PROBING THE CANCER MYSTERY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160739, 27 August 1920, Page 4

PROBING THE CANCER MYSTERY.

FAMOUS SURGEON AND COMPLETE CURES. A new onslaught on the cancer scourge has been begun by the Middlesex Hospital, London. Although considerable success has been achieved with the use of radium and X-rays, those in charge of the research work are not satisfied with the progress made, and are now to concentrate on an attempt to discover some chemical with which to overcome the disease.

Srr John Bland-Sutton, the famous surgeon, who has led the fight against cancer for several years, says that the cause of cancer is still as obscure to the medical profession as at the time of Hippocrates, the father of medicine. “But although we seem no nearer to discovering its origin,” he added, “it is now not too much to say that after 2300 years of investigation complete cures are now sometimes being effected.

“The disease is not mastered,” ho emphasised, “but certain cases—perhaps only a small proportion—yield to treatment. Some of the cures have been effected where the prospects of success seemed favourable. On the other hand, apparently simple cases often prove the most baffling.” “One thing can be said with certainty,” he added, “cancer is not contagious. Neither is it hereditary, although environment may have something to do with the occurrence of several cases in one family. I have thought for a long time that the disease has its origin in a mystery parasite introduced into the system through uncooked food or water. “Each case of cancer is peculiar to the individual. The growth can be transferred to another part of the body and flourish, while if transferred to a second person--it dies. “Cows, dogs, and other domestic animals suffer from cancer, but an animal growth does not live on human beings. Houses themselves are not aisle to harbour the parasite and pass it on to new tenants.”