SCOURGE OF CANCER

Taranaki Daily News, 3 June 1935, Page 6

SCOURGE OF CANCER

DOMINION TOLL BIGGER TREATMENT AND RESEARCH WORK. CO-ORDINATION NECESSARY. Although New Zealand has the lowest recorded death rate in the world, deaths ! from cancer still constitute a scourge which shows little or no sign of abatement, says the New Zealand Herald. In 1933, according to the New Zealand Official Year Book, there were 1624 deaths from cancer in the Dominion, a proportion of ,11.07 per 10,000 of population. The number of deaths classified that year was 11,701, so that cancer was responsible for 13.88 per cent, of the total. Diseases of the heart alone caused more deaths than this malady with such a grim record. Deaths as a result of accidents were less than half the number of deaths from cancer. The tragedy of the position lies in the fact that, in spite of definite improvements in the treatment of cancer,the death rate from the disease continues to grow. In 1924 the Dominion rate was 9.59 per 10,000 of population and, with only occasional exceptions, there has been an increase every year, with the resultant figure for 1933 of 11.07. Radium, deep X-ray therapy and improved surgery have not prevented a steady advance in mortality, although it has been stated that at present 90 per cent, of the cases of accessible cancer and 30 per cent, of the more severe internal forms, if taken in time, aye curable. > THE SWEDISH SYSTEM. On average figures, based on a period of five years, countries like Greece, Italy, Spain, South Africa and Belgium have much lower cancer death rates than New Zealand. There have been statements to the effect that the Dominion has modelled its cancer campaign on the lines followed in Sweden, generally regarded as the best example in the world of proper organisation and control. Cancer clinics have been in operation in New Zealand for varying periods, but it is claimed that the results of .the past five years have clearly revealed’the insufficiency of the present efforts. The system of special clinics at . public hospitals may allow for a possible development along the lines followed in Sweden, but it is claimed that the work in New Zealand has not ( travelled any appreciable distance along the road originally mapped out for it. The recent position regarding the honorary radiologists at the Auckland hospital can be cited as a case in point, as their work had a definite bearing on cancer treatment and research..- In addition, most authoritative statements, made on the general situation within recent months have emphasised / the importance of much more co-ordination of clinical and statistical research. DEVELOPMENTS IN AUSTRALIA. According to some experts, New Zealand would be well advised to keep closely in touch with developments in Australia, but even in the Commonwealth the plea is for more co-ordina-tion of effort. A conference to discuss cancer alone meets annually at Canberra, but the points raised from time to time show that most of the large centres have their own more or less water-tight organisations, and that existing clinics for treatment are overburdened. s Some of the Australian arguments apply with almost equal weight to New Zealand. Organised research work centres very largely in Dunedin, but Auckland is a long way from the Otago Medical School, and this factor alone emphasises the need for full;co-ordina-tion of effort, A comprehensive scheme with this end in view was recently prepared by the Auckland division of the New Zealand branch of the British Empire Cancer Campaign Society. It was decided to press this side of the work with greater activity and to make it, along with the possible purchase of radium, the main local object. WEAPONS AGAINST DISEASE. Money is urgently needed in the war against cancer. The weapons which can conquer the disease in many cases are expensive, but the present waste of human life is even more costly. It is emphasised in many quarters that New Zealand need feel no sense of technical f inferiority compared with, other countries, as there is a high standard of surgery in the Dominion. But there is a pressing need for more radium, more deep X-ray therapy plants and, lastly, if not separate cancer hospitals, at least properly organised cancer clinics in the main centres, with a full and complete system for the co-ordina-tion of their work. Those New Zealanders who take an intelligent interest in the national wel- - fare of their country can point with pride to the fact that the Dominion . leads the world in the reduction of tuberculosis and infant mortality. It is i claimed that, with adequate support- from the State and the public, the same result , coulqt be achieved with regard to cancer.