LINK WITH CANCER

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30092, 28 March 1963, Page 17

LINK WITH CANCER

Mosquitoes In Uganda (N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND. March 27. British scientists had found a link between a form of cancer and viruses carried by certain African mosquitoes, the secretary of the British Medical Research Council, Sir Harold Himsworth, said in Auckland today. “At present, it's no more than a due,” he said on his arrival at Whenuapai, “but it’s one of the most exciting developments in modern medicine.” Scientists! had known for years that viruses could cause certain types of cancer in fowls and rabbits, but nothing had been found connecting human cancer with viruses, he said. However, a scientist working in Uganda had noticed that certain types of cancer had a restricted geographical distribution. Further research showed that the areas in which the cancers occurred were those in which certain mosquitoes, known to carry the virus of yellow fever, were found. "That is not to say, of course, that there is any connexion between the yellow fever virus and these cancers,” he said. “But there is something there that is well worth investigation.” Sir Harold Himsworth, chief administrator of the research council, which receives more than £6 million each year in British Government grants, aS well as private funds, is visiting New Zealand as guest of the New Zealand Medical Research Council. "Our function is very similar to that of your research council," he said. “Research is entirely independent of the Ministry of Health, and deliberately so. We believe this gives more freedom.” While he is in New Zealand he will visit research centres and talk to scientists and administrators to get a picture of medical research throughout the country.