CANCER RESEARCH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 20 June 1931, Page 7

CANCER RESEARCH

WHY FUNDS ARE NEEDED SOME LUDICROUS THEORIES The fight against cancer—-the great aim of science to learn its mystery—demands for its success an almost unlimited amount of money. That is why the British Empire Cancer Campaign has been organised, and why the New Zealand branch expects our people to do their share in this noble work. Among the local and immediate benefits will he that New Zealand cancer sufferers will be persistently reminded to secure early treatment, and that the proper methods of treatment will be made available for them. In clinics and laboratories in all •the chief cities of the Empire, doctors and scientists are tracking the secret of the cause of cancer. It is-a grim struggle against the most insidious and baffling disease that takes toll of mankind. One aspect of the campaign is suggested in this extract from the latest book on the subject, “Cancer aiid Scientific Research,” by Dr. B. Holmes, of Cambridge:— “The attempts which are frequently made to relate the reputed increase in cancer-rate in this country, or the greater prevalence of cancbr in one country rather than in another, with some particular mode of life or form of dietary, require proper statistical treatment of the facts to encourage or to check them when necessary. The ludicrous and absolutely unfounded theories which are so often aired at great length in pamphlets, books, and newspapers require suppressing, while much may be learnt by further investigation of the causes of difference in cancer-rate between one class (or one occupation) and another. Tt Is well-known that men engaged in certain occupations meet with conditions which definitely pre-dispose to cancer, and in these occupations cancer of the skin is a notifiable industrial disease; hut there are other trades with a high cancer-rate, the origin of which is by no means understood, while the introduction of meW processes into industry may bring fresh risks which can only he recognised in the course of time. For these reasons the very laborious statistical enquiries which are continually being brought to bear upon the catieer problem in Britain must always rank high in practical importance.”

One hopeful fact should be borne in mind by the general public: Cancav in its early stages is usually curable when properly treated. If you have cancer, consult a doctor at once. The only really incurable form of cancer is that which has been allowed to go too far.