CANCER IN DOMINION.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 October 1921, Page 5

CANCER IN DOMINION.

DEPARTMENT’S ATTITUDE. RADIUM TO EASE. PAIN. The annual report of the Public Health Department states that of the non-notifiable diseases, the increase in the death rate from cancer is most noticeable, although the year 1920 showed a slight drop, there being 8.72 deaths per 10,000 persons living, as against 9.07 in the previous year:— In spite of the exhaustive researches of the Cancer Commission, which have extended over a considerable period of years, there is very little more known as to the cause or causes of this dreadful disease. It has been suggested, and not without reason, that as the deaths from cancer are increasing in this, as well as in other civilised countries, this department should undertake researches into the causes of the disease, but for such research work the worth of the data, to be obtained in a comparatively small community such as ours is not to be compared with that of larger countries. Moreover, a very considerable increase in our staff would be necessary to make the exhaustive inquiries involved. We cannot do better, therefore, than solicit the co-operation of the practising members of the ■‘profession in the gathering of data relative to patients, anti await the report of the reesarches which are being conducted under the auspices of the Cancer Commission in the United Kingdom in collaboration with other authorities in Europe and in America.

Frequent inquiries from time to time have been made with regard to the efficiency of radium in the treatment of this disease, and as to the extent of which the department would subsidise any sums raised for the purpose of providing this useful element for our public hospitals. Though I understand the results of the treatment are not as yet convincing, there is no doubt that radium is most useful in alleviating the pain of the disease, and its purchase is justifiable, if only on that account. I understand, however, from members of the profession who have had considerable experience in the use of radium that to procure a sufficient quantity for the purpose of treating cancer approximately £50.000 would be required. Some £5OOO worth of radium was procured for the Dunedin Hospital, and as matters now stand it would be better to concentrate on the Dunedin Hospital for the carrying out of this treatment, at any rate for the present, especially as radium emanations can be sent to any part of the country, than to try and supply all our chief hospitals with this very "expensive and mysterious element.