Re: Basic caution about cancer clusters

[Norman & Karen Cohen <norco@bellatlantic.net>]

Hi Vincent,

Just a few comments

Vincent King wrote:

>      Norm,
>
>      A word of caution on reading too much into cancer 'clusters'.  This
>      is an area that is routinely abused to 'prove' whatever effect one
>      is looking for, and it always works.  Here's why:
>
>      Let's use an example you mentioned, breast cancer rates around
>      nuclear power plants. Assume for a moment that there is absolutely
>      no connection between the two (I know RADSAFERs are notoriously
>      shy, but you've probably detected by now that this opinion is held
>      by many on the list).
> ----- If this is shy, hate to see what not-shy looks like ! ------

>
>      Find the average breast cancer rate; now, how many of ALL the NPP
>      sites are above the average?  By definition, 50%.  (As obvious as
>      this is, it would not surprise me at all to see a reporter flash
>      this as an 'alarming' headline, like the old joke about how 50% of
> -------- But its my understanding that the majority of NPP's ARE in the
> above average zones, per Gould's book  The statement was something like
> breast cancer rates in nuclear counties (100 miles or closer to a nuke
> plant) are higher than breast cancer rates in non-nuclear counties. So
> what am I not getting here?------

>
>
>      By the way, I'll bet Karen wishes she could use the computer once
>      in a while ;)
> ------ At least I'm not our drinking and partying! ;) ---------

norm

>

>
>      Have a good day,
>
>      Vincent King
>      vincent.king@doegjpo.com
>
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