FIGHTING CANCER

Southland Times, Issue 21715, 30 May 1932, Page 11

FIGHTING CANCER

CANADIAN COMMISSION’S REPORT PROPOSED CANCER INSTITUTE. Toronto, April 19. After ten months of study in eight countries the Ontario Cancer Commission, a body of four appointed by the Provincial Government, has presented a report which recommends a broad programme of cancer treatment and prevention through education. The report is being given careful consideration, and action on it is likely to be taken as soon as finances permit. The commission was composed of the Rev. H. J. Cody, former Ontario Minister of Education; Professor C. M. McLennan, Dr W. T. Connell and Mr Arthur R. Ford, managing editor of the London (Ontario) Free Press. Studies were made in Great Britain, United States, France, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, and, of course, in Canada. The commission recommends that the Government appoint a commissioner or commission with wide powers and many duties in connection with can-er treatment. This individual or body would have custody and control of Government-owned radium, would inaugurate and supervise treatment centres and diagnostic clinics and would secure close co-operation of all treatment centres. The commission agreed that the use of radium and Xrays was of high value in cancer treatment. It advised also that the Government, through its research department, investigate also experiments along the lines of serums, tissues and bio-chemical extracts, and said there was ample basis for the hope that in these experiments a cure ultimately might be found. Creation is advised of a cancer institute for the purpose of securing skilled personnel and for stimulation and guidance of research; organization of a limited number' of diagnostic centres; purchase of an adequate supply of radium; institution of an active campaign of public education in the matter, and provision for short postgraduate medical courses in cancer treatment.