TOLL OF CANCER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 118, 20 April 1931, Page 6

TOLL OF CANCER.

The toll of life taken by the dread disease of cancer was strikingly illustrated by Dr Elliott at the annual meeting of the New Zealand branch-of the British Empire Cancer Campaign. “While we are shocked and horrified at the loss of life in the Hawke’s Bay earthquake disaster, in which approximately 300 people were killed, and which fortunately only happens but rarely,” the doctor said, “at the present ' time five times that number of people perish each year from cancer.” Cancer, as the Official Year Book states, is annually responsible for more deaths in this Dominion than can be assigned to any other cause other than diseases of the heart. In 1929, the latest year for which figures are given, deaths from cancer totalled 1461, a proportion of 10.43 per 10,000 persons, the number and rate being substantially higher than in the previous year. Throughout the civilised world the increasing death rate from the disease of cancer is causing much concern, and medical science is engaged on a problem whose solution if reached —and there is hope of it-—will be hailed with profound relief. In Britain in 1929 the deaths Horn this scourge were almost 5 < ,000, the highest on record. The fund for cancer research work in New Zealand has reached nearly £50,000, the aim being to raise £IOO,OOO, which, Dr Elliott said, was essential for the research work being undertaken, the extension of statistical work, maintenance of cabinet clinics in larg'e centres, and the purchase of radium. Dr Elliott also stressed the point that the work is a lengthy process. “They must get it into the minds of the people,” he added, “that this was a fight which concerned each of them personally, and that nothing could be done u ithout money in fighting this most devastating scourge.”