The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

A PRIVATE doctor yesterday renewed calls for the government to fund specific tests for Marathon residents to detect the presence of gasoline or its compounds in their blood.

Dr Sy Pierre, clinical director at Doctors Hospital’s Bahamas Medical Centre, told The Tribune that public health screenings conducted this month were rudimentary. “I think what they are doing is just getting medical history and physicals,” he said.

“They may look at liver and kidney function, which are part of routine blood tests, but if those are abnormal, we won’t know if it came from [gas leak] or something else. The thing for government to do is foot the bill.”

The Tribune spoke to Dr Pierre, an anaesthesiologist, following an interview with a late-stage cancer patient who lives in the Marathon area roughly 1,000 feet east of the Rubis Bahamas service station at Robinson and Old Trail Roads. According to an independent report released last month, the fuel release of 24,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline occurred at the station in November 2012.

Both station owner Rubis Bahamas and the government have maintained that only five Marathon homes have been affected by the fuel leak.

Tanya Thompson, 54, was diagnosed with breast cancer last June, according to family members. A mother of two and owner of a pre-school and nursery, Ms Thompson said she first sought natural treatment therapy in Denver, Colorado, after small skin bumps on her upper body became painful, inflamed and spread.

It was there that she was diagnosed with breast cancer, but opted not pursue a medical-based treatment at that time. Since then, the painful bumps have calloused and completely disfigured her chest. They extend down to her midsection and have started to spread to her back. Ms Thompson has no medical insurance, and while she is now seeking treatment at Princess Margaret Hospital, it is unclear whether she will be able to withstand chemical treatment due to her severely weakened state.

When The Tribune visited her home, Ms Thompson appeared emaciated and was bedridden. Her voice was barely audible and she spoke in short breaths. She requires constant care as she can no longer provide for herself, according to her aunt, Paulette Bowe.

Ms Bowe, 64, said it was heartbreaking to watch her formerly independent niece’s downward spiral as the disease forced her to give up her post as principal at La Petite Pre-school and Nursery.

“She is still in her sound mind,” Ms Bowe said, “but she can’t do for herself. She was never in that position. I’m not used to seeing what I’m seeing, it’s rough.”

Ms Thompson said her family has used private well water to cook, clean and bathe until it was announced last month that residents in the area were to switch to the public system.

“I never had no problems before, this disease came out of nowhere,” Ms Thompson said. “I wish I had at least known to switch my water, maybe it would have helped me.

“I don’t feel that the residents were protected. As soon as the government found out what was the problem they should have made a public announcement. We haven’t switched yet, we’re still waiting, but now we’re using bottled water for everything.”

Yesterday, Dr Pierre explained that while Ms Thompson’s cancer could have been the result of exposure to contaminated groundwater, it was nearly impossible to make a direct link. He also pointed out that she did not seek adequate medical treatment and, while there were still treatment options available, he estimated she had a 20 per cent chance of success.

“She went to Denver to a natural healing place when she had a small lump,” he said. “They did detoxification but nothing specifically for cancer, and it started growing. There is no test to say, ok this amount of gasoline or exposure we can see where this molecule of gas went into this cell and caused this.

“People exposed have a higher rate of illness, but the body is pretty amazing and tries to get rid of toxins. It’s been three years [since the leak].”

Although he still advocates that residents be tested, Dr Pierre acknowledged that possible exposure could have long been transferred to fat cells – which would require a biopsy.

He said that he has contacted three research toxicology centres about the possibility of organising group testing, but all facilities require either governmental or institutional support for widespread testing.

As for blood tests, Dr Pierre confirmed that the cost of an uninsured person was $768. He said that Doctors Hospital would require a group of around 200 people before they could consider a discounted fee.