TREATMENT OF CANCER

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17126, 5 December 1929, Page 14

TREATMENT OF CANCER

MEDICAL WARNING HAPHAZARD USE OF KEROSENE As much ill-advised publicity has been given to the claim of a cure oi cancer by kerosene, inquiries made from the highest medical sources indicate the need for caution in adopting this treatment for cases of cancer. Medical opinion is strongly against haphazard application of an irritating substance to the surface of any simple or cancerous ulcer. From what particulars have come to hand regarding the reported case of a cure for cancer by kerosene, it would appear that the local cancer, which was an external cancer, was completely removed by surgical means. Although removal of local cancers, unless undertaken in the early stages of the disease, is often followed by a recurrence of the growth in distant parts of the body, nevertheless such local removal, as was undertaken in the case in point, often constitutes a cure. The appearance of secondary deposits of cancer may not take place until the lapse of some years; and, as pointed out previously, u cancer cannot be considered as cured unless the local growth is removed and the patient is free from recurrence for a period of from five to seven years. The exact extent and nature of the secondary growths, if any, in this case have still to be determined. Official inquiry is at present ‘being made, and when all 'the facts of tho case are available, doubtless a statement will be made. In the cancer literature of recent years there are no reference? to the value of kerosene and allied substances in treatment.—Post. ■