Posted by robin on May 04, 1996 at 17:52:52:
Hi, I'm a Bayville resident who has been following the cancer cluster info carefully because I feel that while
it is definately a documented problem in Toms River it affects all Ocean Cty residents. I really hope that some
cause can be identified but the pessimist in me thinks that what the politicians are doing is placating residents
by doing all sorts of tests that will undoubtedly yeild results that will not give a definitive reason for the
increase in these instances of cancer. Of course the politicians will still be able to say "We Did all we could "
come November. As an RN I have seen many tragic cases of cancer in the area my heart goes out to every parent that
has had a child diagnosed with this disease. My advice to those who are anxiously awaiting answers, results from tests
and direction from our government. DON'T WAIT! Do what you can to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Since I have moved to Ocean
cty(less than 1 yr.)I am alarmed at the number of adults and children who are smoking. Quitting now not only improves
your health(and your families) but it teaches a lesson to our children that smoking is NOT ok. The number 1 way to prevent
cancer in your household is to stop smoking, eat healthy and start exercising.Benefits of drinking bottled water don't amount to a hill
of beans if you (and your children) are inhaling carcinogens into your lungs. I hope this isn't taken the wrong way,
I'm not blaming smokers for the cancer cluster, but I am using it as an opportunity to show how thousands of needless
lung cancer,COPD,heart disease deaths can be prevented each year if you take the initiative to quit now.