Tumours in Paradise

September 23, 2009

By Susan Merrell

However, for the Solomon Islands’ government, it is the Coral Sea rather than the Pacific that is the major current concern. Speaking ahead of the Coral Triangle Initiative meeting held in Indonesia in May and attended by the leaders of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and the Solomon Islands, Solomons’ prime minister, Dr Derek Sikua, said, ‘This. is the main spawning ground for tuna, and because of the threat of climate change and pollution we need to act together.’
Yet if Trevor Garland’s theory is correct, those long-lived, deep-sea tuna could be at the heart of the tumour problem.

More research required

Alexandra Martiniuk is an epidemiologist and Senior Research Fellow at the George Institute in Sydney. The Institute conducts research into chronic disease in vulnerable populations such as those in developing countries. Dr Martiniuk is familiar with the epidemiological issues in the Solomon Islands and has also conducted research into cancer ‘clusters’. However, she says she would need far more data before a causal link to the tumours could be established.
‘With any anecdotal evidence, it must first be ascertained whether an increase is actual or perceived,’ she explained. ‘It could just be that more people with tumours are presenting for treatment as the health service in the country improves.’ Without accurate historical data, of which there is a dearth, there’s no way of knowing.
There are also many different types of tumour. ‘You’ve mentioned three diagnoses to me,’ Dr Martiniuk points out. ‘The three are quite different and would have different causes.’ However, she concedes that in the aftermath of nuclear testing ‘many cancers increase in incidence’.

It’s hard to believe that Stanley, Rex and Alfred are lucky, but they are. Many Solomon Islanders with life-threatening illnesses never get onto treatment programmes like those offered at St Vincent’s. Back home, even if the medical expertise exists, there is a lack of sophisticated diagnostic and treatment tools, meaning treatable conditions are too often fatal.
Whether the incidence of tumours in the Solomon Islands is increasing or whether they’re merely being noticed and recorded for the first time, the anecdotal evidence suggests that the occurrence is high, while scientific studies indicate that cancer rates in general are also high. This should be of concern.
Rex has only just started his treatment. It could be a long road. His medical team firstly needs to arrest the growth of the tumour before it can operate to remove it. It’s a dangerous time for Rex, as the tumour-retarding injections will cause inflammation. His doctors need to ensure that the inflammation doesn’t push on and block his airways. It’s going to be quite an ordeal. He’s so small. It hardly seems fair. But then for sick Solomon Islanders, it rarely is.
I ask Trevor Garland how he thinks Rex will fare. ‘I don’t know,’ he replies. ’I've never seen one of these before.’ There remain so many questions – so few answers.