[Abby10]

My husband and I have been contemplating a move to TV for several years now, but one of his concerns is the possible cancer risk due to the use of pesticides there. This may very well be unrelated, but we have also had 2 relatives living in TV who have contracted pancreatic cancer since living there which increases his concern. We understand that with age, cancer rates will almost always be on the rise, but one of his relatives was under 60 years old. We have been following TOTV for almost as many years as we have been visiting TV and have come to respect the wisdom on this site. Interested to hear what you have to say about this. Do any of you have the same concerns? I did look at some stats from 2010 (couldn't find anything more recent) and was pleasantly surprised to see that the state of FL has much lower incidences of cancer overall than most other states, including melanoma, but could not find specific info for Sumter County.

[784caroline]

Originally Posted by Abby10

My husband and I have been contemplating a move to TV for several years now, but one of his concerns is the possible cancer risk due to the use of pesticides there. This may very well be unrelated, but we have also had 2 relatives living in TV who have contracted pancreatic cancer since living there which increases his concern. We understand that with age, cancer rates will almost always be on the rise, but one of his relatives was under 60 years old. We have been following TOTV for almost as many years as we have been visiting TV and have come to respect the wisdom on this site. Interested to hear what you have to say about this. Do any of you have the same concerns? I did look at some stats from 2010 (couldn't find anything more recent) and was pleasantly surprised to see that the state of FL has much lower incidences of cancer overall than most other states, including melanoma, but could not find specific info for Sumter County.

I am amazed at what people are worried about here in the Villages whether it be STD's or high cancer rates from pesticide use. My question to you would be, what makes you think TV HAS a high cancer rate due to pesticides. AS you have stated, your own research from 2010 has shown FL has a lower rate of cancer overall compared to other states. Its unfortunate that someone you know or even 2 people you know have developed pancreatic cancer, but from this you are taking a giant leap in surmizing TV has a high cancer rate.

Personally I would be more concerned about getting hit by a car while in a round-a-bout during high season .

[billethkid]

while I do not know for sure but I would bet that most incidences of cancer discovered in residents of TV were in the body long before moving here.

And as far as pesticide related, I am curious how this became a concern any more here than anywhere else in the USA or where you live.

Your additional research will not disprove the concern.

[pooh]

There are so many factors that can cause cancer to rear it's ugly head and it may not be from the relatively short exposure to pesticides used in the area. Exposure to factors that raise one' s potential for illness might have happened years ago, may be related to exposure to smog, industrial pollutants, certain chemicals found in cleaners, soaps, medicines, a compromised immune system, viruses, so many things.

In this community there are many, many older individuals and the processes that start illness may have already been doing what they do before arrival in TV.
You might statistically find more cancer in the local population. Pancreatic cancer can be the result of genetic mutations that happen early or later in life. Smoking also can play a factor in this particular type of cancer. Aging is also a factor in developing this cancer.

Please know there are risks in just living....no place is entirely danger free for humanity. Come for a visit, see how you like the place and do all you can to maintain your health, here or whoever you live.

[SALYBOW]

MAYBE i AM JUST DENSE, BUT WHERE DO THEY USE PESTICIDES IN tv EXCEPT AROUND THE WATER?

[zcaveman]

My nonmedical position on this subject is that most of the people that have been diagnosed with cancer since moving to TV had already had the "seeds" planted long before moving to TV.

I am pretty sure that my cancer was from my earlier life style - smoking - and not suddenly contracted by my moving to TV.

Z

[Carl in Tampa]

Originally Posted by SALYBOW

MAYBE i AM JUST DENSE, BUT WHERE DO THEY USE PESTICIDES IN tv EXCEPT AROUND THE WATER?

In my yard, for one. And in almost everyone's yard in TV where you see one of those little Massey signs warning you to stay off of the grass until the pesticide that they sprayed on it dries.

[Abby10]

Thank you all for your responses so far......pretty much my sentiments exactly. My husband tends to be more concerned about these types of things than me. But as far as pesticides, Salybow, I thought that most homes also had their lawns treated on a regular basis for insect control. And Pooh, we have visited several times and absolutely love everything about TV, especially the people! I don't think this will deter us from an eventual move. I hope you all won't hold this first post against me - been lurking here for a long time and kind of nervous to post. This probably wasn't the best way to start, but hubby has been contemplating this for so long that I thought it was best that he hear from the voice of reason (and that wouldn't be me! lol!) Thanks all!

[Abby10]

Yep, Carl.....that's what I was thinking. And Zcaveman, I agree with you about the "seeds". I just wonder sometimes how environmental factors may trigger those seeds. I told my husband the bottom line is that you never know who, what, where with cancer, so with that in mind I would rather be in The Villages than anywhere else. No telling anyway what the real cause - rather live out my days either way in the closest thing to heaven on earth!

[Carl in Tampa]

Have you found any data that lists pesticides as a proximate cause of pancreatic cancer?

The risk factors that I found listed include:


Family history: 5�10% of pancreatic cancer patients have a family history of pancreatic cancer.

Age. The risk of developing pancreatic cancer increases with age. Most cases occur after age 60, while cases before age 40 are uncommon.

Smoking. Cigarette smoking has a risk ratio of 1.74 with regard to pancreatic cancer; a decade of nonsmoking after heavy smoking is associated with a risk ratio of 1.2.

Diets low in vegetables and fruits.

Diets high in red meat. Processed meat consumption is positively associated with pancreatic cancer risk, and red meat consumption was associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer in men.

Diets high in sugar-sweetened drinks (soft drinks). In particular, limited epidemiological studies link the common soft drink sweetener fructose with growth of pancreatic cancer cells.

Obesity.

Diabetes mellitus is both risk factor for pancreatic cancer, and new onset diabetes can be an early sign of the disease.

Chronic pancreatitis has been linked, but is not known to be causal. The risk of pancreatic cancer in individuals with familial pancreatitis is particularly high.

Helicobacter pylori infection.

Gingivitis or periodontal disease.

Partial gastrectomy.

As you might observe, pesticides did not make the list.

I find it particularly interesting that you say that two relatives who moved here developed pancreatic cancer. Have you considered the familial risk factor listed above as the possible cause?

What about lifestyle? Did the family members who were stricken have similar habits, such as smoking, and similar diets?

I would not be one to urge you to move here because I would not want you to later blame me if you were to develop a disease, but personally, I don't consider the use of pesticides in The Villages to be a matter of major concern regarding my health.

[janmcn]

In addition to the rates of incidence of some cancers, you could also research the rates of survival compared to other areas. If you live in an area with state of the art, cutting edge health care, you could be sorely disappointed with health care in The Villages and for that matter, the whole state of Florida.

[Abby10]

Thanks, Carl, I appreciate your informative post. No, I don't have any info linking pesticides with pancreatic cancer either. The interesting thing about the relatives - there was a test done to determine a genetic link, mainly because the cancers occurred one right after the other and they were brother and sister. The doctors were also concerned about that for the sake of the children and other family members (cousins). To my knowledge no genetic link was found which surprised all of us. Their lifestyles were completely different - one was a diabetic and one had no health issues at all. Neither one smoked. I think that my husband is a bit more concerned than usual because, other than the diabetes, it just didn't make sense. He is also still somewhat traumatized at losing his one cousin. He passed away 2 days before we arrived for a scheduled visit, less than 6 months ago. We are so grateful that the other cousin was spared and is now past the 1 year cancer free mark. Thanks again, Carl, for your post. I've enjoyed reading many of your past contributions to this forum.

[asianthree]

for most cancer comes with you....usually undetected until you have more time to visit a doctor, or slow down enough to have time to know something is wrong...but the bad news is there are more deaths in the area of retirement places than say an area with lots of young people...(sorry just had too)

[manaboutown]

If they were brother and sister they probably grew up in the same house(s), ate the same food and so on for 20 years more or less. Too, how reliable/sophisticated is the genetic testing for various cancer indicators?

One of my high school classmates died of pancreatic cancer at about age 65. As far as I know he was never obese or smoked.

[justjim]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

If they were brother and sister they probably grew up in the same house(s), ate the same food and so on for 20 years more or less. Too, how reliable/sophisticated is the genetic testing for various cancer indicators?

One of my high school classmates died of pancreatic cancer at about age 65. As far as I know he was never obese or smoked.

My brother-in-law passed at 52 from pancreatic cancer. He was an electrician. Asbestos? Never smoked and very healthy in a small Southern Illinois town.

Come on down---your chances of cancer are no greater here than any other place in the country.