FIGHTING CANCER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 58, 9 March 1932, Page 5

FIGHTING CANCER.

PUBLIC SUPPORT NEEDED.

MEDICAL MEN'S APPEAL.

ADDRESS BY ENGLISH VISITOR.

An earnest appeal to the public of Auckland to support by every possible means the British Empire Cancer Campaign was made last evening by eminent medical men. The meeting, which was held in the University College Hall, was addressed by Mr. C. H. Fagge, vicepresident of the Royal College of Surgeons, England. Mr. Kennth Mackenzie, of Auckland, Dr. J. S. Elliott, of Wellington, chairman of the New Zealand branch, and Professor Gordon Bell, professor of surgery at the Otago University Medical School, who explained a series of cinematograph films, which showed the growth of normal and malignant cells, and the effect' upon the tissues of the application of radium. "I was asked to be the bearer of an expression of good will from the parent body, and to congratulate New Zealand on the progress already made in the direction of the study of cancer," said Mr. Fagge. Ho referred to the Duke of York's interest in the campaign, and mentioned that already some £05,000 had been raised in the Dominion. If that sum could be made up to £100,000, then the work already begun could be carried out without encumbrance. Some Popular Misconceptions. Speaking generally of cancer Mr. Faggo said there seemed to be a misconception in people's minds that it was dishonourable or disgraceful for a person to have cancer. So many people attempted to conceal the fact that their relatives had died or suffered from cancer. There was nothing to be ashamed of, so why conceal it? All the knowledge about cancer should be disseminated ae widely as possible. One of the greatest difficulties in England—and he had no doubt the same remark applied to New Zealand—was to dispel the idea that any disease which was not painful could not be cancer. He insisted that cancer in its early stages was not painful. It was not associated only with old age, although it was true that it was more often associated with advanced years. It did eometimes affect younger people, and in its more malignant forms. He would not say that cancer was hereditary, and until science had proved that it was handed down the opinion must stand that it was so.

Mr. Fagge said that he was afraid l he had not brought anything of a very helpful nature from the other side of the world. The methods of dealing with cancer were not any better over there than they were here. He did not think that they could, for many years, hope to arrive at anything approaching a cure until more was known of the cause of cancer. There was a great need of research, and it was for that reason he asked for public co-operation and support. More knowledge was needed, and it was only through the public that it would be possible for that knowledge to be obtained.

Each one could do something to help. If people would only help somebody who was Buffering from something they did not understand to go to their doctor, something would have been done to forward the work of the British Empire campaign.

New Zealand's Part. Professor Bell, after explaining the films in detail, made a personal appeal on behalf of the New Zealand section of tie Cancer Campaign Fund. He eaid by contributing to the Auckland cancer fund the people of this city were first helping themselves and, secondly, their felbw beings.

Dr. J. S. Elliott likened the campaign to an army in war-time. All sections of the community must be mobilised if the disease was to be defeated. The people must come to the help of doctors, scientists and nurses. Cancer was the greatest problem before medical science to-day, because it robbed' the people of a longer life. Take away or defeat cancer and the last great outpost of mortal disease that was known to the medical profession to-day would be captured. The British Empire was the one great power in the world which from its history was more likely to succeed than any other nation.

Incidentally Mr. /Elliott said £13,000 had been raised for cancer research in Wellington, £21,000 in Ghristchurch, and £25,000 in Dunedin, while Auckland had raised the email eum of £5000. Wellington possessed 750 millegrams of radium,' Christchurch 659, and Dunedin 875. The amount in Auckland was 350 millegrams. "If you will not or cannot help yourselves then we cannot help you," eaid i'ir. Elliott in conclusion.