FIGHTING CANCER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21845, 6 July 1934, Page 12

FIGHTING CANCER

PROGRESS OF RESEARCH MEDICAL MEN HOPEFUL APPEAL TO THE PUBLIC [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION*! CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday A claim that tho medical profession was slowly but surely winning its fight against cancer was made by Dr. J. S. Elliott, of Wellington, president of the New Zealand branch of the British Empire Cancer Research Campaign Society, at tho annual meeting to-day. "Cancer is still the greatest physical enemy of tho human race," said Dr. Elliott, "but wo are gradually wearing down this enemy, spying out his secrets until we have a good knowledge of his plan of campaign and tactics, and now our counter-attacks with new or improved weapons, if they are quick and energetic enough, usually succeed."

Dr. Elliott again urged the importance of seeking early advico Inpatients, saying that the disease if attacked soon enough could most often bo cured. The battle-cry of the society was "cancer is curable," and early diagnosis and treatment made the euro more easy and certain. Ho also urged the general public to continue to provide funds for research.

Tho delegates were welcomed by the deputy-mayor, Mr. J. K. Archer, in the absence of the Mayor.

Accounts were given by Dr. A. M. Begg, director of the cancer research laboratory at the Otago Medical School, and by Sir Louis Barnett, of tho research work being done. Both spoke hopefully of the good results being achieved, and assured the meeting that results which might yet provo very important had already been achieved in the research into the nature and causes of the disease. Officers were elected as follows; — Patron, the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe; president, Dr. J. S. Elliott; vice-presidents, Sir Louis Barnett and Sir Hugh Acland; secretary and treasurer, Mr. R. Darroch; finance committee (in Wellington), Drs. Elliott and P. P. Lynch. It was decided that the society's laboratory research should be continued for a period of seven years, from November, 1935. and that Dr. Begg and staff be invited to accept appointment for that period. It was also decided that each division should be asked to formulate a scheme for statistical cancer research to be carried out in New Zealand.