Pockets of east Harris County show higher cancer rates than other areas, new report highlights

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A new report puts a spotlight on cancer rates across Harris County, specifically looking east and pinpointing areas where some numbers are higher than expected.

Harris County Public Health said the goal was to better understand cancer patterns and provide transparency about cancer rates in the county.

It's something people living in east Harris County said they've known about for a while.

"We are aware of that. People have been talking about that for years," Channelview resident Jose Varrientos said.

The report said none of the top 10 higher-than-expected cancer cases in a census tract were in the eastern part.

Still, the analysis showed certain pockets of eastern Harris County with elevated cancer rates compared to the county overall.

This data is now accessible via a new interactive dashboard that shows where certain types of cancers are higher than expected.

Lung cancer appears to be higher than usual in areas across the county.

In the eastern part, lung and bronchus cancer appeared across multiple neighborhoods as well.

Researchers noted that part of the county is near a high concentration of pollution sources, like chemical facilities, refineries, and landfills.

However, the report said cancer is complex and environmental exposures are just one possible risk factor.

It pointed to other factors, including genetics, family history, and smoking.

"Our family, we go very often to the doctor and check to see what's going on, especially because my wife, you know, she's related with her family, cancer," Varrientos said.

The report said the findings don't meet the definition of a cancer cluster.

Still, residents here say they're left wondering what more is being done.

"Who's going to do something about it and prove that something is actually being done about it? So yeah, we'll see," Channelview resident Oscar Perrett said.

ABC13 asked the public health officials how this report would help people in those areas.

They didn't mention any specific actions, but mainly said this can lead to more research and cancer awareness.