THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1930. CANCER AND RADIUM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20952, 15 February 1930, Page 12

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1930. CANCER AND RADIUM.

No apology is necessary from us for drawing attention afresh to the effort which is being directed in Otago and Southland, as well as in other parts of New Zealand, in common with the rest of the British Empire, to the establishment of an organisation by means of which an investigation into the cause of cancer may be conducted and adequate provision may be made for the treatment of the disease at clinics. Cancer is a scourge of modem civilisation. Its incidence among uncivilised native races is negligible, but the toll of life it exacts from the peoples • of progressive modern countries is remarkably high. The most alarming feature, however, about the prevalence of this ruthless and baffling disease is that according to reliable estimates it continues to increase. In New Zealand, as elsewhere, the mortality due to cancer is seriously high. In little more than half a century the death rate in the Dominion has quintupled itself, despite the fact that the proportion of cures is definitely higher than it was only a few years ago. One of the objects of the fund which is now being raised. is to create facilities for the early treatment of the disease, through the establishment of clinics, and thus, it is hoped, to bring about a progressive increase in the proportion of cures. This is a beneficent feature of the objects of the campaign that should make a direct ajipeal to all sections of the community. The cancer problem engages so many investigators throughout the world and is so diverse and complex in its ramifications that, it is perhaps not surprising that startling new claims for successful methods of treatment are being made almost monthly-claims nearly all of which, in the light of further knowledge and experience, regrettably prove to be without solid foundation. These extravagant claims are made after an insufficient or unsound trial and as they tend to excite incredulity in the public mind are clearly undesirable. During the course of a recent speech at Oamaru, when an appeal was launched in North Otago for the Empire Cancer Fund, Sir Louis Barnett said that “ the prevention and cure of cancer will be attained in time, but not soon, and not with dramatic suddenness.” In this opinion he is in complete agreement with competent authorities in

other countries. The best informed medical men realise that, apart from some stupendous fluke, the secrets of the cancer problem will bej revealed only by laborious and persistent work in many directions. Radium treatment of cancer stands on its own merits, for there is now abundant evidence of its beneficial effects. _ Such exaggerated views on the possibilities of the therapeutic action of radium and its ‘emanation (radon) have sometimes received public expression that the British Radium Commission a few months ago deemed it advisable to issue a warning statement. The campaign for the education of the public of New Zealand in those Tacts - relating to cancer which it is important that they should know has been singularly free from the abuse of exaggeration of the facts. A clear statement of the present position of radiotherapy in its relation to malignant disease, such as that issued by the British Radium Commission, has, however, much to recommend it, for very few people are able to keep abreast with the rapid developments in this important subject. Strictly speaking, radium is not a “ cure ” for cancer, but, like surgery, is a treatment for cancer. It has nevertheless certain distinctive advantages, for its use does hot involve the risk and suffering associated with extensive and mutilating operations. Surgery removes the tissues containing the malignant cells where that is possible, but radium destroys them in situ. It is reasonable to expect,.'therefore, that, with the prospect of a cure without mutilation, afflicted persons should be far. moi'e ready to consult- their doctors at an early stage so as to ensure early diagnosis. Nothing is more important for the success of radium, or of other treatments, than the stage of the disease at which it is applied. It is usual in radiotherapy as practised today to introduce the radium or radon contained within small hollow needles into the growths and the surrounding tissues, so that a uniform irradiation of the growth is obtained and, the malignant cells are thereby destroyed. The healthy surrounding tissues receive at the same time a less intense and sometimes modified radiation which it is believed stimulates them against the spread of the malignant growth. Unfortunately there is no evidence at present to show that the destruction by radium of malignant cells in an ‘accessible part produces a deleterious effect on malignant cells which may occur in a non-accessible site, so that in very advanced cases the treatment of patients can usually only relieve their symptoms. The notable advances in radiotherapy during the last ten years which have accompanied the close study of this difficult subject, and the great variety of cases in which radium treatment Las ,proved completely successful, are, however, among the most hopeful signs 'in the whole cdmples field of cancer research. ‘