ALLEGED CURES FOR CANCER

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 129, 24 February 1939, Page 10

ALLEGED CURES FOR CANCER

Public Should Be Warned MEDICAL PROFESSION’S ATTITUDE Dominion Special Service. CHRISTCHURCH, February 23. Suggesting that much of the publicity given to reports of alleged cures of cancer might be a grave disservice to the public, the president of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association. Mr. P. Stanley Foster, stated it was high time “warning should be given to the public against this worst of quackeries.” He made this comment at a reception to members of the branch who are attending its biennial conference. “We have not discovered the cause of cancer, though a cablegram from America even now announces the discovery of a germ which may be the cause of this dread disease,” said Mr. Foster. “We are again, I think, rightly conservative in accepting these announcements. We know such claims will be fully investigated before being accept or, as often happens, discarded. “The cancer problem has loomed largely before the public in the last few months. It should be realised that the medical profession throughout the world is seeking cause and cure with the greatest diligence. No reasonable claim for cure is allowed to pass without thorough investigation and trial. “Unfortunately, it is true that many claims are published prematurely, and later discredited,” continued Mr. Foster. “It is true, too, that by hard and bitter experience, we have become sceptical of every so-called cure, and while we wish to try anything that will benefit sufferers, we are equally anxious to safeguard our patients from false hopes and claims. “I would like the public to believe what. I sincerely believe to be true — that the medical profession as. a whole is their best friend and guide in this serious trouble.” Mr. Foster added that New Zealand was fortunate in that the best and most modern treatment known for cancer was available for everyone—certainly in all the main centres,' and even in ‘’some of the minor hospitals. Excellent advice was available in the consultation clinics —work that had been greatly stimulated by the New Zealand branch of the Cancer Campaign Society. Many cases were being cured annually and others greatly alleviated.