Learn From The Dogs
East Hampton
March 24, 1998

To The Editor:

I have just read another annoying letter complaining about dogs on the beach. Well, it's about time that someone complained about the humans who are destroying the beaches. In fact, I'll take a dog any day.

What is destroying Maidstone Park and beach? Do dogs shoot out the street lights or throw pizza boxes all over? Was it a dog that opened the car door and emptied the cigarette ashtray on the ground in the parking lot? Was it dogs that drove all over the baseball field and caused the deep ruts in the grass?

Maybe it was a pack of dogs that tore out the sinks in the bathroom. Don't forget all the broken beer bottles. How about the picnic table that was pulled out from under the pavilion? Or the signs that were torn out of the ground and thrown all over.

Before we condemn all the dogs in town for being health hazards, maybe we should take a second look at the humans. I think that many humans could learn from the dogs.

Sincerely,

CATHY WALCOTT and SKEETER

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No Cause For Alarm?
Springs
March 25, 1998

Dear Editor,

I am writing this letter in response to the article regarding cancer rates that appeared on the front page of The Star on March 19. I was both surprised and dismayed at the tone of the piece.

The headlines under "South Fork Considers Cancer" seemed intended to downplay the issue. "Physician Says No Hodgkin's Hazard" seemed a particularly poor choice unless Dr. Schonfeld has conducted extensive research that I am not aware of. She is quoted in the article as saying "There is no cause for alarm," that the number of cases is "not statistically significant," and, finally, "I do not feel we have a health hazard."

Many East Hampton residents are rightfully concerned by the high incidence of cancer, especially among young people. I don't know what information Dr. Schonfeld is basing her conclusions on, but there are quite more than a handful.

My brother is currently undergoing treatment for Hodgkin's disease. In the article, the impression is given that 27 years ago there were two local cases and that there have been "less than a handful" over the last six years. This is false and misleading. There were other cases in that time, several in 1984.

There are at least four East Hampton graduates undergoing treatment for the disease right now. The article makes it seem that there have been only five in the last 27 years. Let's find out exactly how many there have been. Since Hodgkin's disease is a rare lymphoma, making up only 15 percent of all lymphomas, the actual statistics should certainly be determined and examined by qualified medical researchers.

The great concern locally should also be the high incidence of cancer in general. Three of the cases alluded to in this piece are young people who grew up in the same neighborhood in the village and attended East Hampton schools together.

There are at least four others who attended East Hampton High School but lived elsewhere in the town. Out of these seven, four were involved in the wrestling program at the same time. These are facts that should be examined. We are all aware of the high incidence of breast cancer here.

Perhaps our agricultural past is contributing to the growth of all cancers out here. Perhaps the location of the high school, surrounded by farmland, is a factor. I hope not, but I believe we had better find out.

It is noted in the article that Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr. has agreed to ask the State Health Department to conduct a study on Hodgkin's disease on the East End. I think that East Hampton residents should also ask that the study include an examination of the incidence in East Hampton specifically.

Maybe our town has a higher percentage of cases and we need to find out why. The incidence of all cancer in East Hampton should be determined. There should be widespread support for the statewide cancer mapping system, mentioned in the article, which is proposed in this year's state budget.

We should all be interested in getting the facts. I don't think anyone is yet in a position to disregard the possibility of a health hazard. Many residents are, and should be, alarmed. To state, without proper supporting evidence, that "there is no cause for alarm" is irresponsible, especially when the person quoted is a physician whose opinion could be confused with scientific fact.

If the article had been more carefully researched, we may have been presented with a clear picture of the need for aggressive research. Instead, we are left with what may be a false sense of security.

Sincerely,

GABRIELLE HAMMER

It was not The Star's intention to in any way minimize the seriousness or the incidence of Hodgkin's disease. As the following letter, and a story in today's Star report, further study is being considered. Ed.

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No Hazard East Hampton
March 27, 1998

To The Editor:

"Physician Says No Hodgkin's Hazard." The East Hampton Star article had me angry before I even got past the title. By the end of the article, I was livid.

Many portions of the article almost made Hodgkin's appear to be a benign type of disease - for example: the incredibly high cure rates (90 percent) noted by two of the pediatricians in the article (a statement not completely accurate for all Hodgkin's patients).

Also, much lower death rates than in the past, and, lastly, not one single mention of a percentage of possible relapse. (It can happen in Hodgkin's disease just like any other form of cancer.) Had I not known otherwise, I may have unwisely believed that this disease was not as potentially dangerous as any other form of cancer. I would have been wrong.

Unfortunately, many Hodgkin's patients are taught that this is the best "type" of cancer to have. This may be true; however, it certainly comes with no lifetime guarantees.

I believe the only doctor who gave realistic percentages for cure rates was oncologist Dr. Stefan Madajwicz (70 percent to 90 percent, depending upon stage of disease). Oddly, the only oncologist contacted made no comment concerning the possibility of a "Hodgkin's hazard" on the South Fork. Perhaps he did not feel comfortable making such a judgment call in this situation.

It is unclear to me why a reporter would seek out a pediatrician to supply answers concerning the field of oncology. Especially when it comes down to determining the safety, or lack thereof, of an entire community. I, for one, am not confident in her answers.

Most of my outrage is the direct result of several quotes from pediatrician Dr. Schonfeld. Should our area be considered a "hot spot" or "cluster" for Hodgkin's disease? Maybe not; however, to suggest that "there is no cause for alarm" is the equivalent of burying our heads in the sand and ignoring that this may be a potential problem.

Dr. Schonfeld's apparent assumption that this is just a coincidence is unacceptable - how far must this disease progress before it's considered a serious threat? I assure you, it's serious to those whose lives it has touched.

Dr. Schonfeld continues, stating, "The number of Hodgkin's disease patients receiving treatment for the same type of cancer - not even a handful over the past six years - was not statistically significant."

This is the most inaccurate and misleading statement in the entire article. It clearly shows Dr. Schonfeld's complete lack of knowledge concerning the true number of Hodgkin's disease patients in our area.

A minimum of eight patients have been diagnosed in the past four years. How can Dr. Schonfeld possibly reassure a community that there is "no hazard" when she is obviously unaware of how many patients there actually are?

Lastly, I couldn't help but feel that her final comment must have been especially painful to those who have to live through this disease - "Two cases one way or the other do not mean that much." A truly regrettable statement. I believe it speaks for itself.

On a much more positive note, my hat is off to Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr. Mr. Thiele is doing all that he possibly can to investigate this situation, rather than shrugging it off as a matter of little or no consequence. Thank you, Mr. Thiele, for all your efforts. I would also like to applaud the heroic attitudes of Hodgkin's patients currently receiving treatment - the power of positive thinking is truly amazing.

In conclusion, who do I think I am, writing such an opinionated letter? A doctor, perhaps? No, unfortunately, I have a much closer relationship with Hodgkin's disease. I am a patient, diagnosed four years ago. I was considered one of those "lucky" patients and was given a 70-percent chance of recovery.

You can imagine my surprise when I relapsed - my 70-percent chance of recovery had translated into 15 months of cancer-free health. Hodgkin's disease is still cancer, no matter how "lucky" a cancer it may be. So the next time you hear "70-90 percent cure rate," ask yourself this simple question: If I were betting with my life, would these odds be good enough?

GINNETTE DOMBI
One-and-one-half-year Hodgkin's Disease Relapse Survivor

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