DANGER FROM CANCER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 811, 4 November 1929, Page 16

DANGER FROM CANCER

DOCTOR’S WARNING HEAVY TOLL IN DOMINION “Unless something is done, between two and three hundred of this audience are doomed to die of cancer, said Ur. Kenneth Mackenzie, in opening his address given under the auspices of the New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Rationalism, at the Majestic Theatre last evening. The theatre was crowded and many were unable to gain admittance. Mr. Mackenzie showed by means of a chart that the disease had grown steadily during the past 40 years, and now accounted for more deaths than tuberculosis. Very little was known of the disease beyond that it was an abnormal growth in the cells of the body. In the first instance it was invariably a local disorder, but by breaking and destroying the cells it gradually spread into the vessels and organs, ultimately causing death. Certain local affections had specific causes, and he instanced cancer of the skin among Indians who carried baskets of hot charcoal on their bodies, of the mouth among smokers, and on the exposed parts of neck and arms of outdoor workers under the Australian sun. Evidently heat irritation was one cause. There was nothing definite to show that cancer was connected with diet, although the Japanese, who subsisted largely upon raw vegetables, rarely contracted tumours. Ur. Mackenzie said that cancer was definitely curable in its very early stages and without much pain, if in an accessible place. High percentages of cures were effected in cases of cancer of tfhe lip, skin and breast.

Uifficulties of research are many, and an association is needed if any definite progress is to be made, Dr. Mackenzie considers. There was an immense field for such investigation in this country and with the alarming increase in the mortality rate from this scourge, it was essential that this problem be attacked at once by the people themselves. A society foi this purpose is in existence and New Zealand should co-operate oy forming a branch.

Mr. C. E. who was in the chair, proposed the hearty vote of thanks.