CANCER SCOURGE

Evening Star, Issue 25048, 15 December 1943, Page 2

CANCER SCOURGE

GURE FOR ONE FOffl ' IMPORTANT DISCOVERY GOHFIRMED Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, Dec. 14. The first cure and successful control of one form of, cancer with pills of a • synthetic chemical, substance was disclosed by Professor Edward Charles' Dodds, of the University of London, at the annual meeting of the British Empire Cancer Campaign. He clearly ■ warned that the discovery thus far was confined solely to cancer of 'the prostate gland. Professor Dodds described the results obtained from the treatment of nialig- . hant disease of the prostate gland with synthetic oestrogens as dramatic and striking. " During the last year or so," he said, " America has reported descriptions of the treatment of this terrible disease by the administration of substances by the mouth and the subse- • quent complete disappearance of the symptoms without any other treat- ■ ment. We are thankful that the reports of the American work have been completely confirmed, and for the first time in the history of mankind it is possible to state that one form of cancer has been completely controlled. The patient: is rendered free of symptoms by the administration of a few pills by the mouth every -day. The registrar-general's 1941 figures indicate that the discovery will result in the elimination of intense suffering and -death from cancer of the prostate '- gland in approximately. 4,000 persons annually in England and Wales alone. Whether this uncovers an entirely new field of cancer research has still to be determined, and it will be investigated." • Professor Dodds added that Britain ■ was also in the campaign, and could take certain credit, for the discovery. Their American colleagues made the '■■ actual observation of cases, but the

weapon used was .forged in Britain by Englishmen working directly under the influence and with the support of the campaign. The synthetic chemical used in the treatment was diethylstirboestrol. The cancer campaign's progress in the last 10 years constituted a body of discoveryso substantial as to justify the belief that the campaign was entering a new phase.