RADIUM FOR CANCER

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 73, 24 September 1923, Page 6

RADIUM FOR CANCER

The rapid growth of cancer in recent years has lately been much discussed, and it is evident that a concentrated campaign for the defeat of this disease, which can be fairly classified as a modern scourge, is in progress within and outside the circle of specialised research. It is unlikely" that any important contribution to the solving of the cancer problem can be made" except as the result of intense special study, but the close public attention now being given to it is of great value, because it will encourage research and will encourage the generosity- of those who can give financial aid to science. Lecturing in Wellington last week, Dr. E. H. L-. Morgan spoke of an aspect of the work against cancer that is^of direct interest to the city. At present there is one radium institution in New Zealand, and' it <is in Dunedin. Treatment by radium, as he pointed out, is not a cure for cancer, but it is a palliative; and it,is useful in other maladies. Radium is so rare and so costly that?" it is seldom used directly; but in its peculiar process of atomic change it produces other bodies known as "emanations," which are gaseous, and which produce the form of energy that is found beneficial in cancer. These emanations issue continuously; but unfortunately they have very limited life, and in pointing out that being sent from Dunediri they reach Wellington in active condition, but are useless by the time they.reach Auckland, Dr. Morgan has stated a very strong, argument for the establishment of at least a. radium department here. That Wellington should have a radium laboratory has lately been advocated, and it is a question upon which an authoritative medical opinion would be of value. The decision is not one to be affected by considerations of local prestige. If sufferers can,, in the opinion of experts, be more benefited by an institution here ■ than in V Dunedin, the city should not rest till it has one; and if tho interests of patients y in other centres require a local supply, Wellington should find in its own case good reason for supporting efforts to establish as many departments as are found necessary.