TOLL OF CANCER

Taranaki Daily News, 14 December 1932, Page 9

TOLL OF CANCER

INCREASE IN ITS VICTIMS. . TT MORE CURES AFFECTED. • London, Dec. 3. “Cancer may well be called, the 'captain of the men of death,’” said Lord Moynihan, president of the Royal College of Surgeons, declaring that cancer alone, among the six great killing diseases in Britain, had shown an increase in victims during the past 20 years. At present, ha said, the death'rate from cancer was five .' times that in 1860. There were many explanations, including greater accuracy of diagnosis, while the increased chances of life resulted in more living to the cancer age, which was over 35. The increase occurred in spite of the fact that more cures had been ' effected than ever before in history. Operations were, far safer than l'previously. Personally, he had lost only one patient in an operation for cahcer nf, the breast, but he never expected to lore another. " Lord Moynihan deprecated many doc- ,’ i tors’ doubts regarding the' efficiency o< .--r operations, adding, “Instead of saying; ‘Let’s wait and see whether; this,UiA-j» malignant growth,’ you. Should go in and ' look.” Moreover, people apparently regarded cancer, as a shameful moral btenuish, arid never , talked about * BU£cc»dis operation. If only they af . . cer CUM 3 ■IV wag# ft • i V