CANCER RESEARCH

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 174, 20 April 1937, Page 11

CANCER RESEARCH

Australian Conference GOOD PROGRESS MADE After taking part in the eighth Australian Cancer Conference, Dr. E. F. D’Ath, Professor of Pathology at the University of Otago, returned to New Zealand in the Awatea, which arrived at Wellington yesterday from Sydney. He was accompanied by Dr. P. Clennell Fenwick, head of the radium department at the Christchurch Public Hospital. Dr. D’Ath said the conference was largely devoted to a discussion of the details and results of cancer treatment, and he felt sure the exchange of ideas would prove a great stimulus to those engaged in cancer research. An opening address was read to the conference from the Minister of Health, who was absent through illness. The Minister stressed the value of conferences for those engaged in the fight, against cancer. The conference opened on the day on which the appeal in the State of Victoria for £160,000 for the treatment of cancer was launched, said Dr. D’Ath. The Federal Government had already constituted a National Health and Research Council, and approval had been given for a grant of £30,000 for medical research, some of which would be devoted to special research into cancer. Dr. Holmes, the senior medical officer of the Commonwealth Department of Health, presented a review of the developments in cancer control in Australia during the past year. His report disclosed a definite increase in cancer mortality. On analysing this increase, however, it was found that it was Confined to the ages above 65 years. Below this age mortality had fallen slightly. An explanation for the increase in the older age group was that many deaths formerly certified as due to senility were now classified under the correct heading of cancer. At this conference special attention was directed to cancer of the skin, and a review of the results of treatment in 10,000 cases was presented by Dr. Holmes. A number of reports by research workers was discussed, and it was evident that an immense amount of careful work was being done. ' Dr. D’Ath said there was no doubt that Australia was making rapid headway in the medical world and in hospital organisation. Recently an Institute was founded in Sydney for general medical research. The institute cqst about £lOO,OOO, which was given by a Japanese merchant in Sydney.