THE results of an investigation by public health officials, published yesterday, finally ruled out any possibility of a cancer cluster among young adults in West Cornwall.

Six young adults in the Helston area had contracted a form of bone cancer from 1998 to 2002 sparking concern among parents and local health services.

But the inquiry has now found that there were actually fewer cases of cancer than originally thought.

The investigation was carried out by the Bristol-based South West Cancer Intelligence Service (SWCIS) into reports of cases of osteosarcoma, which occurs mainly in adolescence, when bones are growing fastest.

Dr Julia Verne concluded: 'It is highly unlikely there are common environmental factors linking the cases.

'I understand people may feel four cases in five years is a high rate for a rare bone cancer.

'But short-term increases in rates of specific cancers are not uncommon.'

But Dr Verne said that incidences of the disease would continue to be monitored.

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