Cancer Committee Reports
(As submitted to the PWDCA Board)

CANCER COMMITTEE REPORT TO PWDCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PWDCA Cancer Page Update:

The Committee has updated the Cancer page for the PWDCA website and respectfully requests that the Board approve this update. The update contains information on current research, funding and additional links for information, research, etc. Board Comments and/or additions are welcomed.

Cancer Questionnaire Update:

The Committee has also updated the Cancer Questionnaire form and respectfully requests that the Board approve this update as a Link on the PWDCA Cancer Website page.

Database:

The database has previously been maintained on Lotus Approach software. It has been converted to Microsoft Excel and it is in the process of being updated. The database contains information on 162 Portuguese water dogs. Bev Ironside will be responsible for entering new data as it becomes available. As the database is updated, Bev will copy the data to disk and also email a copy to Caren Murray to be certain that backup of data is maintained.

Research:

Caren Murray is the primary contact with researchers and was responsible for the recent article in the Courier by Jaime Modiano, VMD, PhD.

Requests/Wish List:

As the collection and dissemination of data is important to our knowledge of health issues affecting portuguese water dogs, we are requesting that the PWDCA, when participating in health studies or research, request that the researcher provide certain data to the PWDCA Committees as the Committees deem necessary while at the same time maintaining the confidentially of the studies.

Further, that the PWDCA, prior to the granting of funds for research, query the Committee involved with the health issue being researched to determine if there is a need for particular information relative to the research being done and to obtain concurrence from the Committee that the grant request is appropriate relative to other grants that may be under review.

We are also requesting that the Board look into the possibility that the Cancer Questionnaire Form be able to be completed on-line similar to the Health Survey Form that was completed last year. We are also requesting that the completed form then be able to be emailed directly to the committee instead of having to print and fax or mail the form as is now required.

Respectfully submitted,
Beverly Ironside