On June 6, citizens of Andover gathered in the Town Hall to hear a panel of experts discuss cancer rates in New Hampshire, how the data is collected for research, possible causes of cancer, and what is being done in terms of awareness, prevention, and  education. We have requested the New Hampshire cancer epidemiologist, GM Monawar Hosain, MD, PhD, to look into cancer incidence in Andover in response to citizen concern.

Cancer data is already collected very thoroughly by the New Hampshire state cancer registry through legally-mandated hospital reporting, and the cancer registry also receives information from neighboring states. But if people are concerned that their cancer may not have been included in the registry (for example, if their cancer was treated only in a central or west coast state, but not in a New Hampshire hospital), they are welcome to call the state to self-report. (Please note that Dr. Hosain cannot provide information back to the public about specific cases.)

Note: This is not a request to report other people’s cancers, but a choice that an individual may make about reporting their own diagnosis. This would involve contacting Dr. Hosain to provide brief details about the cancer and where and when it was diagnosed. Dr. Hosain can be reached directly at gm.hosain@nulldhhs.state.nh.us or call 271-7812.

These calls are strictly voluntary, and the decision to disclose this information is strictly voluntary. The rates of cancer in the Andover region will be presented in a meeting this fall.

If you have any questions or would like more information about the content of the first panel, please feel free to call Vicky Mishcon at 735-6402 or Cindy Benson at 321-9231.