CANCER SCOURGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 257, 30 October 1929, Page 7

CANCER SCOURGE.

SURGEON'S HOPES. Victory Over Disease Getting Nearer. RADIUM CURE PRAISED. (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph-Copyright) LONDON, October 29. The president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, Lord Moynihan, speaking at Burnley, said victory over cancer was getting nearer and nearer every year. The public ought to realise that when cancer was a local disease, and when surgeons could get at it, it was always curable. Certain forms of cancer were not accessible, but when an operation was performed in time a cure could be effected in every case. Many cases of cancer of the tongue, mouth, or breast could be successfully treated with radium, and it far surpassed the best a surgeon could show. But unless theie was the most expert supervision over radium, more harm than good could be done.

Notwithstanding these facts, whereas general mortality had been reduced by 30 per cent in 20 years cancer mortality had increased 20 per cent. One person in seven over the age of 30 died of cancer. In its attack on the disease surgery had reached its limit. Therefore it was necessary that something more should be done.

Sir William Avbutlmot Lane, consulting surgeon to Guy's Hospital, speaking at Limehouse, said the death rate from cancer was highest in towns where the people were wealthy. Working people did not die of cancer in the same proportion as the rich.