Re: Re: RE: Re: Source of cancer data

[BERNARD L COHEN <blc+@PITT.EDU>]

On Wed, 19 Dec 2001, John Williams wrote:



> Dr. Cohen,

>

> Yes, the underlying lung cancer incidence data Smith, Field and Lynch

> (in their Forum article about your work) substituted in with the rest

> of your data is more appropriate and scientifically defensible then

> the mortality data you used.  I think it is up to you to explain

> numerically why they are incorrect.  They used your data and you have

> access to the SEER data they used.  They have already stated their

> case.  You always want others to explain numerically why your

> findings are wrong, then please explain numerically why they are

> wrong.



	--I didn't say they were wrong. I present analyses and give

results, as do they. I don't know what the slope of the regression of lung

cancer on radon is for Iowa. Actually, the differences between their

results and mine can probably be explained by different time periods and

statistical considerations. I never claimed that my analysis for Iowa

proved anything; results for different states vary widely because of

statistical fluctuations. It is only when one averages results for all

states that a meaningful result is obtained. But I believe the result is

much more meaningful when all data for the U.S. are combined and subject

to the treatments I have given them.

	You want me to propose explanations for why the analysis of Field

et al for Iowa does not agree with my result for the U.S. Here is why?

	-Until they give numerical results, I am not sure that there is

disagreement within statistics

	-They give no treatment of confounding factors. My study considers

over 500 confounding factors. If you want specific suggestions, I will be

glad to provide them. But you can just look at the list of potential

confounding factors that I considered.











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