New Caledonia Tops in Thyroid Cancer

New Zealnd Herald ^ | 8 July 2005 | Staff

[Our_Man_In_Gough_Island]

A medical study says the incidence of thyroid cancer in New Caledonia is the highest in the world.

The study published in the Medical Bulletin of New Caledonia and French Polynesia says the rate is 17 times higher than the global average for women, and eight times higher for men.

The study has failed to establish a reason why New Caledonia’s rates are so high, while detailing that Kanaks are three times more likely to get thyroid cancer than people of European descent.

A link has been established between such cancers and exposure to radiation but looking at figures from Belarus show that women living in relative proximity to the Chernobyl nuclear accident site have lower cancer rates.

The AFP news agency says scientists have suggested New Caledonia could be at the crossing point of nuclear fallout from weapons tests in the Marshall Islands, Australia and French Polynesia.

[Our_Man_In_Gough_Island]

Considering there is much mining on the island, there could also be a degree of sub-surface background radiation.

[ex-Texan]

The Frogs were blowing up nukes in tests there in the 1980's. Perhaps the testing contributed to very high cancer rate. The Caledonians ought to sue the green paint right off the Froggies backs. Would serve them right.

[demlosers]

Take the Froggies to the International (Chirac) World Court.

[Domestic Church]

Radon in the water?

[mmercier]

>> The AFP news agency says scientists have suggested New Caledonia could be at the crossing point of nuclear fallout from weapons tests in the Marshall Islands, Australia and French Polynesia.

That would my guess, and I am not a scientist.

My neighbor witnessed five nuclear detonations in the southwest in the 50's while in the service. He gets annual cancer screenings for free, from the VA.

This is nothing that we did not know about. I think there are also cancer clusters in the Southwest, found in populations that live near large (natural) uranium deposits.

So it goes. This does not mean that radiation is not our friend. Like fire, radiation is "a dangerous servant and a fearful master".