Connection between Huntersville, Auburn University eye cancer cases?

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — Researchers are looking into any connections between cases of a rare eye cancer in Huntersville and Auburn University, according to a report from The Birmingham News.

The outlet reported three young women developed tumors after living there between 1988 and 1993. The women lived in adjacent dorms during that time frame.

Channel 9 has investigated a cluster of ocular melanoma cases in Huntersville. Many of those cases affected young women.

Past coverage of eye cancer cluster in Huntersville: 

• 9 Investigates: Mystery shrouds possible eye cancer cluster in Huntersville
• State to look into possible Huntersville eye cancer cluster after Channel 9 reports
• Officials: No definitive cause in Huntersville eye cancer cluster
• Huntersville leaders asking for new steps in possible eye cancer cluster
• Doctors offer free exams for former Hopewell students worried on eye cancer
• Environmental testing possible at school after eye cancer cluster
• Testing firm hopes to get to bottom of Huntersville eye cancer cluster
• Report finds no hazards at school in center of eye cancer cluster
• Testing for eye cancer cluster to continue at Hopewell HS, officials say
• Rare eye cancer cases grow to 17 in Huntersville

The number of rare eye cancer cases connected to a cluster in Huntersville jumped to 17 in June, which is up five from when Channel 9 first started reporting on the cases.

Doctors believe the people who have the disease lived or worked in a 15-mile radius of each other.

[IMAGES: Victims in Huntersville with eye cancer]

Kenny Colbert, who lost his daughter Kenan to the rare cancer, said it's unfortunate to see more cases but it could be beneficial for research.

"It is exciting that maybe the researchers can determine something from Auburn that can relate to Huntersville," Colbert said.

Cox Media Group