NYTimes.com Article: State to Assist a L.I. Study of Pet Cancers

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State to Assist a L.I. Study of Pet Cancers

June 28, 2002

By THE NEW YORK TIMES

MINEOLA, N.Y., June 27 - For years, anecdotal evidence has

suggested that Long Island has an unusually high rate of

cancer. Now, the state has allocated money to find out

whether the same holds true for Long Islanders' pets.

In an unusual study, researchers will monitor pet cancer

rates in a part of Long Island where human cancer is

notably widespread, and in another region in the state

where cancer is less common. Researchers have not yet

selected the two areas.

Some experts have suggested that Long Island's high cancer

rates may stem from the presence of certain ethnic groups

that have high cancer rates, like Jews of Eastern European

descent. But if human and pet cancer rates are both found

to be high in the same geographical areas, the finding

would lend credence to the belief that environmental

factors - pesticides or landfills, for example - could be

contributing to disease.

Researchers could then begin to identify what those factors

might be, said Dr. Rodney L. Page, director of the

comparative cancer program at the College of Veterinary

Medicine at Cornell, who will lead the study.

" Importantly, pets do not engage in risky lifestyles or

behavior such as smoking or excessive drinking that

obviously influence cancer development in their

caregivers, " Dr. Page noted in a research proposal.

At a news conference today, State Senator A. L.

Balboni announced that the state had allocated $20,000 for

the first year of the study.

nne G. Altmann, the Nassau County legislator who

approached the senator to seek state funds, said the two of

them would also seek federal money.

She said it was only logical to study cancer rates in Long

Island pets, which share their owners' environment. " We

know that something is wrong, " she said as her mixed-breed

puppy, Teddy, panted nearby.

The money will be used to set up a registry to track and

map cancer cases in dogs and cats.

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/28/nyregion/28PETS.html?ex=1026367102 & ei=1 & en=7d6\

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