CANCER SCOURGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23273, 16 February 1939, Page 14

CANCER SCOURGE

EFFORTS TO COMBAT OUTSTANDING NEEDS ADVICE TO THE PUBLIC NOTED SYDNEY SURGEON [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION*] WELLINGTON, Wednesday The necessity for continuous research in the hope of finding the cause of cancer, and thus obtaining a cure, the importance of early diagnosis, and the need for skilled treatment of the disease, were the outstanding requirements to combat the cancer scourge, said Dr. F. A. Mnguire, well-known Sydney surgeon, in the course of a public address to-night. Dr. Maguire, who made a special visit to New Zealand at tho invitation of the 10th Australian and New Zealand cancer conference, will return to Sydney tomorrow.

The chairman, Sir James Elliott, in welcoming the Minister of Health, tho Hon. P. Fraser, the Director-General of Health in Australia, Dr. Cumpston, and Dr. Maguire, said tho address would bo something in the nature of an experiment. The medical profession had been accused of not taking the public into its confidence, but sometimes the public was reluctant to como forward to learn. Another fear was that they might produco cancer phobia. Known Influences In his address Dr. Maguire described the different types of cancer and its incidence. He said that according to general statistics cancer came third in the general causes of death, being next after heart disease and pneumonia. It was estimated that one in every eight of the adult population would die of cancer, under present conditions of knowledge and treatment. Unfortunately for the human race, the true cause of cancer was not known at present, but thero wero certain factors which were known to havo an influence in causing cancer. The question of heredity was widely debated, and there were also influences of ago and irritation—mechanical, chemical and thermal. An increasing body of scientific workers believed also that viruses, probably of the nature of ultra-microscopic living organisms, played an important part in tho causation of cancer.

Diagnostic Centres As well as very early cases, many cases of fairly advanced cancer could be cured by modern methods of treatment, and even in very advanced cases there were sometimes almost miraculous recoveries.

Dr. Maguire emphasised the necessity for early diagnosis, and tho establishment of centrally situated diagnostic centres, where the services of specially qualified medical men should be made available free to all poor and indigent persons, payment being made by those who could afford it.

Everyone should know the following primary essential facts about cancer:— It attacked both young and old, was painless in the early stages, and grew comparatively slowly. Tjnless it was checked or cured by efficient treatment cancer killed. It could be cured if detected early enough. Possible Beginnings Any lump in any part of tho body which appeared painlessly or which grew steadily, any sore or ulcer which did not clean up rapidly with treatment, any unnatural discharge from the cavities of the body, any "indigestion," which did not yield quickly to simple remedies, might bo the beginnings of cancer. All persons who found they had any one of those conditions should report to their family doctor or to the diagnostic centre. Dr. Maguire in conclusion dealt with the treatment of cancer by surgery, deep X-ray, radium and radium emanations. He said intensive research, early diagnosis, and skilled treatment were the three outstanding requirements if the community wished to hold and check the cancer scourge.

CONFERENCE OPENED WELCOME TO DELEGATES [by telegraph—PßESS association] "WELLINGTON, Wednesday The tenth Australian and New Zealand cancer conference, and the first to be held in New Zealand, opened in Wellington to-day with a large representation of Dominion cancer workers and a strong Australian delegation. Sir James Elliott, president of the New Zealand branch of the Empire Cancer Campaign, presided. The Minister of Health, the Hon. P. Eraser, welcomed the delegates on behalf of the Government, and expressed its apSreciation of the arduous work being one to combat the cancer scourge. The deputy-Mayor, Mr. M. F. Luckie, extended the city's welcome. The leader of the Australian delegation, Dr. Cumpston, convoyed fraternal greetings from Australian cancer workers, and stressed the common purpose of the work on both sides of the Tasman. The conference is expected to last for three days.