Any Epidemiologists Re: Radon/Lung Cancer, Fri Harbor, WA?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential link between radon gas exposure and lung cancer rates in Friday Harbor, WA. Participants explore the implications of radon presence on the island, the health impacts on local residents, and the challenges in obtaining reliable epidemiological data.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about lung cancer rates in Friday Harbor potentially being above average due to radon exposure, citing personal experiences and local reports.
  • Another participant challenges the assumptions about radon exposure, noting that radon is ubiquitous and that individual home testing is necessary to determine specific risks.
  • There is a discussion about the variability of radon levels in different homes, with one participant emphasizing that radon testing results can differ significantly between properties.
  • Some participants mention the complexity of cancer causation, highlighting that multiple factors, including genetics and environmental conditions, contribute to cancer risk.
  • Links to state cancer registries and radon testing resources are provided, suggesting that these could be useful for further investigation.
  • One participant shares their personal experience with radon testing in their home, indicating that low levels now do not guarantee future safety.
  • There is a correction regarding the interpretation of cancer incidence data, with a participant noting discrepancies in reported rates.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the relationship between radon exposure and lung cancer rates in Friday Harbor. Multiple competing views remain regarding the significance of radon testing and the interpretation of cancer data.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge limitations in the available data and the challenges in determining the causes of individual cancer cases. There is uncertainty regarding the completeness of radon testing and the evolving conditions that may affect radon release over time.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to epidemiologists, public health officials, residents of areas with known radon exposure, and individuals concerned about cancer risks associated with environmental factors.

Point Conception
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Are there any Epidemiologists here who can determine if the lung cancer rates in Friday Harbor, WA.
(San Juan island) as a result of radon gas exposure are way above average ? I have searched and contacted WA.Dept of Health and got little information. Other searches bring up the commercial side that tests and removes radon from private property. So there is definitely radon on the island. I also viewed the local paper , Island Guardian that showed a number of residents that passed away in their 50's and 60.s with only one as listed with a cause, cancer.
My poor sister mid 60's never smoked was recently diagnosed with stage IIIB lung cancer that has now spread to liver. Her husband , a geologist tested the property ( 7000 block of Roach Harbor rd) over 20 years ago and radon was not present.
I have no idea how complete the testing was or how the conditions for radon release evolve with time.
1. I suspect radon was the cause, she had a garden and maybe exposed while working.
2 I also suspect that the number of cases of lung cancer on the island are greater that made public for local reasons.
So I would appreciate it if someone has the time/inclination/skills to investigate whether lung cancer from radon in the area is in fact above average
 
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morrobay said:
My poor sister mid 60's never smoked was recently diagnosed with stage IIIB lung cancer that has now spread to liver.
I'm sorry to hear about your sister.
Are there any Epidemiologists here who can determine if the lung cancer rates in Friday Harbor, WA.
(San Juan island) as a result of radon gas exposure are way above average ?
I'm not an epidemiologist, but I can help disabuse you of some mistaken ideas about radon and provide some information that may be helpful. But please try not to let your grief negatively impact your logic too much.
I have searched and contacted WA.Dept of Health and got little information.
That's a bit surprising(may depend on what you asked), but here is a map of radon testing results by county (and the site has other useful info about radon): https://www.epa.gov/radon/find-information-about-local-radon-zones-and-state-contact-information

Note that actual radon incidence is highly granular, with one house potentially having low exposure and the house across the street very high exposure.
Other searches bring up the commercial side that tests and removes radon from private property. So there is definitely radon on the island.
That doesn't actually mean anything: google just gave you what you asked for. It doesn't know whether there is radon -- though to be precise, there is radon everywhere, so again, that doesn't actually mean anything.
I also viewed the local paper , Island Guardian that showed a number of residents that passed away in their 50's and 60.s with only one as listed with a cause, cancer.
This doesn't mean anything either, since people can choose what information to print or not print in their loved ones' obituaries.
...Her husband , a geologist tested the property ( 7000 block of Roach Harbor rd) over 20 years ago and radon was not present. I have no idea how complete the testing was or how the conditions for radon release evolve with time.
It's worth testing again. You can buy a test kit at any hardware store.
1. I suspect radon was the cause...
While possible, please note that it can be very difficult to pinpoint the cause of an unexplained cancer.
...she had a garden and maybe exposed while working.
That isn't how radon works. Radon is released from the ground and dissipates quickly if released outside. If released inside in a poorly ventilated area, concentrations build-up. So basements are the key hazard areas.
2 I also suspect that the number of cases of lung cancer on the island are greater that made public for local reasons.
Again: please don't let your grief affect your judgement. You haven't looked at any relevant public information, so you have no basis for any such judgments.

I'm really not sure what you are hoping to get out of this investigation, but to me the data point to focus on is that your sister's lung cancer incidence rate is 100% on a sample size of 1.
 
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@russ_watters gave you the grade A answer.

This might help your understanding, so you don't feel overwhelmed trying to work through this:

There are many kinds of cancer, even in lung tissue. It is not single disease. For example, longer term exposure to asbestos dust and other kinds of rock dust can cause lung cancer. And other diseases, too. Secondhand tobacco smoke is also a possible cause. Working in a place where cars were repaired could expose you to asbestos dust - from brake pad lining. People who work polishing rocks and stones for jewelry may have similar issues.

So cancer is not a disease like the common cold where you can expose everybody in the household to a disease causing virus via one small drippy child. The source of the cold infection in the whole family has a point source in time and location. It is usually really hard to get that kind of information about a patient's cancer, often because it does not exist. And whatever may have started the problem could have happened years earlier and not affected anyone else.

Genetics and environmental conditions both play a role in the cause of cancer. And the list for known environmental causes of cancer is long.

There can sometimes be geographic hot spots for cancer. There are registries for mortality and cause of death as Russ mentioned. If there were ones for locations on the island, there will be someone who knows about it. At least on the state level for sure. And here is your link to the DOH cancer registry for the state:

http://www.doh.wa.gov/DataandStatisticalReports/DiseasesandChronicConditions/CancerData

This page is not terribly helpful but the people behind tracking the data will be. There is a search engine for the registry which you might need help with:
https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/wscr/WSCR/Query.mvc/Query

Try a query by county (San Juan County) on lung and bronchus cancers.
 
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If you are concerned about radon in your home, testing is the best option to determine if radon is a problem. If you find that radon levels are high, there are things you can do to fix up your home to prevent radon exposure. For more information, you can visit the National Radon Program Services website (http://sosradon.org/) for information about testing and mitigation.

You can also contact the National Radon Hotline at:
1–800–SOS–RADON (1–800–767–7236) to reach an automated system for ordering materials and listen to informational recordings
1–800–55–RADON (1–800–557–2366) to contact an information specialist, or by sending an e-mail (radon@ksu.edu)

More information about Radon and cancer can be found at the National Cancer Institute webpage (https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/radon/radon-fact-sheet).

It's also worth noting that, while many cases of lung cancer are due to factors like smoking or radon exposure, some fraction of cancers are due to unavoidable mistakes that occur during DNA replication.
 
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I just bought a house and the county I'm in rates a 4 for radon, so I had a radon test done, the house rated a 1.4. I was told that even though the house tests low now that doesn't mean that it will always be low.
 
jim mcnamara said:
@russ_watters gave you the grade A answer.https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/wscr/WSCR/Query.mvc/Query

Try a query by county (San Juan County) on lung and bronchus cancers.

Thanks all. This query ^ shows 11 cases/year / 16000 pop *: https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/wscr//WSCR/Query.mvc/SubmitToCHATQueryService
* They then incorrectly show that being equal to 33 cases/year/100, 000 when it is actually
about 68 cases/year/100,000
 
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I'm glad to tried to get a good answer. Ask someone there for additional help. Sometimes :) governments do confusing things. Make that often instead.