Little Rock—At a public meeting in Prairie Grove, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) reported that the exception of testicular cancer, the preliminary data suggest that most other cancers did not occur more frequently in Prairie Gove compared to the rest of Arkansas. 

"While we see this as good news for Prairie Grove's residents, the statistics aren't in yet for a few remaining cancers," Dr. Fay Boozman, director of the Department, said. "And regardless of the statistics, we will continue our investigation into the disturbing number of testicular cancer cases. Partnering with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), we will also proceed with our extensive testing for any environmental risks that might exist."

The Department initiated an investigation in Prairie Grove late last year at the request of its residents when the community reported two testicular cancer cases involving local teenagers within the preceding two years.

"We are still investigating a few other types of cancers which were of concern to the community," Marsha Eigenbrodt, M.D. and Department epidemiologist, reported. "This meeting is to provide the information that we have been able to collect since our last visit to Prairie Grove, February 21."

To determine the occurrence rate of new cancers (incidence), the Department's Center for Health Statistics first needed to determine an accurate source for the population residing within the ZIP code 72753, which had been used as the geographic area for identifying cancers, Eigenbrodt explained. The number of cancers that would be expected for Prairie Grove was then calculated using the incidence rate for Arkansas. Because cancer occurrence varies with age, the method used took into consideration the age distributions of the community.

In Prairie Grove, from 1996-1999, the occurrence of all new cancers (incidence) was less than that for Arkansas statewide, according to the research. For an Arkansas population of 6,349, 29 new cancer cases would be expected each year. There were actually 93 cases in Prairie Grove from 1996-1999 or only 23 cases per year.

For the same time period in Prairie Grove, the occurrence of new breast cancers in females (incidence) was less than for Arkansas statewide. The expected number of cases of breast cancer would be about five new breast cancers each year. There were actually 12 cases for that time period, or three new cases per year.

Leukemia incidence for Prairie Grove during the same time period was almost identical to what would be expected using statewide data, according to Catherine Hall, director of the Arkansas Central Cancer Registry. One leukemia case would be expected every two years. The Registry found two new cases between 1996-1999, the same as Arkansas statewide.

The Registry is conducting the evaluation, based on patient information collected from the Northwest Arkansas Cancer Registry, town meetings, physicians' offices, oncology clinics and hospitals.

Incidence of cancer of the testis was higher than expected for Prairie Grove during the same time period. For an Arkansas population of 3,091 males, and the age distribution found in the 72753 ZIP code area, only 0.12 cases would be expected each year (or one case about every eight years). From 1996-1999, there were three cases or 0.75 cases per year, which indicates an elevation of the occurrence of cancers of the testis within the area compared to Arkansas. Also reported were two additional cases of testicular cancer between 2000-2001.

In addition, Health Department Environmental Epidemiologist Sue Casteel distributed the environmental sampling plan detailing the air and water sampling that is taking place in the community.

The Health Department will continue its investigation in the Prairie Grove Community. Community questions and concerns regarding health issues should be directed to the Prairie Grove Investigation Team at the Department's Website. The Health Department will provide further updates as more information becomes available.

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