throughout the year!