North Carolina Now; North Carolina Now Episode from 07/15/1997

It's Tuesday July 5th taped tonight searching for answers to the mysteries of breast cancer in North Carolina now. Good evening I'm reading a trice so glad you could join us for this Tuesday evening on tonight's edition of North Carolina now will learn about a state and federal program designed to help North Carolina residents living on hurricane prone areas to get out of harm's way. Also tonight we'll profile a very special mountain retreat home to Billy Graham which is celebrating its 1 100th anniversary.

But first tonight some groundbreaking research in our state which could have major implications for all women. Nearly 200000 women across the country will receive a disturbing diagnosis this year. A diagnosis of breast cancer and one in nine American women will get that same news at some point during their lives. Yet medical experts still know very little about what causes this disease. A massive study now underway at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is trying to pin down some of the culprits. But as Kelly McCann reports the task is far from simple. What really causes breast cancer. Medical reports bombard us with a dizzying array of constantly changing suspects alcohol fatty foods birth control pills overhead power lines the list goes on. I'm here. Marion Lofton is part of an effort to find more decisive answers. Diagnosed with breast cancer last year she's joined a new

study at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill that's searching for the causes of the disease. After this happened to me I just felt like there was something else that on needed to be doing to help someone else. And this study is part of that new beginning for me. More than 4000 women half of them with breast cancer half without are being interviewed over an eight year period about their medical histories and their lifestyles. Their blood is being drawn and analyzed and for the women who have had breast cancer their tumors are being studied. The idea is to identify similarities among women with breast cancer that may help explain why they develop tumors and other women did not. Here are some risk factors researchers already know the risk of breast cancer increases as a woman gets older and women who have had previous breast disease are at a greater risk. Reproductive history also plays a role specifically early puberty and forgoing or delaying childbearing and the presence of an inherited gene raises the odds. But all those factors taken

together account for only a fraction of the cases of breast cancer. Some experts say only one in four. So something else is clearly at work here. Dr. Kay Dickerson serves on the advisory board of the National Cancer Institute. What's different about the North Carolina study is that it's in the vanguard of a new group of studies that investigates changes at the genetic level in a woman. At the same time it's looking at risk factors so we can try to look at the possible interactions between lifestyle factors environmental factors. The main environmental factor included in the study is pesticides. We have decided to focus on pesticides in this population because we have a large number of women and there is some animal evidence that may contribute to breast cancer. This study is not only looking at Risk Factors that women could avoid but also things

they could do to help prevent the disease. In particular some familiar over-the-counter medications are showing promise in protecting against cancer. There are some preliminary evidence suggesting that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and that includes things like aspirin might reduce the risk of certain kinds of cancer. Similarly there is evidence suggesting that certain types of vitamins might reduce the risk of breast cancer. But even if that ultimately proved to be the case it may apply only to certain women. That's because many researchers are starting to think of breast cancer as more than one disease with different kinds of tumors linked to different risk factors perhaps genetic factors are involved environmental factors reproductive factors. And so it's probably some combination of these factors rather than just a single cause of a single to see. And so it makes it more complex to study it much more difficult to come up with answers.

Answers that researchers hope can be translated someday into specific breast cancer prevention strategies. Experts warn that may not happen as quickly as we'd like. Study is a piece of a puzzle and it's a very complicated puzzle not a puzzle like a very young child puts together but it's one of the hardest puzzles you can possibly get. And it's a good study contributes an important piece. But we have to wait unfortunately for the the picture to be complete. But Marian Lofton and others involved in a North Carolina study youre confident their contributions when added together with other studies from around the country will help complete the picture. So women can stop wondering what's causing breast cancer and start doing something about it. Researchers hope to publish their findings from the first phase of the research within the next year. Later in the program a small mountain community with a big reputation marks a milestone. Right now though it's time for

statewide news update with Robin many of those sitting in for Michel Lois. Hello Robin. Thanks Maria. Good evening everyone. A push to increase spending on Child Protective Services tops our news this evening. And administration officials are asking legislators to rewrite a law so judges can more easily remove children from abusive homes. Officials say changing the law on family reunification may be the most important step the legislature can take. Critics say the current law places too great an Infosys on keeping families together even when a child's safety is at risk. Other proposals before lawmakers include spending 20 million dollars next year to help counties hire more Child Protective Service and foster care adoption workers. A federal appeals court has upheld North Carolina's law requiring parental consent for girls under the age of 18 to get an abortion. Opponents of the law contend it places an undue burden on young women. But the fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the law is valid because of a provision allowing an underage girl to get a judge's permission for an

abortion if she does not want to involve her parents. State officials say more property owners will probably be allowed to rebuild beach homes damaged by last year's hurricanes last September. Officials with the State Division of coastal management estimated 500 homes on the state's barrier islands might be totaled. But now officials say the number of homes considered unrepairable may only be about 200 under state rules oceanfront houses damaged 50 percent beyond their value can only be rebuilt if their lots weren't badly eroded. State officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency developed a computer program using results of a private appraisal and at least two repair estimates to determine the level of damage for each house. State prosecutors hope to shut down an Onslow County hog farm. They believe contaminated a branch of the New River attorney general Mike Easley is seeking a temporary restraining order and a permanent injunction against the farm operated by Raymond Smith. Smith is being accused of at least

three willful violations of state law. Environmental inspectors found high fecal coliform counts on the gravely branch of the New River near Smith's farm. The county has posted health advisories in the area. State highway officials now say Interstate 40 in Haywood County will remain blocked a two way traffic at least through this week. Rock slides closed a 35 mile stretch of the highway July 1st. Department of Transportation Officials say crews involved in the clean up discovered cracked rock about one hundred fifty feet farther into the ridge than they originally thought. No new target date to open the road has been set. Officials say the decision will be made on a day to day basis. Tropical storm Claudette has been downgraded to a tropical depression Claudette is now breaking apart as it moves away from the North Carolina coast. And looking ahead to tomorrow's weather it won't be quite as hot across the state. Temperatures will range from the mid 80s in the mountains to low 90s at the coast. Partly sunny conditions are on tap statewide.

There's a slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms across the state as well. In business news the Employment Security Commission introduced a new electronic resource to bring together employers and job seekers. The North Carolina talent bank allows registered employers to view resumes over the worldwide web. Job seekers can register post their resumes and update them at the site. It can be accessed through e ses home page at EFC dot state DOT in C dot us. There are no charges or fees to use the talent Bay network. Around 130 jobs may be eliminated at the coal Mills textile plant and Solsbury. Company officials say business volume can no longer support the positions. A spokesperson for Cone says the plant will be converted from four 12 hour shifts to three eight hour shifts. Greensboro based Cone Mills is the world's biggest manufacturer of denim. It has nine plants in North and South Carolina employing more than 6000 workers.

Now for a look at what happened on Wall Street today. More than 1000 families living in areas hard hit during last year's hurricane season will get help moving out of harm's way thanks to about 25 million dollars and

Hazard Mitigation grants funded by the state and federal governments. The purpose of the grants is to relocate people living in flood prone areas or to elevate properties above projected flood levels. Here to tell us more about the program is Billy Ray Cameron the assistant secretary for public safety coordination with the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety Mr. Cameron welcome. Thank you. Let's talk about this grant program what areas of the state will be receiving this help. Well during Hurricane Fran it was 58 counties declared by the president so any one of those counties or missed policies within the counties could be eligible but it present fame has approved 78 counties one of those in the western part bunkum County and Wayne County is involved in our county and several other counties down the coastal area. And what will you be using this money for to relocate in to elevate houses as you mention earlier but the main thing you've got to remember that during Hurricane Fran the flooding was tremendous rain around Wayne County and Illinois and there was a lot of as it came down from Durham and we

can in this area if you went down the river started flood there's lot of sewer stuff mixed into a lot of health problems. So early on Governor said we need to do something to relocate them and get them out of harm's way so the bulk of it is around will know when Wayne County but there will be other counties involved. So let's talk about that relocation a little bit you're going to be purchasing the houses from people who live there and that allowed them to live move out of the area who purchase the homes it's located in a hundred year flood plane and move it outside and buy a new property and build a new home in a fair market value. What I also found interesting is that you will be purchasing some vacant lots as well so to keep them from people building there correct. The whole idea is to move them out of harm's way and so every piece apart property or property that is available we don't try to buy and move my home's way. I know. There had been some controversy and involving rebuilding on North Topsail and whether or not those people can view the rebuilding. What's the difference between allowing the people who you're going to be helping with this grant program who are living in flood prone areas

and what's going on there at North Topsail. Well we'll probably be doing some relocation in those stops and probably come up in the next round and that the big difference is that these are in the 100 year flood plain term of our flood people in our state government and any time that we can move those people out it plugged the 100 year flood plain. It will save us money in the long run in the future so we try to save money and lives and property and get them out of harm's way. But the big difference once again is that they're located in a river in a flood plain and the coastal area that the danger comes from the incoming storm surge and a lot you can do about it other than move or setbacks. Let's talk a little bit more about the 100 year flood plain exactly what that is that might help us in our understanding of the people that will be helped. Actually 100 year flood plain as they take a projection now be the worst storm in 100 years. The water would reach 100 year period. Was that storm Fran Fran was but a 60 year they determined to be about a 60 year

so they could be of even the worst don't come in and you've got to remember in the Kinston in the Wayne County area when a new river there it is flood it continues for years so it's going to go an ongoing problem that we're trying to solve. But once again relocate people move them out of harm's way and in the long run to be saving tax dollars because we continue to spend over and over from to help them rebuild their lives after floods and that was a question that I was just going to ask you is that this does save money in the long run because these are people who are continually having their houses damaged and rebuilding and that costs tax dollars correct. So it's all done on a projection we do computer studies. How much money to save in the long run they projected just in the caisson area at a cost of six to seven million dollars to relocate or to elevate houses in the long run to say we're somewhere around 20 million dollars in projected damage in the future. Well while I have you here I know that you are the expert on Fran recovery So let's talk a little bit about where our state is now in terms of how far we've recovered from France. We've got 60 percent finished with Fran. This project it'll take just the

year 2000 to really get through with the total storm. It's long range effects you can imagine what it will take just temper commercial temper is one point two billion dollars worth of commercial time are lost in a storm. So we're going to replant and redo the forests or they could be future problems with trees down in the forest really doing a lot of work with the forestry department trying to cut foreign lands to make sure there's not a big forest fire this summer. No long range is the berms on the coastal area will take years for those to come back Mother Nature put those back in place and we just prayed it'll be another storm until we can get these special loan cops or Surf City or you can get those berms back in place in any future damage. Just a lot of long range programs we'll be looking at the co-ops the electoral co-ops down around the coast the power lines are above ground. But those on the ground that could save a lot of time and energy in the next storm and there's just a lot of projects out there we can do in the future

to really help and moving along at a faster pace but it is going to be a long range a lot of damage done by Hurricane Fran. Six billion dollars worth of damage done and in those 58 counties and it will take years. We've already spent in state and federal dollars and we're close to big in dollars and like I said we're only about 60 percent finished with stone is the majority of what needs to repaired is still in that coastal area because the triangle looks pretty well recovered at this point. The triangle is pretty well in this area pretty well recovered but you still see a lot of blue tarps if you fly in a helicopter. OK well you see a lot of trees down. That's part of it's going to take a long time for to come back. There's a lot of damage to carbon in roads that's ongoing right now. But you get into the coastal areas a totally different situation where you're rebuilding from the ground homes or lost or something like 400 homes lost from coastal and inland. They had to be replaced and you berms as I mentioned earlier you do have you've lost on the

roads the bridge system alone tops will be long project to be done in the future. Well Mr. Cameron I want to thank you for your time here this evening and maybe you can come back periodically and give us an update on our situation. Hopefully we won't have to have you here after another storm though I would love to. Thank you sir. Tonight we take you to a very special place celebrating its 1 100th anniversary and as producer Patti Meredith tells us in this story once you arrive at this mountain retreat it won't take you long to understand why some visitors talk about montri

magic. What began as a place where people could live in peace and harmony with nature and each other hasn't really changed much in the past 100 years. The land was sold to a Mr Collins from Connecticut he was a Congregational minister. He and a man from Nashville liked it so much when they saw this that Mr. Collins went back got together a number of his friends all of whom except one were northerners. There was one Southern Presbyterian in the group and they decided to buy the cove and to form a retreat for all Christian workers. The first Christian assembly of what was then called the Mountain Retreat Association was held in July 1897 for 10 days. Some say 400 people. Others claim the number was closer to 40. Camped in makeshift tents met and worship together. The

association was not only interested in finding a meeting place they wanted to form a model Christian community. And after that first assembly people did settle here. Nearly all of those first pioneers were from New England. Back in 1899 what is now known as the Montreux post office served as the church the school and as an auditorium for summer conferences by 19 0 6 2 conferences were held each summer and the mountain retreat associations reputation as a spiritual place was growing but tough financial times forced the organization to change hands and it became part of the Presbyterian Church. The name on treat was coined in 1947 a combination of mountain and retreat and the town was incorporated in 1967. We grew up up there playing in the creek fishin in a creek and hiking and stuff it was very How kind of people gathered here and parents and grandparents wanted that because then we would marry

aliens from the normal west and south and so I met my wife here. Her father was a food preacher and so it's not like going to church college you kind of hope your kids are going marry our kind of people. William Kennedy visited mom treat each year as a child and like many families with deep roots in the mountain soil they brought their own family back each summer and retired in neighboring Black Mountain. As a retired minister he also has seen the influence montri can have on church business. Some 30000 people a year come in here for a meeting for conferences and the programming has always represented the concerns of the larger church and that mean that the controversy of things that come in here through that connection and the local community doesn't necessarily want all of that controversy. And so as one of its presidents wrote that montre represents both the struggles and the glories of the Presbyterian Church.

And it's that tension that I think makes it a special place. Today lowlanders passed through this stone entrance from all 50 states and many foreign countries to attend the over 35 conferences held each year. Whether they come with their church group with their family or alone all find the rest relaxation and spiritual renewal that was the original hope of John Collins. A hundred years ago. And it's difficult to find anyone who was here for the first time. When I came to Monterey just the child my family brought me here and it was such a wonderful experience and such great memories I wanted my children to have that experience 10 banners commemorating mom treats 1 100th anniversary. Remind folks here for the worship and music conference that there is a particular reason to celebrate in our logo. You see the design the outline of the world the entire globe. And then you see points of light almost reaching out many colors to take that almost as a crown. Many points taking that witness out into the world to share with

everyone with. With Well young voices resonate from the 75 year old walls of Anderson auditorium resource Dr. Howard Rice from the San Francisco Theological Seminary leads a class and what it means to practice the presence of God in the 20th century. But whether you're in a classroom or in a canoe it's the energy of the people you meet here combined with the natural beauty and the clean mountain air that fills you with a fresh sense of purpose and with the renewed strength to go back to your world and try again. Here on the last night of this conference all gathered in Anderson auditorium full roll final concert and it is true that history does repeat

itself. These children played along the banks of like Susan and explored the nature trails. We'll be back another day with children of their own. Continuing the tradition and community that is. Aside from the conference center Montrouge is also home to Montreux college a four year liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. That's our program for tonight thanks for sharing part of your evening with us. We help you make plans to be with us again tomorrow night when you'll meet a professor of pathology who has done extensive research in the field of hypertension. Also tomorrow we'll explore a department of transportation program designed to protect the environment and will bring you to a celebration of North Carolina's Scottish heritage when we head to the Highland Games. In the meantime enjoy your evening. We'll see you back here tomorrow. Good night everyone.