THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 223, 17 June 1944, Page 6

THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER

Society Reports Progress CLINICS AVAILABLE FOR ALL PATIENTS

A big extension in the scope of cancer research at the Medical School. Dunedin, was envisaged by Dr. L. D’ath, professor of pathology, Otago University, at the annual meeting in Wellington yesterday of the British Empire Cancer Campaign Society (New Zealand branch). Professor D’ath said that modern facilities for general research, of which cancer research was an important part, would be available in new buildings "ow being erected. The general public probably did not realize how far cancer research had progressed in the past few years. Its problems were now much nearer solution. The future of cancer research lay largely along chemical lines —the effect of chemical agencies on the formation of cancerous growths. To that aspect attention would be chiefly directed when the war ended and expert workers were again available. The president, Sir James Elliott, said that in individual years it was unlikely that the public would get a proper appreciation of the progress made. But to compare the 1934 results with those of 1944 showed a different position. There had been a 15 per cent, improvement in the treatment of breast cancer in the past 10 .years. One of the most noticeable general features was that where many sufferers were once pitiable and despairing, today they were full of hope and expectancy. Apart from other ever-important considerations the attitude of these sufferers was a stimulus and encouragement to those working to conquer this disease. Where, with cases incurable because of late diagnosis, there had formerly been a general expectancy of only five years of life, this was now 10 years, and with some peace of mind and freedom from pain.

Education in the combating of cancer must proceed again as soon as circumstances permitted. The clinics in the metropolitan centres needed to be made more widely known. Though at the public hospitals they were also intended for private patients. At these clinics patients met a team of experts and had the benefit of the best available medical science. Cancer was generally curable in direct proportion to the period at which the diagnosis was made. With early diagnosis the percentage of cures was surprisingly high; with late diagnosis the outlook was much different. There was some discussion on a reported opinion by some research workers that the society's funds should be available for general research, but it was pointed out that, there was no power to divert funds given specifically for cancer research. Officers elected were: President, Sir James Elliott; vice-presidents. Sir Hugh Aeland. Sir Louis Barnett; finance committee, Sir James Elliott, Dr. P. P. Lynch. Mr. A. E. Ellison. The question of inviting an overseas expert to New Zealand was deferred till after the war. It was reported that Dr. Ralston Paterson, the English expert on deep X-ray and radio-therapy treatment of cancer, who visited Australia at the request of the Commonwealth Government, was unable to come to New Zealand because of transport difficulties. Written data had been sent to him and he recommended a central institution at Auckland to treat all cancer cases by X-ray and therapy, with subsidiary institutions at Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. Sir James Elliott said he considered this proposal not feasible, considering the distances and small population. It was reported that, the Dunedin centre considered the proposal idealistic and impracticable.