THE CANCER SCOURGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5009, 4 August 1926, Page 3

THE CANCER SCOURGE.

INCREASING PREVALENCE. The increasing prevalence of cancer is referred to by the'Director-General of Health (Dr. Valintihe.) in his annual report to Parliament, and the . opinion is expressed that it is reasonable to expect that the medical research that is being carried on throughout the world in regard to disease will in the near future throw further light on its prevention a ; nd treatment; > “Particular inquiry was made as to the scope of use for ■ radium by Dr. Watt and myself. during our visits overseas under the auspices of the League of Nations,” adds the Direc-tor-General. “In the United States many important teaching hospitals affiliated with medical schools, were without this agent. These hospitals, although not possessing radium, can, oil! course, draw easily upon other institutions in America for supply, of .radium emanations. This fact is< quoted not to indicate that a; prbihibition should be put upon the purchase of radium by the New Zealand hospitals, but to* emphasise the fact that the, steps taken by Cabinet to restrict its, purchase to the four main hospital boards was undoubtedly a wise one. It is still undecided- asi to the value of radium in the treatment of cahcer, but the reports of the. Medical Research Council (Great Britain) indicate that in certain cases satisfactory 'results have been achieved by the use of this element. In the meantime the department, by the circulation of suitable propaganda., is endeavouring to educate, the public as to its recognition, sbj as to afford the patient the chance of obtaining early medical treatment.”