FALSE TEETH AND CANCER

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 226, 18 June 1919, Page 7

FALSE TEETH AND CANCER

Tho plates used for supporting false teeth/'when imperfectly titled, are praying such a prolific source of cancer that a note of warning is sounded by Dr. C. Everett Field, Director of the Radium Institute, in the "Journal of the Auieri£ah Medical Association." "There have come under my ob:i:rvation us Director of tho Radium Institute of New York City many instances in which faulty artificial dentures have caused the development of malignant growths along tho lines of maxillary processes. '

"The. mouth, with its tender iiicm> brauces", is peculiarly subject to injuries which are difficult to heal. If there be a predisposition toward cancer, it is like iy that it will crop out in any region where the soil has been suitably prepared to foster the growth of malignant cells.

"Where a set of teeth fits imperfectly, the constant abrasion on tho gums causes, at fiTSt,. the development of an area of congested tissue. 11l rime this formation degenerates into an ulceraMd state, which, although innocent enough in tho beginning, - may soon exhibit a rapid malignant transformation. The chango from a healthy structure of the gums to that of cancer moves on so insidiously in the early stages that frequently the condition when, recognised is difficult to combat. , " >'' ' , '

"Radium offers to the truly hopeless and inoperable cancer case the one relief possible, and seemingly it gives, such aid in cvory instance. Commonly we see much of the pain lessened, the discharges improved, the odour checked to a. degree and the patient comforted. "While improved technique may be increasing somewhat our success, we fell that far better results can bb secured by urging the necessity of a more prompt recognition of the early signs of malignancy.' "Let it be emphasised as strongly as possible that any chronic irritation serves as -a predisposing factor at least in causing cancer. Let it also be emphasised that\aucei is at first a local disease, which for a time is held within its own confines. As such it is curable by prompt and thorough removal. Let it still further be emphasised that tho nolo reason why cancer is at present so seldom cured is because it is rarely recognised in its primary state and promptly accorded treatment. - '