Women in French Polynesia Seek Compensation for Cancer from Nuclear Testing

In a poignant reflection on the health impacts of nuclear testing in French Polynesia, Hinamoeura Cross, whose family has been affected by various cancers, is raising awareness about the long-term consequences of these tests. Her grandmother and aunt both battled thyroid cancer, and Cross herself was diagnosed with chronic leukemia in 2018. This diagnosis coincided with a news report about former French Polynesian President Oscar Temaru's complaint to the International Criminal Court, alleging crimes against humanity due to the fallout from decades of nuclear testing by France. Temaru's complaint highlighted the serious health repercussions stemming from radioactive fallout, which he argued had affected the local population. A 2000 research paper in *Cancer Causes & Control* noted that while high thyroid cancer rates could not be solely attributed to radioiodine fallout, further surveillance was necessary to assess the risks for those born near the Moruroa testing site. Cross emphasized the need for recognition of the health risks, particularly for women, who may face increased vulnerability during pregnancy. In 2021, French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged the problematic nature of the nuclear tests but stopped short of issuing a formal apology. Cross has been fighting for compensation for herself and her late mother, navigating a challenging legal landscape against the French state. She argues that the burden of healthcare costs for radiation-induced diseases should not fall on the local health system but rather on France, which she believes owes a debt to the people of French Polynesia. Cross's advocacy extends to ensuring that all individuals diagnosed with radiation-related illnesses receive automatic compensation, reflecting a broader call for accountability and recognition of the health crisis stemming from nuclear testing in the region.