CANCER CLINICS DOING GOOD WORK

Chronicle (Levin), 11 September 1947, Page 5

CANCER CLINICS DOING GOOD WORK

Press Association)

(Per

WELLINGTON, Sept. 10. The caneer clinics at the main eities were having increasingly encouraging results, said Sir .Tames Elliot after the annual meeting ot" the New Zealand branch of tlie British Empire Cancer Campaign Society. He said it had been found tliat among males the incidence of cancer of the stomach was highest, followed by cancer of Ihe prostate gland of the bladder. It was verv gratifying to know that the treatment of tlfis latter disease within recenx times had increased greatly the prospect of a cure or relief. Cases were presenting themselves at earlier stages than t'oriuerly. In Auckland £1000 would be spent this year on the education of the pubiae about cancer, in addition to space being given in the press for this purpose. The Auckland division of the society .proposed to raise £20,000 in a short period for the purpose of inducmg people to seek medieal advice early when the prospeets of a cure were better. A great step had been taken forwara today, he added. The Government Statistics Department would take over the statistical work throughbut tlie Dominion in regard to cancer cases. The society was making a small grant to the department in recognition of its valued help. The radio-physics laboratorv in Christchurch under the control of the Caneer Campaign Society was now to be called the Dominion X-rav and radium laboratory, said Sir James. At this research station special attention would be given to the proteetion ot people using and administering radioactive substances, both professionallv and commercially, particularly as the reeent cancer conference in Ameriea had agreed to supply radio-active isotopes to New Zealand and other countries. These could not be used with impunity unless eare were taken. The X-ray apparatus, in addition to medieal usage, was even used in boot shops for fittings of shoes. The society proposed to issue model regulations for safeguarding those working with and being treated by X-ray apparatus and radioactive substances, Sir James said.