COMBATING CANCER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21830, 19 June 1934, Page 12

COMBATING CANCER

PROGRESS IN AUSTRALIA report on conference NEW ZEALAND CAMPAIGN [bv telecbaph —ow.v corbespoxdzxt] WELLINGTON, Monday Comments on transactions of the fifth Australian cancer conference having a bearing on the cancer problem in New Zealand are contained in a report released for publication to-day by the Minister of Health, Hon. J. A. Young. The report was prepared by the president of the New Zealand branch of the British Empire Cancer Campaign, Dr. J. S. Elliott, and the professor of pathology at the University of Ota go, Professor E. F. P'Ath, who were two of the New Zealand representatives at the conference held at Canberra in April. Other delegates representing the Dominion were Dr. C. Femvick, Dr. de Monchaux, Dr. Harvey and Mr. J. A. Strong, M.Sc. The authors of the report state it was no exaggeration to say it was doubtful if Europe with all its resources could produce a conference on cancer wider in its scope, more informative or more authoritative than the fifth Australian cancer conference. "The Australians are very advanced in the study of dosage and screenage and our New Zealand radiologists who attended the conference were much ini pressed,' 5 the report proceeded. "Original work in this form of research will soon begin in our research laboratory in Dunedin under Dr. A. W. Bcgg and assistants. Improvement in Results "It is know that there is marked variation in the response of i arious malignant growths to radiation and the life cycle of various forms of cancer is little understood at present. With variation m dosage and forms of screening results have improved and will continue to improve to a degree which we cannot yet visualise. The conference was unanimous that radiotherapy is so powerful for good or evil and so complex a study that this work should be restricted to such practitioners only as have the necessary knowledge and experience and under close supervision and control. "In this connection the old order is changing and surgical treatment should be combined with radiotherapy. That is to sav, except for the treatment of superficial growths the operation is for the trained surgeon with qualification or training also in radiotherapy. At Melbourne a curriculum for this combined training is being established, carrying with it a special diploma, and for some considerable time to come New Zealand should look to the large cities in Australia as its training centre in this new and important course of study. Importance of Early Action "The New Zealand branch of ihe British Empire Cancer Campaign has invited Dr. W. H. Moran, of Sydney, a recognised authority, to come to New Zealand in a few months to address medical practitioners and perhaps awaken public interest. He is well versed in the surgery-cum-radiotherapy type of treatment now required. Emphasis was laid at the conference on the continued need of impressing upon the public generally and the medical profession the necessity of early diagnosis and treatment of pre-cancer-ous or cancerous lesions —the most fruitful method at present of lessening cancer mortality. "Furthermore, the fact that the conference had mostly concentrated on X-rays and radium should not lead to the misconception that surgical treatment had been displaced from its established position. 3t is by combination of the methods as required that the bestresults are obtained. "With the object of strengthening the campaign against cancer the following resolutions were adopted:—"This conference, viewing the continued increase in cancer mortality with some concern, considers that no organisations should be content with the success which has already been achieved but should improve and extend their efforts and aim at definite progress toward an Australian organisation. The conference considers that the moEt desirable form of organisation to combat cancer is an association which will combine medical men and laymen on a common grennd for this common purpose. in which all are equally and vitally interested. Organisation in Dominion " 'Such an association should concern , itself with every phase oi the cancer problem, but should immediately devote special attention to (3 ) providing the means of treatment; J2) inducing sufferers to seek early diagnosis and treatment. The conference therefore recommends to those States in which such an organisation does not vet exist that steps be taken a.s early as pos-' . Bible for its formation. 1 " The report states that Australian representatives had spoken approvingly of the organisation of the cancer campaign in New Zealand and of the results so far achieved in this Dominion. "While Tie in New Zealand have much to learn in certain phases of Australian progress in cancer campaign," the report concludes, "we have the melancholy satisfaction that Australian cancer clinics treated 30S1 new cases from 1928 to 3933, and New Zealand cancer clinics treated 2800 new cancer cases in the shorter period of ]930 to 39-33- The fifth Australian cancer conference revealed little that was new in the nature and cause of cancer—a subject, in which hope is still deferred—but as regards treatment the conference brought forward much that shows substantial improvement in results, and that sugars well for future progress."