Page 440 Advertisement 1

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 70, Issue 4, 16 April 1945, Page 440

ISSUED BY THE DEPT OF HEALTH CANCER Early Treatment Essential Cancer ranks second as the cause of death in N.Z. It stays high because we are not getting early treatment, while the cancer is still local WHERE DOES THE DELAY IN TREATMENT OCCUR? Between the first symptom and the first visit to the doctor! Approximately 80 out of 100 patients disregard the danger signals too long, either because they don’t recognise them, or don’t think they’re serious enough, or want to carry on with their livelihood as long as possible before giving in. j Patients think that they cannot have cancer because any serious disease must be painful, and they have no pain— cancer is painful only in its later spreading stages. ? Doctors help to reduce the cancer death rate by neglecting no known diagnostic procedure, and by persuading their patients to lose no time after diagnosis in getting adequate treatment. EARLY TREATMENT DOES REDUCE THE DEATH RATE: New Zealand Experience: Cancer of the Womb —Successful treatments show 25% improve- . ment, the bulk of this in treatment of early cases. Cancer of the Breast —A little improvement in successful results but only when treatment is early. Cancer of Stomach T Show no improvement in curesover the » •• Prostate J last ten years. New Zealand Branch of British Empire Cancer Campaign waj*ns us we are not reporting our cancers early enough to raise our proportion of cures. American experience advises that the chances of effecting a cure are from 3 to 8 times ; greater, depending upon the site of the cancer, when adequate treatment is begun early in the disease, than when treatment is begun late. REMEMBER THE DANGER SIGNALS: © Any unusual lump or thickening, especially in the breast. 'O Any irregular bleeding or discharge from any body opening. 9 Any sore that does not heal particularly about the tongue, mouth or lips. • Persistent indigestion, often accompanied by loss of weight. • Sudden changes in the form, colour or rate of growth of a mole or wart. 9 Any persistent change from the normal habit or action of the bowch. IMPORTANT: If in doubt, consult your family doctor first. He will advise you to visit the Clinic if necessary. 17a | FOR A HEALTHIER NATION