DEATHS FROM CANCER

Hokitika Guardian, 5 November 1927, Page 4

DEATHS FROM CANCER

SLIGHT INCREASE NOTED. Is cancer increasing in New Zealand? The answer to this question is given by Dr Noel K. H. Fulton, cancer research fellow, University of Otago, in a voluminous report, the result of twelve months’ study of the cancer problem in New Zealand, which report has been forwarded to the .Minister ol Health. At the commencement ol this investigation, sa vs Dr 1* niton, he set out to answer several questions, and which, ho states, it seems justifiable to answer as follows: ■1) Js cancer increasing in New Zealand:-' Answer: During the past twon- ' ty-iive years there has been a mortality I rate in New Zealand among persons of I the main cancer age group. This increase has been limited chiefly to cancer of the intestinal tract. (2) Is cancer rae among the Maoris? Answer: The methods of death certification among Maoris are j at present extremely unsatisfactory and unsound lor the purposes of investigating cancer incidence. It has been shown, however, that cancer is more common among the race than has previously been considered. t ,;{) What is the best method of investigating earner cases in New Zealand? Answer: By means of a questionairc tilled in by medical men attending cases of cancer of a few speciii, types, such as lip, tongue, breast. L uterus, and rectum. These iorms . should he sent to the cancer research fellow for classifying and further investi<£ittioii it necessary. (.|) What is the reason for recorded cancer death rate in Westland being higher, while that in Nelson is lower p than the New Zealand rates? Answer: „ This is due to deaths in the south e of Nelson district being registered in (Ireymouth (in the north ol Westland district! as the chief town of the district and location of the hospital. It is futile to attempt to compare the incidence of cancer in provincial districts by a study of the crude rates. (A) Oil what particular lines should further cancer research he carried out? s Answer: !.l) questionnaire for living ~ cancer eases—buccal cavity (the . ( , mouth), breast, rectum and uterus; I (2) particularly of all Maori deaths from ( | cancer, possibly including cancer among j, natives of islands adjacent to New Zealand ; (il) full particulars of all cancel' |., eases dying in mental hospitals; (I) natural duration ol buccal cavity, In-east, rectal and uterine cancers ; (5) II full particulars of all deaths Irom sar,c coma; d>) effect of X-ray and radium therapy after injection of colloidal copper; (7;. blood chemistry, especially with reference to calcium and potassium in cancer cases; iS) the question of optical activity and (-(implement fixatiou in the serum ol cancer cases. It is sincerely Imped, says Dr I 1 niton. in conclusion, that all members ot I the profession will interest themselves in this work and in this way assist in the further elucidation of the cancer problem in Xe w Zealand. The inquiry undertaken by Dr I 1 niton was made possible by donations Irom private sources which carried C lor C * subsidy from the Government. The main portion of the land was a gift of Clooo from Mrs Massey, of Invercargill, and a lurther bequest of CI OO was received from an ex-patient ol the Wellington Hospital. The sum of L‘2'2oo ’’ obtained in this way was handed over to Otago University. There is still II available a considerable balance, which ‘‘ will bo devoted to i\ continuation of the inquiry.