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— 22 —
Susceptibility to Cancer.
"In view of popular theories and beliefs I may quote the
following from the Memorandum on Cancer issued by the Ministry
of Health.
'It is right, however, to point out that hereditary predispositions
to cancer has not at present been proved to be of any
practical importance in man ; that it cannot be asserted with
scientific authority that the use of any particular article of
food increases the liability to cancer, or prevents it from
appearing; that no known drug or preparation will prevent its
appearance or cure it when present and that no danger of
cancer has been proved to result from inhabiting houses or
districts in which cancer happens to have been exceptionally
common. There is no evidence to show that cancer is an
infectious or contagious disease.'
Prevention of the Disease.
"Little can be said as regards definite measures of prevention
excepting those relating to the avoidance of the sources of irritation
already mentioned. Nevertheless, it may be assumed that the
general injunctions put forward for the preservation of general
health will to some extent influence the incidence of cancer. These
include regular habits, regular exercise, a good mixed diet including
vegetables and fruit, sound teeth, regular bowel action and the
avoidance of all excesses.
Treatment of Cancer.
“There is only one satisfactory method of treatment and that
is by complete surgical excison in the early stage before the disease
has had time to extend far into the tissues of the body. Provided
an operation is performed early enough a cure can be effected.
Even if a complete cure is not possible owing to the disease not
being recognised early enough, life may be prolonged and made
tolerable by operation.
“Successful treatment of cancer depends on early diagnosis'
and to secure early diagnosis the public must be encouraged to seek
medical advice in the early stages of the disease. This applies
also to other diseases of slow onset, for example may be mentioned