Cancer Increases 16 Years After Chernobyl

The people from the Findikli village at the Arsin district of the Black Sea province of Trabzon say they are faced with the threat of cancer and demand a health screening in the region.

Cancer cases increased after Chernobyl

Haci Yetim, whose father Huseyin Yetim died from cancer, said, "Cancer has become very common in the Black Sea region after the Chernobyl accident. We have not been able to plant hazelnuts since the Chernobyl accident."

Murat Sebelek said that his 13-year-old child has cancer. He added that they were unable to pay for the treatment. "40 people from this village died of cancer in the last year," said Sebelek. "We have many patients. There should be a health screening in the region. The officials should assume

responsibilities."

Villagers, who said that many people, including the former mayor Ahmet Gul,

have died of cancer, complain that no doctors or nurses have been appointed to the health center established in 1996. Villagers said that they had to take their patients to Trabzon, 40 kilometers away, for treatment.

(NK/BB)