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Ladera Ranch families concerned after several children diagnosed with rare cancer
By Hetty Chang at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC)
· July 8, 2026
· 3 min read
Families in Ladera Ranch say they want answers as to why several children in their one community have all been diagnosed with the same rare cancer.
Megan Matteson says her son Brody was just 17 years old when he passed away from Ewing sarcoma.
“He was an outdoor kid. There was a time to be ...
Key takeaway Megan Matteson says her son Brody was just 17 years old when he passed away from Ewing sarcoma.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The cluster of Ewing sarcoma cases in Ladera Ranch raises concerns about environmental factors that may be contributing to the rare cancer. Families are particularly interested in the use of pesticides in their community, given some research suggesting a potential link. As they push for a safer alternative, the homeowners association will face pressure to balance pest control needs with health concerns. The fact that Orange County health officials have agreed to conduct another review of the cancer data suggests that they are taking the community's concerns seriously. This review will be crucial in determining whether the cases are merely a coincidence or if there is a larger issue at play. The outcome of this review will likely have significant implications for Ladera Ranch and potentially other communities in the region, where pesticide use is common.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Families in Ladera Ranch say they want answers as to why several children in their one community have all been diagnosed with the same rare cancer.
Megan Matteson says her son Brody was just 17 years old when he passed away from Ewing sarcoma.
“He was an outdoor kid. There was a time to be ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Hetty Chang at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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