----- Original Message ----- From: "Jordan S. Dill" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > I ran across a site (The Mare's Nest) yesterday that states that > Berners are liable to a high incidence of cancer (30% or so, as I > recollect).
That would be my web site, actually. And as I recall, without checking, I think I said "estimates were as high as 30%" and I based that on conversations with breeders, the death stats provided by the Berner health survey, and also the incidents rate on the health survey. > You may remember that Hesse and I just fought our way through a > bout w/cancer and when I asked about the why of this (bad luck, genetics, > whatever) there seemed to be a consensus that Berner's were no more liable > to cancer than any other breed. You did that concensus without including my opinion. As someone who has Berners, Newfs, and Pyrs in my life, I can tell you cancer as a health issues comes up on the Berner list more frequently than any of my other lists. Malignant Hisitosis is a very rare cancer in general, but the most common cancer of all in Berners. I think this can *only* be explained by genetics. Just like in people, some types of cancer are genetic and some are not. > So, how do I balance the conflicting advice? You will never find anything past extremely simple facts where everyone agrees. You balance it by doing your own research, observing the world around you, and developing a coherent belief system based on your experience and the various evidences of others. Eileen Morgan The Mare's Nest http://www.enter.net/~edlehman --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.426 / Virus Database: 239 - Release Date: 12/2/2002
