Suffering from brain cancer, an educator from the Alès basin wants to know where his pathology comes from

Successfully operated on, Marc Lemaire is now seeking to identify patients in the sector.

The alert launched by the NGO Générations futures concerning PFAS pollution around the Salindres industrial site produced a shock effect for Marc Lemaire, 48 years old, suffering from brain cancer. The revelation of the presence of “eternal pollutants” in water, and, on the same day, the confidential disclosure of the results of the Public Health France investigation into glioblastoma, provoked many questions among the specialist educator.< /p>

"I have been working at L’IME Artès, Saint-Privat, a few kilometers from the factory for 13 years. And I live in Générargues. I'm out of luck, the man with his cap on his head would almost smile. "I work near an industrial site classified Seveso 2, and I live in an area affected by pollution linked to mining."

Also read: A "world record" of releases of eternal pollutants measured in Salindres: Future Generations accuses local authorities of inaction

"I knew right away it was cancer"

On June 7, at work, Marc Lemaire collapsed, suffering a serious epileptic attack. In the Alès emergency room, a CT scan and an MRI are carried out. A suspicious lesion is discovered. Head to the Franciscans in Nîmes. The 4 cm diameter tumor is confirmed. "The next day, I met the neurosurgeon. The time to put the protocol in place, to carry out the analyses, to see the anesthesiologist… hellip; I had surgery on June 14, in less than a week."

The malignant tumor, a grade 3 astrocytoma, is extracted from the patient's skull. Samples are sent to the laboratory. Anapath confirms the diagnosis. "We started the 30 sessions of radiotherapy and chemo at the same time. Afterwards, I had a month and a half of rest before starting chemo again. Today I am still under treatment."

I would like to understand why we were affected, compare our lifestyles, consumption patterns…

Combatative and determined, Marc Lemaire wants to get answers: "I knew right away that it was cancer, even if the medical profession is still reluctant to say the words. Doctors never give explanations about the causes, but I would like to know what triggers this type of pathology. After reading the article, I wanted to know more about the cluster of brain cancers affecting Salindres and Rousson. There have been analyses ? Studies ? Why is no one reporting on it ? (read below) Who and how many people are affected by these pathologies ? There is definitely someone who works on these themes, no ?"

Also read: Brain cancer in Salindres: no preferred lead and no "strong hypothesis" retained in the final report

The educator would like to get closer to other people who are in the same situation as him. "Apparently, Future Generations has received calls along these lines. I would like to understand why we were affected, compare our lifestyles, consumption…hellip; We need to know. I won't give up."

Too many cancers, but no explanations

Before being available on the Santé public France, the report was é shared on the sly à the sub-prefecture of Al in the presence of industrialists from the chemical platform, local elected officials and local residents' associations. factory. For explanations, pedagogy, questions and possible answers, you will have to come back.

À reading the final report, which would have required a few clarifications for a better understanding, we learn that the main cause of glioblastomas (commonly called brain cancers) is exposure to ionizing rays, that is- àsay à radioactivity. A track that has been developed Removed by the Security services nuclear.

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