SCOURGE OF CANCER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20669, 15 September 1930, Page 11

SCOURGE OF CANCER.

ENCOURAGING STATISTICS. i "FATALISM NOT JUSTIFIED." CHANCES OF FULL RECOVERY. "The statistics as to the treatment of cancer arc more encouraging than the public generally believe," said Mr. Kenneth Mackenzie, chairman of the Auckland committee of the New Zealand division of the British Empire Cancer Campaign, speaking m the Majestic Theatre last evening. His lecture on 'The Part of the Public in the Fight Against Cancer" was given under the auspices of the Rationalist Association. "Cancer fatalism," or the belief that anyone stricken with the disease must die, was not justified, but on tlie other hand tho campaign aimed at giving the public a truer recognition of what cancer was and the need for treatment in the early stages. A great many cases of cancer could be and wero cured through treatment commenced in the early stages, the lecturer said. This was shown by great numbers of figures and particularly by the results of a statistical research by the British Ministry of Health. The latter had shown, in regard to cases in which the disease when first seen by a doctor was entirely confined to the breast, that between 70 and 80 per cent, of the sufferers were free of cancer five years after operative or other treatment had been undertaken. On tho othpr hand, in cases where the cancer had spread beyond the breast before treatment was commenced, only 20 per cent, of the patients survived at the end of the samo period. Therefore it would be seen that there was a four in five chance of complete recovery if treatment was given early. This fact was sufficient to dispose of cancer fatalism. Mortality Rate in Dominion.

Explaining why funds were being collected from the public, Mr. Mackenzie said those in control of the campaign were animated by a realisation of the mortality rate. The latest figures issued by tho Government Statistician showed that in the Dominion the rate had reached a higher point than ever before. While tho actual cause of cancer was still a matter for research, the medical profession believed that better use than in the past could be made of the facts already ascertained.

From statistical investigation it was known that some forms of cancer were due to irritation, or followed certain other diseases, often after several years. It was believed that the application of that knowledge would enable a considerable number of cases of cancer to be prevented and to this purpose the fund now being raised in Auckland would largely be devoted. Allocation of Funds.

It was aimed to raise some thousands of pounds in Auckland city and province. The local organisation was practically committed to contributing 20 per cent, of the amount to the central New Zealand fund and the use of this would be determined by the Dominion executive, on which the four provinces were equally represented. A certain amount was being ear marked for cancer research at the University of Otago, but many of the Auckland medical men thought that this was inadvisable and that research would be better left to the great institutions in the older and larger countries.

Compilation of statistics of cases cured would be an important work to be undertaken by (lie central executive. In the interests of the, campaign against cancer it should be known each year how many cases had occurred and whether the proportion of cures 1o deaths was increasing. The statistics now available did not give this important information. Eighty per cent, of the fund collected in Auckland would remain for application to the direct needs of this province. One direction in which this would be used was to give publicity to facts which it was believed would be helpful to the public and the medical profession. Study at the Hospital.

For about a year past all cases of cancer attended at the Auckland Hospital had been studied by a group of medical men specialising in the different branches of treatment. It was believed that had enabled a definite advance to be made toward better diagnosis and treatment. The compilation of records as full as was desirable required a good deal of clerical assistance. It was hoped to organise a branch which would keep records of all cases of cancer presented at the hospital, so that full information as to the results of treatment would be available. A certain amount of finance was necessary for the non-medical side of this work.

The provision of more adequate means of special treatment also deserved attention. This applied particularly to radium. A certain amount was at the hospital, but not enough, and riot made up in a sufficient variety of forms to give the best usage in accordance with modern methods.