Fight Against Cancer

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 724, 25 July 1929, Page 8

Fight Against Cancer

Auckland Helps to Combat Disease

THE incidence of cancer in New Zealand makes it imperative that the public be awakened to the vital necessity for undertaking- research investigation. The victims of the disease must have the same chance of being cured as those, more fortunate, in whom the disease has been arrested. Only by research can this chance be given.

A social and humanitarian problem, it demands deep thinking and action by the city. Self preservation must be the guiding principle. The most alarming feature is that statistics show a definite increase' of deaths from cancer, and Auckland medical men confirm this. They do not know, however, if the deaths are a true index of the extent of sufferers from the disease. It is believed, however, that the progress of surgery combined with radiation and radium treatment has increased the number of cures. Not by any means do all the cases treated end in death. But the absence of reof incidence make it impossible for the medical men to ascertain what, percentage of the people treated recover, and thus assist them to decide what treatment is most effective against certain types of the disease. It is known, however, that the death rate from cancer among people over 40 years of age is one in seven. City medical men declare that some form of compulsory notification should be enforced for sufferers from the disease. Registration could be effected by numeral or by a code that would be preserved with the same secrecy with which the doctor holds the confidence of his own patients. RESEARCH WORK WANTED Even now many cancer victims are not told of their ailment because of the natural horror and mental agony it causes; others insist on being told, but do not like others to know. In the last few years increased facilities have been provided in Auckland in laboratory equipment which has been of immense benefit in combating the disease. The Auckland Hospital is particularly well equipped for this purpose, microscopic examination having proved invaluable in determining many doubtful cases.

The principal issue is whether Auckland is going to lead New Zealand in the war against cancer, or lag behind other centres. It is imperative that a branch of the British Empire Cancer Research Association should be established here, if only in the interests of

the public. It Is considered, also, that public social and health organisations should take the initial steps in connection with the formation of this body, and call upon the medical profession in an advisory capacity. The best means of educating the public to recognise the first symptoms of the disease and the necessity of seeking medical advice is one of the most important aspects in fighting the scourge of cancer. This work could he performed by such voluntary social service organisations as the National Council of Women and the St. John Ambulance Association, which by propaganda could keep the people well informed as to the small signs that precede the disease. IMEDiCAL CO-ORDINATION One of the greatest problems confronting the medical profession is the lack of a follow-up system that would indicate the extent to which treatments have been efficacious in arresting the disease, which has completely cured victims and what percentage of those treated die from the disease. At present, so far as records are concerned, they cease on discharge of the patient from hospital. Doctors cannot possibly keep a record of all who pass through their hands, and consequently the known results of treatment are chaotic. Here again voluntary social sen-ice organisation could play a big part in keeping a special chart of the treatments. Lack of co-ordination between medical men in study of the disease in various patients is another problem that the Auckland profession is considering seriously, and it is more titan likely that necessary co-operation will be given in the near future. To what extent should patients be aggregated in one hospital for treatment? Medical men express no opinion, beyond stating that the question of determining whether Auckland shall have a hospital for treating cancer lies after all with the public, through the board.