Day 037 - 14 Oct 94 - Page 59
1
2 Q. In the right-hand column the first complete paragraph
3 begins: "The absence of". Are you with me?
4 A. Yes.
5
6 Q. "The absence of a positive association between dietary fat
7 and breast cancer in this same cohort has been questioned
8 because of possibly inadequate variation in fat intake in
9 the study population and imperfect measurement of fat
10 intake. The present analysis indicates that the variation
11 in fat intake in this population and its measurement, are
12 sufficient to detect important associations with disease.
13 With six years of follow-up, confidence intervals do not
14 overlap for breast and colon cancer among women in the
15 highest quintile of animal-fat intake. Thus, the
16 association between the intake of animal fat and the risk
17 of colon cancer and the absence of a positive association
18 between dietary fat and the incidence of breast cancer in
19 this cohort add to evidence that breast and colon cancers
20 have different relations to fat intake."
21
22 Mr. Cox, there may be an explanation; if there is, I would
23 like you to give it to us. You cite this report in your
24 book in support of the proposition that high-fat intake is
25 associated with colon cancer. You give it no attention in
26 the section which makes the same assertion in relation to
27 breast cancer. Why not?
28 A. Sorry, can you just tell me what your criticism is
29 here, please?
30
31 Q. My criticism is this ----
32 A. Are you saying that I have inaccurately reported
33 this?
34
35 Q. Yes, I am saying it in a sense.
36
37 MR. MORRIS: He did say he may only have mentioned the
38 abstract.
39
40 MR. RAMPTON: My Lord, I do believe Mr. Cox, having listened to
41 him for the best part of the day, is capable of speaking
42 for himself.
43
44 MS. STEEL: He did do though.
45
46 MR. JUSTICE BELL: You keep quiet while the cross-examination
47 proceeds.
48
49 THE WITNESS: Sorry.
50
51 MR. RAMPTON: I am willing to sit down if there is a legitimate
52 objection.
53 A. There is some criticism being aimed at me here.
54 Perhaps it is my fault. I do not actually understand what
55 you are trying to criticise me for. I do not understand
56 the context in which this is made.
57
58 Q. We will come to it in a moment.
59 A. So -----
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