WAR ON CANCER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21885, 22 August 1934, Page 8

WAR ON CANCER

PROGRESS OF RESEARCH HOPE OF VICTORY GROWING EMPIRE-WIDE ACTIVITIES The progress made in cancer research during the past year is referred to in the 11th annual report of the British Empire Cancer Campaign. "It was pointed out by a very great soldier that every battle is divided into three parts —the period of preparation when openings are sought for and positions secured, the period of struggle when each side tries to break down the other's resistance, and the final period in which the morale of the vanquished breaks down; I think it is a fair statement about the battle against cancer that it is to-day in the second of these stages," said Lord Reading, in introducing the report in the House of Lords last month. "Lines of approach upon the enemy's position have been opened up, and it has been possible, in consequence, to attack with great vigour over a wide front," he said. "The attack is proceeding. If it is too soon, as yet, to say that victory is in sight, it is true, certainly, that hope of victory is increasing from year to year." The diversity of the lines of investigation; both in the laboratory and in the clinical fields, was amazing, stated the report. The microscopic unit, the cancer cell, had been studied from the chemical point of view, and the differences between its "chemical" life and that of normal or healthy cells had been further cleared up. The effect on its growth of the "hormones," or chemical messengers circulating in the blood, and also of the gamma rays of radium and X-rays, was being further studied, particularly at its stage of multiplication into fresh cells. Cancer-producing Substances Perhaps the most interesting result of the year's labours related to the chemistry of cancer-producing substances, such as had been known to exist in shale oil and tar. Certain of these had been prepared in pure form, and synthetically prepared examples had been found to be active in producing cancer in animals such as rats and mice. / • The report stated that further work had been done on the production of a serum against cancer, and in the improvement of the serum test in its diagnosis. In Liverpool and in Bristol much work had been done in the trial of various chemical substances for the destruction of malignant cells on injection, without harm to normal tissues. Compounds of lead, sulphur, and selenium particularly had been used. In patients suffering from cancer of hopeless extent or nature, much benefit had been achieved in the prolongation of life and the relief of suffering. Clinical Reports From Centres New Zealand is represented by a full report of the laboratory research in Dunedin. Almost no mention of clinical work is made. The reports which have been prepared for four years past in the four centres have apparently been found unsuitable for compilation into one report. The results of treatment to date in Auckland do not compare favourably with results in similar groups from the centres represented. The society in Britain has held a special meeting to consider fresh lines of research and better co-ordination between the centres. It appealed for fresh funds on Empire Day throughout Great Britain to carry out this programme.