West of Saintes: Pediatric Cancer Risk Increase
- SAINTES, France (AP) — An unusual cluster of pediatric cancer cases in the southwest region of Saintes has triggered a statistical study, raising concerns among local officials and...
- The study, notable for its scope and commissioned by the League Against Charente-Maritime Cancer in conjunction with the General Cancer Register of Poitou-Charentes, revealed that 54 cases of...
- The risk is heterogeneous, with some municipalities showing no observed cases, others with a slight increase, and a few with a significant number of cases.
Elevated Pediatric cancer Rates Prompt Investigation in Saintes, France
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SAINTES, France (AP) — An unusual cluster of pediatric cancer cases in the southwest region of Saintes has triggered a statistical study, raising concerns among local officials and health experts. Dr. Thomas Systhenko, a hematologist at CHU de Poitiers and director of the General Cancer Register of Poitou-Charentes, confirmed the increased risk. “Yes,” Systhenko stated,”ther is an excess risk observed,approximately a 90% increase in pediatric cancer in this area. This significant increase is likely not random.” The findings were published in a statistical study on March 20, 2025.
“Go and Get the Factors”: Study Aims to Uncover Causes
The study, notable for its scope and commissioned by the League Against Charente-Maritime Cancer in conjunction with the General Cancer Register of Poitou-Charentes, revealed that 54 cases of cancer in children and young adults were observed between 2008 and 2022, compared to an expected 29.6 cases. Researchers used a spatial scan method to identify geographic clusters of cancer.
The risk is heterogeneous, with some municipalities showing no observed cases, others with a slight increase, and a few with a significant number of cases.
The report specifies the affected area as being “located between sandblasted areas to the northwest, Saint-georges-des-Coteaux to the northeast, Saint-simon-de-Pellouaille to the southeast, and Cozes to the southwest.” However, the report also notes that “within this aggregate of municipalities, the risk is heterogeneous, with some municipalities showing no observed cases, others with a slight increase, and a few with a significant number of cases.”
While a “tempor-spatial scanning” analysis, aggregating cancer cases over five-year periods, did not reveal any statistically significant clusters, dr.Systhenko emphasized that the study “has the advantage of delimiting a sector on which to work and seek the factors.”
The statistical analysis also indicated that the charente-Maritime department, as a whole, experiences deprivation compared to the Charente and Vienne regions.Though, specific areas and municipalities, such as Saint-Vivien and Saint-Rogatian in the agglo de La Rochelle, exhibit especially concerning rates.
“oh, you know, here we have the vines, so…”
These findings have sparked concern in the agricultural and wine-producing region. Jean-Marie Piot, president of the League Against the Cancer of Charente-Maritime, acknowledged the “concern.” In Saint-Vivien, a commune in Aunis identified as having an “excess risk,” the mayor convened an informational meeting on April 10, which was attended by 150 residents.
In the Saintongeaise countryside, near Gémozac, the exploratory study has not resonated with all residents.Some express indifference or skepticism. In the towns of Saintonge, resignation mixes with irony. One resident remarked, “Pediatric cancers? Here there are only old people.” Another stated, “Oh, you know, here we have the vines, then. It wouldn’t be surprising…”
Mayors Report Lack of Facts
Frédéric Rouan, the mayor of Saint-Georges-des-Coteaux, learned about the report through an assistant. He stated that while he reviewed the statistical data, he “was not informed by the Regional Health agency,” expressing his frustration. His attempts to contact othre mayors yielded limited response. “Only one town replied. She is in the same situation as me; we have no information,” Rouan said.
Jean-Marie Piot, president of the League Against Cancer, clarified that it is not the League’s responsibility to distribute the study to each mayor. He suggested that the Regional Health Agency should relay the information or that mayors should contact the ARS (Regional Health Agency). The departmental league against cancer is urging policymakers to address the issue.
Fabrice Barusseau, a socialist deputy for the district of Saintes-Saint-Jean-d’Angély, urged caution, stating, “But the duty of precaution should quickly impose itself on everyone with a protection of our drinking water catchments which should not suffer from any tolerance concerning the risk of pollution.” Regional councilor Stéphane trifiletti also called for a scientific extension of the statistical study, invoking the “precautionary principle.”
Considering the study, Barusseau proposed that the prefect expand the national commission of public debate commissioned on Aunis “to the whole of Charente-Maritime.”
Aunis: CNDP report Submission
In November 2024, Brice Blondel, the prefect of Charente-Maritime, engaged the National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP) after the Association Avenir Santé Environnement reported the presence of chemical pollutants in samples and hair and urinary analyses of 72 children from the Plaine d’Aunis. The CNDP’s conclusions are expected to be released monday,april 28.
Elevated Pediatric Cancer Rates Prompt Examination in Saintes, France: your Questions Answered
This article provides information about a recently published study concerning elevated pediatric cancer rates in the Saintes region of France. We’ll address key questions about the study, its findings, and the ongoing investigations.
What’s Happening in Saintes, France?
Q: What’s the core issue being investigated in Saintes, france?
A: An unusual cluster of pediatric cancer cases has been observed in the southwest region of Saintes, France. This has prompted a statistical study to investigate the increased risk.
Q: Who confirmed the increased cancer risk?
A: Dr. Thomas Systhenko,a hematologist at CHU de Poitiers and the director of the General Cancer register of Poitou-Charentes,confirmed the increased risk.
Q: How important is the increase in pediatric cancer cases?
A: The study revealed approximately a 90% increase in pediatric cancer cases in the affected area.
Understanding the Study
Q: What was the purpose of the study, and who conducted it?
A: The study aimed to uncover the potential causes behind the elevated cancer rates. It was commissioned by the League Against Charente-Maritime Cancer in conjunction with the General Cancer Register of Poitou-Charentes.
Q: What specific timeframe did the study cover?
A: The study analyzed cancer cases observed between 2008 and 2022.
Q: How many cases were observed versus expected?
A: The study documented 54 cases of cancer in children and young adults, compared to an expected 29.6 cases during the study period.
Q: What method did researchers use to pinpoint the affected areas?
A: researchers used a spatial scan method to identify geographic clusters of cancer cases.
Q: Where exactly is this increased risk localized?
A: The affected municipalities are “located between sandblasted areas to the northwest, Saint-georges-des-Coteaux to the northeast, Saint-simon-de-Pellouaille to the southeast, and Cozes to the southwest.” However, the risk varies within this area.
Q: Did the study find statistically significant clusters when looking at five-year periods?
A: No, a “tempor-spatial scanning” analysis, aggregating cancer cases over five-year periods, did not reveal any statistically significant clusters.
Concerns and Reactions
Q: How have local officials responded to these findings?
A: Some local officials have expressed concern and frustration. For example, the mayor of Saint-Georges-des-Coteaux stated that he was not informed by the Regional Health Agency.
Q: What action was taken in Saint-Vivien, a commune identified with excess risk?
A: In Saint-Vivien, the mayor convened an informational meeting on April 10 which was attended by 150 residents.
Q: have all residents expressed concern?
A: No. Some residents near Gémozac have expressed indifference or skepticism, with some even making statements of resignation or irony.
Q: Who is responsible for distributing the study findings to the mayors?
A: Jean-Marie Piot,president of the League Against Cancer,clarified that the League isn’t responsible for distributing the study. He suggested the Regional Health Agency should relay the information, or that mayors contact the regional Health Agency (ARS).
Next Steps and Further Investigation
Q: What is the role of authorities in addressing these findings?
A: Fabrice Barusseau, a socialist deputy, urged for a duty of precaution, especially concerning the protection of drinking water catchments. Regional councilor Stéphane Trifiletti called for a scientific extension of the statistical study and invoked the “precautionary principle.”
Q: what’s happening in Aunis?
A: In November 2024, the prefect of Charente-Maritime engaged the National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP) after a report about chemical pollutants in the surroundings. The CNDP’s conclusions are expected to be released.
Q: What actions have been proposed?
A: Fabrice Barusseau proposed that the prefect expand the national commission of public debate commissioned on Aunis “to the whole of Charente-Maritime.”
Key Takeaways
Here is a summary of the key findings:
| Finding | Details |
| ————————- | ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————– |
| Elevated Cancer Rates | Approximately a 90% increase in pediatric cancer cases was observed in the Saintes region. |
| Study Timeframe | The study covered the period between 2008 and 2022 |
| Affected Area | The study focused on area between sandblasted areas to the Nothwest, Saint-Georges-des-Coteaux to the Northeast, Saint-Simon-de-Pellouaille the Southeast, and cozes of the Southwest, though the risk isn’t uniform throughout all municipalities. |
| Lack of Information | Some mayors reported not having been informed about the study’s findings |
| Ongoing Investigations | The investigation is ongoing, with some officials calling for further scientific studies and measures to protect resources. |