PREVENTION OF SPREAD OF CANCER

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 46, 22 February 1917, Page 2

PREVENTION OF SPREAD OF CANCER

CIRCULAR PROM INSPECTORGENERAL OF HOSPITALS.

To the various Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards of the Dominion, the In-spector-General of Hospitals (Dr VaUntine) has issued the following circular letter:— :

"I have the honour, by direction of the Hon. the Minister of, Public Health, to invite the co-operation of your board with the Department with "a view to disseminate- knowledge as to the \>est means of preventing the spread of cancer in the Dominion.

"According to last year's statistics, no less than 900 deaths were recorded from this disease, tho highest yet recorded in the Dominion. Though the increase of this disease may be more apparent than real, there is no doubt there is a need •for ■ co-operation of the Hospital Board's of the Dominion with the medical pro-, fession and the Department, with a view to stem tho ever-increasing .mortality.:; It is, therefore, necessary to'draw theattention of the public, as is the casa with other forms of disease which are to. some extent, preventable, to the fact that the hospitals of the Dominion and the out-patients departments attached thereto are ever open to the public for the pur-\ pose of consultation and advice as well, as for treatment. Many a case ot this teruible disease couldhave been prevent-' ed had it but been taken in time, and if. the public will only take advantage of the excellent institutions which are now available in all parts of the Dominion' for the above purpose, it may be possible' to bring about a diminution in the death rate from cancer and other diseases which are more or less preventable... „,

"In. addition to the dissemination of: the literature prepared by the Depart--in en t in conjunction with the British Medical Association, I trust every mem.' ber of i your board will, do all that liesin his power to draw the attention of the' public to the fact that the doors of our institutions are ever open for consultation and advice, and, as already indicated, for treatment; and to the fact that; no person need be deterred py lack of means from seeking the advantages of the institutions referred to. Those who are not in a position to pay the ordinaryfees will receive free advice and' treat-: ment.

"Your board might also consider the appointment of suitable men to givo lectures on this subject in your district '' A pamphlet entitled "Cancer:' Is it Curable?" accompanies the circular. ,