Inquiry ordered into island cancer claims

Tuesday 02 April 1996 00:02 BST

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A health chief has been ordered to investigate claims that cancer cases in the Western Isles of Scotland are linked to the Chernobyl disaster ten years ago. The inquiry was ordered by the isles' health board after the claims, revealed by the Independent on Sunday, were made by two doctors on Benbecula.

It will be carried out by the area's Director of Public Health, Dr Mike George, after GPs Francis Tierney and Andrew Senior reported that 19 new cases of cancer had emerged on the island since 1994 when only six were expected. Dr George said there was no need for mass screening and no link between radiation and the type of cancer found.

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Inquiry ordered into island cancer claims

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