CANCER SCOURGE

Hokitika Guardian, 14 May 1930, Page 2

CANCER SCOURGE

DR, A. M. BEGG’S WORK

STATISTICAL INQUIRY.

DUNEDIN, May 8. Some aspects of the cancer scourge were discussed yesterday by Dr A. M. Begg, who was recently appointed to carry out research work in connection with cancer at the Otago Medical School. Dr Begg addressed a meeting of the Cancer Fund Committeie.

Dealing with post-investigations ana the prospects- of an ultimate complete cure, Dr Begg stated that banter was not a new disease, its existence having been known for at least 3000 year’s. He went on to deal with the various theories propounded in connection with the. disease since 1500 8.C., and explained what had been done in the way of research work.

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

Dr Begg then proceeded to give an outline of the proposed plans for the future.

The first plan suggested was a statistical inquiry with the object of finding out the ordinary incidence of cancer, If they' found that out they might be able to'take steps‘to avoid predisposition to the disease. li 1

The be-all and end-all in the treatment of cancer was to take it in hand' early, It was very important 'that.' once cancer had been treated by sui’gl ery or radium the patients should 1 pay regular visits to : the ■ clinic. 'Such a course seemed troublesome, perhaps, 1 when there was no sign of the ditease, but it should be borne dn' mind that cancer had a habit of rectirring; and this proposal was in the patient’s own interests. Once cancer had been treated, those in charge of the clinic would be on. the watch for its reappearnce and would be able to deal with it immediately if a recurrence took place.

EXPERIMENTAL WORK

Speaking of experimental work, Dr Begg said they had been promised-as-sistance ffronv notable laboratories at Home.. In Dunedin : there- -was' only 'a? small /laboratory, but * that, did not mean that igood work was impossible! - Research in treatment could be caried out here with every, hope of success; because of the. excellent collections, of tumours they had'to work upon, >,';•} The actual .effect of radium on dis-. ease was an ; interesting, study.' At present many cages; l treated: .with- ractium did not result in complete oures. Cancer, was to recurring for that, but. there was still a great deal to be done: They were fortunate to-day in having a clearly, defined problem to work upon.

CURE YET TO BE FOUND.

The cure for cancer would yet be found and although the past had produced nothing sensational or spectacular a great deal of valuable work had been done. They could do no more than their best, but he could assure his hearers that the very best endeavours would be put forward by those engaged in the work.

1467 DEATHS LAST YEAR

•Cancer accounted for 1467 deaths in New Zealand last year, the highest figure on record and an increase of 93 on the total in 1928. The toll of the motor is regarded with increasing alarm, but the aggregate of 197 victims of motor vehicle accidents last year is less than one-seventh of the total claimed by cancer. Deaths from cancer last year averaged 10.43 for every 10.000 of population in the Dominion.

In a review of the causes of death last year the Government Statistician states: “The cancer problem shows no sign of abating. If any stimulus is needed to the intensity of the cancer campaign inaugurated in New Zealand, it should be found in the record for this disease of 1929. Cancer claims most of its victims after they have attained the age of 40 years, and of all persons over 40 years of age whose death was registered during 1929, one in every seven died of cancer.”