SCOURGE OF CANCER.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 228, 26 September 1929, Page 13

SCOURGE OF CANCER.

TREATMENT AND RESEARCH.

AUCKLAND SOCIETY FORMED.

CAMPAIGNS SUGGESTED,

Appeals for assistance in cancer research and in the acquisition of further quantities of radium, together with a suggestion for a campaign warning the public of the early symptoms of the dieease, were made at a public meeting in the Council Chamber of the _ Town Hall yesterday afternoon, when it was decided to form a local division the New Zealand braftch of the British Empire Cancer Campaign Society. The urgency of immediate action was stressed by several speakers. The meeting, which was attended by prominent Auckland doctors, was presided over by the Deputy-Meyor, Mr. A. J. Entrican. An account of the work of the society was given by the Dominion secretary, Mr. R. Darroch, of Wellington, who said it had been formed six years ago, with the King as patron, and the Prince of Wales as president. To enable the New Zealand, branch to do the work it was anxious to accomplish, more funds were necessary, and a campaign which had been organised had been abandoned when the more immediate funds for the relief of distress caused by the earthquake damage had been appealed for. "Cancer," said Mr. Darroch, "seems to be a subject that should not be mentioned. There is the . feeling _ that it casts a slur, and consequently it is seldom discussed. It is necessary to discuss it," he declared. It was hoped that the New Zealand branch of the society would be able to make a very valuable contribution to what had already been done in the study of cancer. Dr. A. M. Be™, who had spent the past seven years in research, would arrive in -New Zealand from London next year and would continue his work here. "It is not too much to expect that what has happened in the case of other diseases will also happen in the case of this dire scourge," Said Dr. C. H. Tewsley, president of the Auckland branch of the British Medical Association. In New Zealand, he said, there were more deaths from cancer every year than from any other disease, except heart trouble. In 1927 there were 1324 deaths, and the rate of mortality was increasing. In 1875 the rate was two for every 10,000 persons; by 1927 it had become 9.63, while the mortality rate of tuberculosis had dropped from 16 to 5 per 10,000 over the same period. Dr. Tewsley also quoted figures showing a comparison between the death-rate in the Dominion and those of other countries. Only two, Denmark, with 13.8 per 10,000 persons, and England and Wales, with 13, were higher than that of New Zealand (9.4), while countries with lower rates included Australia (9.2), E°ypt and Ceylon, where the rate was lowest. New Zealand's position was indeed an unenviable one, he remarked. The importance of radium in cancer treatment was increasing. radium was required in New Zealand and money was wanted to buy it. Dr. Tewsley suggested an active campaign to make the public aware of the early eicns of cancer, which, Could then be treated in its least formidable stages. Onlv in this way could sufferfers hope for complete cure. Speaking for the medical profession, he urged the meeting to give every assistance to the work of the society. "I hope we shall see the day when cancer will no longer be a hideous nightmare," he concluded. An assurance that the Auckland Hospital Board would give, the fullest support, not only in conducting research work, but also in the purchase of radium, was given by its chairman (Mr. William Wallace). The speaker outlined a campaign which was organised some time ago to raise £20,000 for the purchase of radium. Quoting a report to j the board, Mr. Wallace said that the quantity of radium owned by the Auckj land- Hospital was far from sufficient! i Of the formation of an Auckland divi- 1 sion of the society Mr. Wallace thought it unwise to observe the rule of the central committee, which gave that committee control over divisions in the other cities. Any funds collected in Auckland should be retained by the local division and a portion sent to the central committee for research work. _ Other organiastions had found centralisation unweHdy and had rejected it. I The educational work which the cami paign would entail was stressed by Mr. Kenneth Mackenzie. The conditions, he said, to which the public would have to give attention were not necessarily those which were cancerous, but those which were likely to become cancerous. Information about cures would enable people to rid themselves of the dread feeling of -hopelessness which often prevailed. . . Confidence that cancer, like other diseases, would receive its death-blow through research work, was expressed by Canon W. Fancourt, vicar of St. Mary's Cathedral. "It requires the lifelong devotion of medical men, though,' he added. . , , After a resolution had 'been earned to form an Auckland division of the New Zealand branch of the society, it was suggested that the rules submitted by the central committee should be adopted. Dr. E. B. Gunson objected to this course, stating that he was in agreement with Mr. Wallace. Since the work of the cancer committee at the Auckland Hospital would be most important, he considered that some of the funds collected should be set aside for local purposes. If the local committee had authority to spend the collected the result would be more dtvnite and more satisfactory. It was decided to appoint a committee to consider rules and to report to a later meeting of the division.' The following were appointed: Mrs. W. H. Parkes, Mr. W. Wallace, Dr. C. H. Tewsley, Dr. E. B. Gunson, Mr. Kenneth Mackenzie and Mr. W. H. Prentis, of the Auckland Commercial. Travellers' Club.