CANCER CAMPAIGN.

Evening Star, Issue 22382, 4 July 1936, Page 14

CANCER CAMPAIGN.

One of the scourges of humanity today is cancer. Its appalling ravages have impressed themselves on the civilised world, and in every country in which medical science has kept pace with the times determined and consistent efforts are^being made to discover its causes and provide effective methods for its cure. In this outpost of Empire good work is being done, and its scope was related at the annual meeting of the Otago and Southland Division of the Cancer Campaign Society, which is a very live body indeed. The speeches of Sir Louis Barnett (the chairman of the division at j this end of the Dominion), Dr Speight, I nnd Dr Begg are, well worth careful study. Advances are being made. Sir Louis Barnett showed that the treatment of surface cancers is giving increasingly successful results, but cases of long standing continue to present grave difficulties. Stressing the imparfetfooe eftslx dtagwwia »ad«arix

treatment, the speaker explained how difficult these things were when deepseated cancers were present in the human body, but gave the heartening assurance that definite progress in the matter of early diagnosis was being made. The point on which particular emphasis was laid is the importance, when unusual or disquieting symptoms manifest themselves, of seeking medical advice. To make expert opinion obtainable, consultation clinics were established in New Zealand six years ago, under the auspices of the British Empire Cancer Campaign Society, and the work that is being done in the Dunedin clinic was outlined by Dr Speight. The opportunities that it affords to the public were explained, and it is satisfactory to note that its importance is being progressively recognised. Each year shows an increase in the number who seek advice at the clinic. During the year under review the number of patients seen for the first time was 168, and the number of consultations had been 598. Every effort is being made to remove difficulties from the way of people in town and country who desire to make use of the opportunities available for examination and treatment. Dr Begg, who is in charge of the research laboratory in this city, also spoke words of hope. After explaining, for the benefit of the lay mind, some of the methods employed and the results achieved, he said that confidence was felt by research workers and members of the medical profession generally that the knowledge of cancer that was being gained every day would ultimately lead to the complete subjection of this fell disease. The value of the work that is being done by the society can hardly be exaggerated. Sir Louis Barnett and other specialists who have the time at their disposal are devoting themselves wholeheartedly to the objects of the campaign and the medical profession as a body, is co-operating with them in their efforts. There are several ways in which the work is being carried on by the society. One is by publicity with a view to obtaining financial support and encouraging people in doubtful health to make use of the opportunities provided for them, and another is the technical side in which research is conducted and the best methods of treatment of the disease painstakingly studied. The invaluable work the society is doing is deserving of every support from the people as a whole..