TREATMENT OF CANCER

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 131, 29 November 1929, Page 13

TREATMENT OF CANCER

MEDICAL WARNING

HAPHAZARD USE OF

KEROSENE

As much ill-advised publicity has been given to the claim of a cure of cancer by kerosene, inquiries made from the highest medical sources . indicate the need for caution in adopting this treatment for cases of cancer. Medical opinion is strongly against haphazard application of an irritating substance to tho surface of any siniplo or cancerous ulcer. Kerosene hag;, a certain value in medicine in the treatment of some ulcerative conditions of the bowel, but the type of case for which such treatment is suitable, and the method of application of the treatment, both require mature medical judgment. In a general way, it can be said that the public would be illadvised to undertake any vaunted method of- treatment without first seeking the advice of their medical attendant. REPORTED CURE. From what particulars have come to hand regarding the reported case of a cure of cancer by kerosene, if; would appear that the local cancer, which was an external cancer, was completely removed by surgical means. Although removal of local cancers, unless undertaken in the early stagps of tho disease, is often followed by a recurrence of tho growth in distant parts of the body, nevertheless such, local removal, as was undertaken in the case in point, often constitutes a cure. The appearance of secondary deposits of cancer may not take place until the lapse of some years; and, as pointed out previously, a cancer cannot bo considered as cured unless the local growth is removed and the patient is free from recurrence for a period of from five to seven years. The exact extent and nature of.the secondary growths, if any, in this case have still to bo determined. Official inquiry is at present being made, and when all the facts of the case are available, doubtless a statement will be made. NOT MENTIONED. • In. the cancer literature of recent years there are. no. references to the value of kerosene and allied substances in treatment. The oagerness of the medical profession to discover and apply any useful therapeutic agent for the cure, or even the relief, of patients ■ suffering from cancer is shown by the army of workers in the cancer institutes and laboratories in the leading countries of the world. It can truly be said that never before in the history of medicine has so much scientific energy and study been directed towards the cancer problem—a problem the solution of which, it is hoped is not far from our reach.