{"id":763343,"date":"2026-07-15T00:20:13","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T00:20:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/763343\/"},"modified":"2026-07-15T00:20:13","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T00:20:13","slug":"rare-cancer-cluster-in-southern-california-prompts-investigation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/763343\/","title":{"rendered":"Rare cancer cluster in Southern California prompts investigation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Families in an affluent Southern California community are being urged to come forward as attorneys launch an investigation into an alarming number of rare childhood cancer cases<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Bond Legal said it is confidentially gathering information from those whose children lived in or regularly visited Ladera Ranch in Orange County <\/a>and were diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma or other childhood cancers.<\/p>\n

The probe comes after at least six children connected to the master-planned community have been diagnosed since 2013, according to affected families.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeveral representatives from the California Cancer Registry, the UCI Cancer Center, and the Orange County Agricultural Commissioner\u2019s Office met after the County Health Officer initiated outreach in response to ongoing community concerns earlier this year,\u201d the Orange County Heath Care Agency told the Post in a statement. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe group agreed to conduct an updated review of cancer data. Findings from this analysis will be shared in upcoming weeks with the County Health Officer as soon as they are available,\u201d they added. <\/p>\n

Families in an affluent Southern California community are being urged to come forward as attorneys launch an investigation into an alarming number of rare childhood cancer cases. Unwind \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n

The rare bone and soft tissue cancer affects only about 200 to 240 children and teens nationwide each year, according to the American Cancer Society.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe concentration of cases in a single community is deeply troubling, especially to those who live there,\u201d said Candice Bond, managing partner of Bond Legal.<\/p>\n

The Post has also reached out to the Orange County Health Care Agency for comment. According to residents, the agency has said it is looking into the matter.<\/p>\n

The law firm said it is seeking information from parents whose children lived in or frequently visited Ladera Ranch, attended local schools, churches, parks, camps or sports facilities, and were diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma, leukemia, lymphoma or another rare childhood cancer. <\/p>\n

It is also asking families to share information about possible exposure to pesticides, herbicides, contaminated soil or water, construction materials or other environmental hazards.<\/p>\n

\u201cFamilies deserve transparency about what their children may have been exposed to,\u201d Bond said. \u201cWhen rare cancers appear in clusters, every environmental factor \u2014 no matter how routine it may seem \u2014 must be examined carefully.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bond Legal stressed that multiple cancer diagnoses alone do not establish that a particular exposure caused the illnesses and said any legal claims would require reliable scientific, medical and factual evidence.<\/p>\n

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The firm said its investigation could examine historical pesticide and herbicide applications, landscaping and pest-control practices, soil and groundwater conditions, former agricultural land uses, imported fill materials, schools and parks, nearby commercial operations and public records.<\/p>\n

The California Department of Public Health said its California Cancer Registry evaluates possible cancer clusters by comparing the number of cases diagnosed in a specific community over a defined period with the number that would normally be expected in a similarly sized population based on statewide cancer rates, age groups and time periods. <\/p>\n

The renewed attention follows months of advocacy by local parents who have questioned whether extensive pesticide and herbicide use throughout the 4,000-acre community could be contributing to the illnesses. NBC<\/p>\n

\u201cAn apparent increase in a small area does not, by itself, establish that a cluster exists or that a common cause is present,\u201d\u00a0the department said. <\/p>\n

The renewed attention follows months of advocacy by local parents who have questioned whether extensive pesticide and herbicide use throughout the 4,000-acre community could be contributing to the illnesses.<\/p>\n

Residents have spent months researching public records, documenting landscaping practices and pressing officials for greater transparency about the chemicals being used throughout the neighborhood.<\/p>\n

Attorney and Ladera Ranch resident Jackie French previously told The California Post that records appeared to show numerous pesticide and herbicide applications throughout the community, prompting residents to call for a transition toward organic landscaping methods.<\/p>\n

Researchers have previously explored possible links between pesticide exposure and certain childhood cancers, including Ewing sarcoma, but no direct causal relationship has been established.<\/p>\n

Public health authorities have not identified a specific environmental cause, and officials have not linked Ladera Ranch\u2019s landscaping practices to the reported illnesses.<\/p>\n

One family\u2019s tragedy has become the face of the community\u2019s campaign for answers.<\/p>\n

Brody Matteson in a blue football jersey with \u201cEAGLES 53\u201d printed on the front, holding a football. Obtained by the CA Post<\/p>\n

Brody Matteson was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma in August 2024 at age 17. After undergoing treatment, he later developed acute myeloid leukemia as a complication of that treatment and died on March 22.<\/p>\n

Following his death, his mother, Megan Matteson, posted in a community Facebook group asking whether other local families had experienced cancer diagnoses, helping reignite concerns among residents who believed the cases warranted further investigation.<\/p>\n

The issue has also drawn the attention of state lawmakers.<\/p>\n

Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez said she is working with state and local agencies after learning of the reports.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike many of you, I have read the recent reports regarding cancer cases in Ladera Ranch and the concerns being raised by families about pesticide use in our community,\u201d Sanchez said in a statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a mom and as your Assemblywoman, these reports are deeply concerning. My heart is with every family that has been affected.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanchez said her office is \u201cactively gathering information, engaging with the appropriate state and local agencies, and reviewing what is known.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf there are unanswered questions, they must be addressed through a transparent, science-based process,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The rare bone and soft tissue cancer affects only about 200 to 240 children and teens nationwide each year, according to the American Cancer Society. Alamy Stock Photo<\/p>\n

The Republican lawmaker pledged to continue advocating for \u201ca thorough review of the available information, open communication with the community, and full transparency from every entity involved.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf changes in law or oversight are needed to better protect our neighborhoods, I will not hesitate to pursue them,\u201d Sanchez added. \u201cThe health and safety of our children must always come first.\u201d<\/p>\n

Environmental health experts have also said the concerns deserve careful review, even though no direct link has yet been established.<\/p>\n

Bruce Blumberg, an environmental health expert at the University of California, Irvine, previously told The California Post that communities should minimize pesticide use whenever possible.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I were a parent living in that area, I would be strongly advocating for elimination of pesticide use,\u201d Blumberg said. \u201cIn my opinion, it is unreasonable to risk people\u2019s health for the cosmetic elimination of weeds and unwanted vegetation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Blumberg noted that many California cities have already adopted organics-first landscape management programs and argued that safer alternatives should be used whenever practical.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the management company overseeing the unincorporated area of Ladera Ranch said it is establishing an ad hoc advisory committee to review its landscape maintenance practices and identify opportunities for improvement.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs part of our commitment to transparency and community engagement, the Board has directed staff to establish an ad hoc advisory committee comprised of homeowners, Board members, staff, and landscape professionals. The committee will review our landscape maintenance practices, evaluate opportunities for continued improvement, and provide recommendations for the Board\u2019s consideration.\u201d Ladera Ranch Maintenance Corporation (LARMAC)\u00a0told the Post. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe understand why residents are seeking answers, and we recognize the concern that recent media coverage has generated throughout our community,\u201d they added, noting \u201cwe are not aware of any determination by those agencies identifying a specific environmental cause or linking the Association\u2019s landscape management practices to these illnesses.\u201d<\/p>\n

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