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17
The second memorandum (Circular 476) issued by
the Ministry of Health's Cancer Committee deals with
the effects of radium and X-rays upon normal and
cancerous tissues. This is almost entirely a scientific
and technical exposition of the subject, and little good
would be served by my quoting it in any detail in this
report. Generally speaking, while it is recognised that
radium and X-rays may have a most beneficial effect
on many varieties of cancer, it is certainly not yet
established that either of these radiations is by any
means a panacea for all cases of cancer. Good results
are frequently obtained when a complete surgical
operation is undertaken followed by X-ray or radium
treatment for some period afterwards.
The third memorandum (Circular No. 496) deals
with the subject of cancer of the breast with particular
reference to results of treatment by operation. Dealing
with, the actual operation mortality after this disease,
it is pointed out that "under modern conditions deaths
directly attributable to the operation, if performed by
skilful surgeons and in well equipped institutions,
have been reduced in the case of breast operations to a
fraction of 1 per cent. Similarly, the convalescence of
the patient after operation is nowadays in sharp contrast
to that which obtained 50 years ago. Then,
amputation of the breast, even if successful, meant
weeks or possibly months of disability due to the
suppuration which occurred. At the present time even
more extensive operations heal without any suppuration
and the patient is out of bed in about a fortnight."
Dealing with the natural course of cancer of the
breast, the memorandum continues, "The value of
operation for cancer of the breast can best be appraised
after a short consideration of the natural course of the
disease. It occurs chiefly, though not exclusively, in
women, and constitutes the largest portion of cancer
mortality amongst women in England and Wales, with
the single exception of cancer of the genital organs.
It may occur at any period of adult life, and with
increasing frequency as age advances. After the age
of 45 it constitutes a very serious factor in the total