FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How did this study begin?

This began when we discovered that multiple children and adults living within a close range of one another all had brain tumors.
After doing some general research, we found there may be cause for concern, but we weren't sure what to do so we contacted Erin Brockovich. Suprisingly, she responded right away. We told her our story, she answered our questions, and gave us some suggestions. She also forwarded our inquiry to Weitz and Luxenberg.
After months of research, a pediatric neuro-surgeon advised that we contact the FDOH and request an epidemiology study. The rest is history.
When news of the cancer study began to spread , we decided to set up this website. Our goal was to provide a centralized place where residents could go to find and share information, news, resources, and even communicate with others.
Who runs this website?

This website was started by Jennifer Dunsford and is maintained by her sister Trisha. We developed this website to help keep residents informed about the cancer study.
Jennifer's username is "Jenn_D".
Trisha's username is "acreagecancerstudy".
In addtion, we have several moderators who help monitor the forums and respond to inquiries.
What is a cancer cluster?

According to the National Cancer Institute a cancer cluster is defined as:
The occurrence of a larger-than-expected number of cases of cancer within a group of people in a geographic area over a period of time.
For more information, Click Here.
Cancer cluster is a term used by epidemiologists, statisticians, and public health workers to define an occurrence of a greater-than-expected number of cancer cases within agroup of people in a geographic area over a period of time.
Cancer cluster suspicions usually arise when members of the general public report that their family members, friends, neighbors, or coworkers have been diagnosed with the same or related cancers. State or local health departments will investigate the possibility of a cancer cluster when a claim is filed.[3] In order to justify investigating such claims, health departments conduct a preliminary review. Data will be collected and verified regarding: the types of cancer reported, numbers of cases, geographic area of the cases, and the patients clinical history. At this point, a committee of medical professionals will examine the data and determine whether or not an investigation (often lengthy and expensive) is justified.[4]
A cluster is more likely to be"genuine" if the case consists of one type of cancer, a rare type of cancer, or a type of cancer that is not usually found in a certain age group. Between 5% to 15% of suspected cancer clusters are statistically significant.[3]
This information courtesy of Wikipedia.
What are some symptoms of a brain tumor?
Symptoms include:
- headaches
- seizures
- mental/personality changes
- nausea/vomiting
- loss of vision or blurred vision
- lack of coordination
- weakness or paralysis
- hearing problems
- decreased muscle control
- difficulty walking or talking
If you have any of these symptoms please try to see your doctor.
Please note: you can have one or two symptoms listed above and still not have a brain tumor.
For more information about brain tumor symptoms, Click Here.
What is the difference between a benign brain tumor and a malignant brain tumor?

The following answer is from the American Brain Tumor Association:
The words “benign” or “malignant” generally refer to how unusual the tumor cells look under a microscope when compared to normal brain cells. Tumors with cells that look similar to normal cells, yet aren’t quite normal, are called “benign” tumors. Tumor cells that are very different in appearance are called “malignant.” And between the “not quite normal” and the “very unusual” are the tumors referred to as low grade or mid-grade.
A "benign" brain tumor consists of very slow growing cells, usually has distinct borders, and rarely spreads. When viewed microscopically, the cells have an almost normal appearance. Surgery alone might be an effective treatment for this type of tumor. A brain tumor composed of benign cells, but located in a vital area, can be considered to be life-threatening - although the tumor and its cells would not be classified as "malignant."
A malignant brain tumor is life-threatening, invasive, and tend to grow at a more rapid pace than a benign tumor. Malignant brain tumors are sometimes called brain cancer even though they do not meet the true definition of “cancer.” (Since primary brain tumors rarely spread outside the brain and spinal cord, they do not exactly fit the general definition of "cancer" -- a tumor that has the ability to spread to other organs of the body. Since primary brain tumors tend to stay in the brain, they do not meet the true definition of cancer.) Thus, within the brain tumor community, you’ll hear the words "benign" or"malignant."
Benign brain tumors may beconsidered malignant if they are located in a part of the brain that controls vital life functions, such as heartbeat or breathing.
Some types of malignant brain tumors can spread to other locations in the brain and spine, but they rarely spread to other parts of the body. They lack distinct borders due to their tendency to send "roots" into nearby normal tissue. They can also shed cells that travel to distant parts of the brain and spine by way of the cerebrospinal fluid. Some malignant tumors, however, do remain localized to a region of the brain or spinal cord.
For more information, Click Here.
Are Glioblastoma Multiform (GBM) brain tumors different or the same as Astrocytoma brain tumors?

The following response is from the American Brain Tumor Association:
Any tumor that arises from the glial, or supportive, tissue of the brain is called a "glioma." One type of glioma is the astrocytoma.
Astrocytomas are named after astrocytes, the star-shaped cells from which they grow.
Astrocytomas are graded to describe their degree of abnormality. The most common grading system uses a scale of I to IV. On that scale, grade I tumors tend to be benign and grade IV tumors are the most malignant. Or, tumors may be grouped by their rate of growth: low-grade (slow growth), mid-grade (moderate growth), and high-grade (rapid growth). Astrocytomas often contain a mix of cell grades.
The word "anaplastic" means malignant. An anaplastic astrocytoma is a grade III, or mid-grade, tumor.
Ananaplastic astrocytoma that contains dead tumor cells (necrosis) is called a glioblastoma multiforme. That is a grade IV tumor.
“Glioblastoma,” “glioblastoma multiforme,” “grade IV astrocytoma,” and “GBM” are all names for the same tumor.
About 50% of the gliomas are glioblastomas. They are most common in adults ages 45-55, and affect more men than women. Anaplastic astrocytomas occur more often in younger adults. About 9% of childhood brain tumors are glioblastomas.
Scientists are conducting environmental, occupational, familial and genetic research to identify common links among patients.
For more information, Click Here.
Do you have legal counsel?

We cannot speak for everyone living in the Acreage, however we are working with two law firms: Weitz & Luxenberg and Searcy, Denny, Scarola, Barnhart & Shipley.
We were referred to Weitz & Luxenberg by Erin Brockovich and we have found them to be very capable, approachable, and compassionate.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact either firm for assistance:
Weitz & Luxenberg
Phone: 212-558-5500 or 1-800-476-6070
Email: Jessica Issacharoff at jissacharoff@weitzlux.com or Lem Srolovic at lsrolovic@weitzlux.com
Searcy, Denny, Scarola, Barnhart & Shipley
Phone: 561-686-4300
Do you know of any labs that do soil testing?

The labs listed below are listed on the Palm Beach County Health Department website. We do not endorse, nor have we personally used the services of any the below listed labs.
NELAP Certified Labs that Perform Soil Testing and Sampling
ORGANIZATION WEBSITE PHONE
Advanced Environmental Laboratories Inc.
6601 Southpoint Parkway
Jacksonville, FL 32216
www.aellab.com
(904) 363-9350
Advanced Environmental Laboratories Inc.- Gainesville
6815 SW Archer Road
Gainesville, FL 32608
www.aellab.com
(352) 377-2349
Advanced Environmental Laboratories Inc. - Orlando 528 South Northlake Blvd. Suite 1016
Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
www.aellab.com
(407) 937-1594
Advanced Environmental Laboratories Inc.
Tampa 9610 Princess Palm Avenue
Tampa, FL 33619
www.aellab.com
(813) 630-9616
Benchmark EA South 1001
Corporate Avenue Suite 102
North Port, FL
34289
www.benchmarkea.com
(941) 625-3137
Benchmark EnviroAnalytical Inc.
1711 12th Street East
Palmetto, FL 34221
www.benchmarkea.com
(941) 723-9986
Florida Testing Services LLC
dba Xenco Laboratories
Boca Raton 3231 N.W. 7th Avenue
Boca Raton, FL 33431
www.xenco.com
(561) 447-7373
Florida Testing Services LLC
dba Xenco Laboratories
Miami 3231 NW 7th Avenue
Boca Raton, FL 33431
www.xenco.com
(561) 447-7373
Florida Testing Services LLC
dba Xenco Laboratories
Miramar 3231 NW 7th Avenue
Boca Raton, FL 33431
www.xenco.com
(561) 447-7373
Flowers Chemical Laboratories
481 Newburyport Avenue
Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
www.flowerslabs.com
(407) 339-5984
Flowers Chemical Laboratories - North
812 S.W. Harvey Greene Drive
Madison, FL 32341
www.flowerslabs.com
(850) 973-6878
Flowers Chemical Laboratories - South
571 NW Mercantile Place
Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
www.flowerslabs.com
(772) 343-8006

KNL Laboratory Services *
2742 North Florida Avenue
Tampa, FL 33602
www.knllaboratory.com
(813) 229-2879
Pace Analytical Services-Florida
8 East Tower Circle
Ormond Beach, FL 32174
www.pacelabs.com
(386) 672-5668
Sanders Laboratories Inc. (South)
10090 Bavaria Road
Ft. Myers, FL 33913
www.sanderslabs.net
(239) 590-0337
Sanders Laboratories Inc. - Nokomis
1050 Endeavor Ct.
Nokomis, FL 34275
www.sanderslabs.net
(941) 488-8103
Southern Analytical Laboratories Inc. *
110 Bayview Blvd
Oldsmar, FL 34677
www.southernanalyticallabs.com
(813) 855-1844
XENCO Laboratory -
Mobile Lab #2
5757 N.W. 158 Street
Miami Lakes, FL 33014
www.xenco.com
(813) 620-2000
Florida Radiochemistry Services Inc*
5456 Hoffner Rd. Suite 201
Orlando, FL 32812
(407) 382-7733
*Also Certified for testing for Radiological Material (Radionuclides)