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PLAIN WORDS ON CANCER.
In spite of much new knowledge with regard to Cancer,
the mortality rate is very high. Every year our district
loses over 50 persons from this disease.
It is well known that, to a considerable extent, this high
rate is preventable. What happens so often is that, the
early stages being comparatively painless, the new growth
is not recognised at first as abnormal; or from false modesty
or disinclination, its consideration is neglected.. Too often
so-called friends advise that on no account should an operation
be undertaken—or they know a special home where
patients are cured without operation ! These friends accept
a grave responsibility, and so do the institutions that receive
these deluded patients, and so frequently treat them without
even medical attendance.
The continued permisssion of this general nullity of
treatment is one of the strange anomalies of the 20th centurv
administration—so inimical to the best public health
methods !
No cases are so sad as those who arrive too late for
'treatment—a tragedy to the patient—depressing to the
doctor, and a serious loss to the community. On the other
hand scores of lives are saved annually by early surgical
treatment, especially by certain new surgical details of technique,
and a more exact dosage of radium, often avoiding
operation.
The Ministry of Health has appointed special Committees
to make full investigation, and can now state that
no single article of diet favours the growth of cancer—that
cancer is not in the ordinary sense inherited, is not contagious—(no
doubt similar constitutions and similar tissues
under unfavourable and unnatural conditions, such as may
arise from chronic irritation or chronic constipation, may
acquire the complaint, and especially may this be the case
where the tissues are old and worn out). Nor is there good
evidence that cancer attaches to particular houses or
districts.
We are all urged by the Ministry of Health, whenever
there arc signs or symptoms that are not understood, to see
a doctor at once, and be cured whilst the opportunity occurs.
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