Cancer concerns spark meetings today in Russell and Lincon counties

Laura McMillan
·2 min read
Cancer concerns spark meetings today in Russell and Lincon counties

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Researchers from Kansas State University are holding meetings this week in three Kansas counties to go over some water and air tests starting soon.

K-State’s Johnson Cancer Research Center is funding the research to discover why Russell and Lincoln counties have such high cancer rates. The research will include Ellsworth County because it is right next to Russell and Lincoln counties but does not have as much cancer as the other two.

Faculty and student researchers want to check domestic wells for groundwater contamination. They also want to place radon test kits in the basements of homes.

County residents are encouraged to attend the meetings starting today, Monday, in Russell and Lincoln and tomorrow, Tuesday, in Ellsworth.

  • Monday, Feb. 26 at noon: Russell Regional Hospital classroom, 200 S. Main. Enter through the lobby door.

  • Monday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m.: Finch Theatre, 122 E. Lincoln Avenue, Lincoln.

  • Tuesday, Feb. 27 at noon: Ellsworth County Medical Center Admin Building, 1706 Aylward Avenue.

A light meal will be served at each location.

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According to K-State, Russell County currently has the fourth highest cancer mortality rate and colorectal cancer rate per 100,000 population, while Lincoln County has the highest prostate cancer rate and the third highest lung and bronchus cancer rate in the state.

“As researchers, we’re trying to understand cancer,” Sherry Fleming, Johnson Cancer Research Center director, said in a news release. “We’re expanding to areas where research is needed and appropriate, which makes our research more real to these communities.”

Residents will get their own property’s test results. Each county will get the total number of cases of water contamination and radon found, but no addresses or names will be attached to the cases.

If you have any questions about the research, contact Fleming by email at sdflemin@ksu.edu or by phone at 785-532-6130.

Dr. Karin Goldberg is leading the water contamination research. Her email is kgoldberg@ksu.edu. Her phone number is 785-341-4454.

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