The town of Sayreville has asked the state to investigate the high number of area cancer cases.

Many residents say they either know someone with cancer or they themselves have been diagnosed with the disease.

?My husband died from cancer,? resident Marilyn Duffy said. ?The woman that lived across the street from me died from cancer.?

The cases, and a diagnosis of her own, prompted former resident Cheryl Hardt to take action. ?I had cancer myself back in August. I had ovarian cancer and it just prompted me to start asking around my neighborhood.?

Hardt started a cancer registry and asked anyone diagnosed with the illness to document it with her. So far, she has logged 115 names, which she presented to a local congressman.

Sayreville Mayor Kennedy O?Brien said he learned of the high cancer rate three weeks ago. He said he contacted the state health department, which must first determine whether there is a cancer cluster. If there is a cluster in Sayreville, an investigation into possible environmental causes will be launched.

O?Brien said if the state decides not to investigate, the town will continue its own investigation.

There have been two town hall meetings about the issue. The next one is scheduled for Monday, June 11.