Health officials in Massachusetts are conducting an investigation following reports of several teachers at Uxbridge High School being diagnosed with breast cancer over the past few years. This serious development was announced by Uxbridge Public Schools Superintendent David Ljungberg and Uxbridge High School Principal Michael Rubin in a letter to parents, released just days after the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2026.
Despite the fact that officials have emphasized that no connection has been found between the diagnoses, the news has deeply affected the school community. Jayden Dubois, a student at the school, shared his feelings with NBC 10 Boston, stating, "One of the teachers had to leave early because of breast cancer. So she's out for right now, and we don't know if she'll be back." He added that some students were heartbroken because the teacher was well-liked.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) will conduct air quality tests at the school on Thursday, having already ruled out the water supply as a potential risk. The interior and exterior of the building, including electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems, will also be examined to ensure there are no risks present. Additionally, an evaluation of the previous uses of the school site will take place.
DPH officials have stated that there is “no evidence of immediate danger in the building and no reason to limit access to or use of the facility at this time.” Classes and school activities will continue as normal while the evaluations are conducted, according to Ljungberg and Rubin.
“Our highest priority remains the health and safety of all our students and staff,” they said in their letter. “We are fortunate to be working closely with a team that has deep expertise in these matters, and we are grateful for your patience and cooperation while we navigate this rigorous review process together.”
Public health officials have praised the district’s decision to approach them with concerns, their readiness to partner in the evaluation process, and their commitment to full transparency with the school community.
The investigation has received positive feedback from the teachers at the school. The Uxbridge Teachers Association expressed its support in a statement, saying, “We applaud the efforts made by the Uxbridge Public Schools administration and building leadership to ensure that students and staff are learning in safe and healthy environments.”
The group also noted that the district has kept staff informed throughout the process and has supported educators through their medical treatments. While early indications suggest no environmental factors are putting students and staff at risk for breast cancer, the association fully supports the investigation by public health experts and encourages members to assist in this work.
Health officials are also examining the cancer cases of the affected teachers, including their age, medical history, and genetic background, to assess the statistical likelihood of common causes, according to the letter from Ljungberg and Rubin.
Dr. Sam Nardello, medical director of the Breast Health Center at Tufts Medical Center, explained to NBC 10 that breast cancer has many contributing factors. He mentioned that it affects about 1 in 8 women and that approximately 250,000 women are diagnosed each year.
He also told WBZ that it is unlikely a direct link will be found at the school. “Most breast cancers are environmentally linked. About 15-20 percent are genetically linked, but the environmental factors that we know about are typically things like smoking and alcohol, which are the biggest risk factors,” Nardello said. “There are chemical components, but those are much more rare and not something that we are easily able to identify.”
The Independent has requested comment from the school. Since 1986, The Independent has campaigned for what we believe in, not what we are told to believe, with integrity, inclusion, innovation, and independence as our guiding principles.
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