The Times. Published on Tuesday and Friday Afternoons. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1921. MORTALITY FROM CANCER.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 676, 21 October 1921, Page 4

The Times. Published on Tuesday and Friday Afternoons.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1921. MORTALITY FROM CANCER.

Attention is once more directed by the annual report of the Health Department to the Dominion’s high mortality from cancer. The rate was slightly lower than last year, but the disease remains the most fatal on the list. The scourge of cancer is worldwide, and at a time when every other great disease is becoming less of a menace than it was, the menace of cancer is steadily decreasing. Though much money is being spent on research, in Europe and the world still remains with little new light. Environment plays a small part in it, for the rich suffer equally with the poor. Food is advanced as a cause, and this view is supported by the distinguished Professor Ehrlich. Other research workers affirm that cancer is unknown within the Arctic Circle, 1 and that climate is a factor. Others believe the disease to be > an after result of other affections. It seems that both radium and X-

rays have succeeded in some cases and failed in others. Operation in the very early stages has been more successful than any other treatment. An immense amount of work has still to be done , before much will really be known. It is work of the utmost importance to every person living. Dr. Valentine, in his annual report, thinks New Zealand should leave research work in cancer to Europe and America, with their greater faculties, and probably he is right. The London Times however, in recent articles declares that the scale of cancer research is too small.

“We nothing extenuate, nor aught set down in malice.”