MORTALITY FROM CANCER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19809, 2 December 1927, Page 11

MORTALITY FROM CANCER.

THREATENING INCREASE. DANGEROUS SMOKING HABITS BRITISH EXPERT'S WARNING. By Telegraph— Association—Copyright. (Received December 1, 5.46 p.m.) A. and N.2.-Sun. ' LONDON, Dec. 1. The mortality from cancer is increasing in most civilised countries, according to Professor Blair. He says the peril is now so great that unless men soon conquer the disease, the nations will be forced to stop warring and to unite to stamp out the horror that will threaten the existence of mankind. Ho advocates that the first line of defence should bo prevention, for which the public should be educated and organised into a vast co-operative scheme, which must be sustained until it is as common as washing ithe hands. Cancer of the lips, the mouth, the tonsils and the pharynx is, he says, commonest in men. It was largely due to alcoholism and smoking. Wooden pipes and cigarette holders are gripped in the most comfortable position in the teeth, and a continually directed stream of hot gases is sent to the same part of the tongue and the roof of the mouth and throat. Cigarettes smoked without a holder are the safest from this point of view, when cigars are impossible. All men over 40 should, the professor thinks, be examined twice a year at Government clinics. 1 '