A Civil Action - The Woburn Toxic Trial > Resources for Educators > Module 2 - Cancer

### Woburn Resources across the site

Overarching Questions Cancer Clusters
Key Issues Health Studies
Learning Modules Cancer
Resources Leukemia Cell Images

# Cancer

## How to use this module

Cancer is an everyday topic in the news. The type and treatment of different types of cancers can be complex and confusing. Providing students with knowledge and resources regarding the development of cancers related to environmental factors and specific sources is the focus of this module. It will be important to have students be familiar the state-of-the-art of cancer treatment prior to 1986 (the year the trial started) and the current state-of-the-art of cancer treatment and research. Students who use the results of research completed since the Woburn Toxic Trial are likely to discover more conclusive evidence linking the contaminants, drinking water and leukemia. As the instructor, an early decision or strategy for role playing is whether to limit the students to the actual data used in the original trial proceedings or to conduct an updated mock trial that includes the scientific advances.

## Module design perspective

This module was designed to present links to the American Cancer Association, Center for Disease Control and other similar web sites so that students can understand the differences of cancer types and the suspected environmental conditions that may trigger cell mutation. Also included with the resource materials are copies of technical reports and Health Studies that were exhibits for the various health experts who were deposed for the trial. If it is your intent to limit the mock trial testimony to the data available at the the time of the original trial (pre-1986), students can be familiar with the later studies, but the Court will have to stipulate that evidence based on post 1986 studies is inadmissible. The temptation to 'sneak in new facts' will require students representing the parties to be familiar with the treatments of the 1980s so they can effectively police post-trial findings with sustained objections.

## Activity Page

Cancer Cluster Activity Overview

## Student Assignment

Student Assignment: Investigating Cancer Clusters

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