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Valley near New Orleans has alarmingly high cancer rates

On Behalf of | Dec 7, 2018 | lung cancer

Louisiana is known as a great destination for outdoor activity, enough that the state’s nickname was “Sportsman’s Paradise” for decades. But recent evidence shows that many parts of the Mississippi River Valley have been dangerous to inhabitants and visitors alike for years.

Why is Louisiana a serious concern for health?

A study released earlier this year shows clusters of high incidence of cancer rates across the Bayou State. An area of particular concern, the industrial corridor extending west along the Mississippi River from New Orleans, has a record of cancer rates so high that the region is often known as “Cancer Alley.”

How does this region compare to the state and the country?

The neighborhood analysis of the study shows that many communities in the valley show 600 incidents of cancer for every 100,000 residents, more than 25 percent more than Louisiana’s statewide rate. Louisiana itself appears in the top 10 states of cancer rates per capita in the United States.

What are the main carcinogenic causes in the region?

Environmentalists and victims believe that chemical plants producing compounds like chloroprene are causing various types of cancer with emissions into the air and the water. Refineries have also been targeted as causes of cancer.

What do I do if I have been diagnosed with cancer?

After the required medical attention, a person may consult with an attorney on the possibility of a civil claim for financial damages related to a cancer diagnosis. A lawyer can help victims weigh their options and inform them of the legal landscape around certain types of claims.