CANCER CAMPAIGN SOCIETY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 10 June 1936, Page 2

CANCER CAMPAIGN SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING OF NEW ZEALAND BRANCH

WORK OF YEAR REVIEWED (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, This. Day. • The annual meeting of the Now Zealand branch of the British Empire Cancer Campaign Society was held at the Parliamentary Buildings yesterday afternoon. Dr. J. S. Elliott presided and introduced the Minister of Health (the Hon. P. Fraser), who delivered a short address, emphasising the worldwide importance of the work of the medical profession in its campaign against cancer. In the course of a statement submitted by the president, a review is given of the developments in the field of cancer control in New Zealand during the past year. At each of the four main hospitals there are cancer consultation committees to which are referred all cases of cancer which enter the hospital. The advice of the committee is available also for outside cases which may be referred to it by private practitioners and institutions outside the hospital. The hospital boards co-operate fully with the society in the maintenance of these consultation clinics. The society has also the fullest co-operation of the Health Department. The finances are derived from a capital fund of £85,000, which has been accumulated in the last eight years from public subscriptions and bequests. After describing the treatment facilities, the developments in radium and X-rays and the developments in physical and pathological services, Dr. Elliott says that the necessity for better instruction in cancer has been realised by the Medical School authorities. At the main hospitals, the final year medical students attend in rotation the meetings of the cancer committees, and are brought into contact with large groups of cases of the disease in a way which would never be possible iia ordinary hospital practice. It is felt that among recently qualified graduates there is an improved and more hopeful outlook on the cancer problem. They are willing and ready to refer cases to the centres where full facilities exist for the treatment of special foims of the disI ease.

“As far as public education is concerned, the society has had very valuable assistance from the Press, which from time to time publishes articles of public interest submitted by the society on all aspects of cancer. We have adopted a cautious attitude in respect of propaganda as we realise that methods which are suitable for some countries might do nothing but harm in these. From time to time radio talks have been given; but these have been irregular, and we think the radio is not an entirely suitable medium for the diffusion of knowledge on this subject. The Otago Division provides the publicity committee for the society as their association with the Medical School keeps them in closer touch with the education aspects. From time to time they make available to the Press in the centres and provinces suitable statements and articles. An outline is given of the research activities carried out by Dr. A. M. 13egg, at Dfunedin. “It was a source of great satisfaction to the society that the late King, when offered a jubilee gift by the people of New Zealand, expressed the wish that the occasion should be used to assist the work of cancer control in Ne.v Zealand. This proposal was given the cordial support of the Government and people of New Zealand, rmc;, as a result, the funds of the society benefited by over £15,000.”