Health experts dispute cancer epidemic claims in Moss Point

Add Us On GoogleAdd as a preferred source on Google

MOSS POINT, MS (WLOX) - Health experts in Jackson County are disputing claims that there is a cancer epidemic in Moss Point.

Sunday, the president of the civil rights group Operation Help told WLOX News cancer causing toxins are floating in and around the city, making people sick. So, we checked with Singing River Health System Regional Cancer Center and learned state facts don't support that claim.

Chris Holland is Vice President of the Singing River Health System Regional Cancer Center. He's also a Moss Point resident. So, it really disturbed him to hear claims that an abnormal number of his neighbors were dying from cancer.

Those cancer claims surfaced when Wendol Lee and Operation Help began an investigation more than a month ago. Lee claimed a report from Subra Environmental Company proved there were cancer causing chemicals in Moss Point's water and soil.

Holland said that's simply not true.

"Majority of the cancer cases that we see are from genetic factors and lifestyle factors. One report can't sum up why people have cancer," Holland said.

According to the Mississippi Health Department's 2010 data numbers, the cancer death rate in Jackson County as a whole increased since Katrina to 1,557. But the numbers are still much lower than Harrison County; the total death rate as of 2010 was 2,271. Hancock County's cancer death rate was 550, which is the lowest number out of the three coastal counties.

"The data we have at the regional cancer center, and the national database that we report to, we do not show a higher incident of cancer in Jackson County, nor the city of Moss Point," Holland said.

Some of the residents in the community said seeing the facts on paper helped calm their fears. But there are still others who believe there are cancer causing toxins in Moss Point.

"I believe in Mr. Lee's report there are chemical in the ground somewhere because I got prostate cancer," Moss Point resident Patrick Sullivan said.

These residents said they do agree on one thing: This cancer dispute will not go away anytime soon.

WLOX News also contacted Operation Help President Wendol Lee about the state facts. Lee said despite what health experts are saying, he's standing by his claims.