During my time as a selectwoman, I was approached several times by Andover residents who are concerned about the number of cancer cases in Andover Village. Was there anyone at the state level who could look at the incidence of cancer in the village and determine a common cause or let us know if the number of cases warrants a study?

I contacted the state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to request information on the number of cancer cases in Andover as compared to other towns in the state. It turns out that the number of cases in Andover is no higher than other towns our size in the state.

To pursue the matter further, Cindy Benson and I participated in a conference call with several specialists at the DHHS who are very willing to talk with Andover residents about our concerns and about cancer awareness and prevention in general.

Cindy and I are planning two meetings that will be open to all Andover residents. The first will be on Friday, June 6, at 7PM at the Andover Town Hall meeting room. The presentation will focus on cancer awareness and prevention.

The speakers will be:

• Lelah Talebian, Director, Community Health Education and Cancer Prevention at Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center

• Whitney Hammond, Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Manager, State of New Hampshire Chronic Disease Coordinator

• Dr. Monawar Hosain, New Hampshire State Cancer Registry Epidemiologist

A second meeting will be scheduled later in the summer to speak more specifically to the incidence of cancer in Andover and residents’ concerns.

For more information, contact Vicky Mishcon at 735-6402 or Cindy Benson at CindyBenson@nulltds.net or 321-9231.