Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-08
DURABILITY OF CANCER
Safety Lies in Early Consultation
With a Surgeon.

Will surgeon.
From the New York Herald
DR.. Nicholas Senn's statement in his
recent lecture on the Problem of Cancer
that fully 30 per cent of persons suffering
from the dreaded disease recover when
operated upon in its early stages will sur
prise many who have concluded that a
cure In any event is hopeless. Although
this percentage is much higher than any
previously admitted by surgical authori-
ties the distinguished professor evidently
mas good grounds for his opinion presum-
ably based on the most recent statistics of
improved operative measures
OF course the dreaded knife ia the only
consideration in estimating results. but
even this is now robbed of its terrers by
anaesthesia. by safety and accuracy in
extirnat!ng the growth and by the speedy
healing CT an aseptic wound. Contrasted
with all other methods of treatment-by
caustlcs, A-rays. radium. patent plasters,
serums and the like-it still holds it's own
against the apparently heavy odds I'm IA
vor of milder measures.
But even under such circumstances
everything depends upon early operation.
Most cases come to the surgeon when the
growth has gained too much of a start to
give any hope of absolute eradication.
Thus originates the general but erroneous
belief with the public that all cancers are
quite sure to recur no matter what treat
ment Is advised. Certainly there is much
need for widespread education to counter
act this idea, considering the ultimate and
melancholy issues at stake.
TO such end DR.. Sem advises the
establishment of a bureau of public in
formation On all questions concerning the
nature of the disease and its most recent
methods of accepted treatment. in order
that all may be duly protected from
quacks and pretenders and thus saved
from disappointment and Encouragement
in the end.
The daily press. however. is doing its
part in such directions. and there is much
hope that Zine upon line and precept upon
precept' will yet do its perfect work. The
Herald. thoroughly believing in such a
principle, has been untiring in its efforts
in such direction. To teach the people to
care for themselves in the broadcast posi-
BILE sense Is the highest Office of every i'm
partial, candid and truthful public monitor
The subject Of cancer, for instance, has
been repeatedly discussed in these col
umns. and no pains have been spared in
presenting the latest views of leading au-
thorities in the possibility Of its cause and
cure. With such support the Herald has
consistently advocated early operation and
the necessary use of the knife as the only
instrument Of promise The Herald there
fore is more than ready to agree with the
Views OF DIR. Sem, whose high authority
lends another link to the general argu-
ment for the only timely and available
trea ,nient.
Fat the main blame. IL such it can be
called. rests with the patient In his or
Ter taskwardness in seeking carly relief.
Human nature. however offers Its own
excuse. The victim hesitates to acknowl-
edge his infection and in the dread OF tie
ri ending ordeal temporizes with vain
hcre.
= He is not sufficiently impressed with the
fact that the disease at first is purely
local AMI no time is to be lost. Often
the nearest friends are debarred from
sharing his suspicious or offering advice.
For soma unaccOuntable reason cancer IS
considered stigmatized disease All! the
secret of it's existence is kept as ;ol;T As
nossible and until unbearabie suffering
T. was morning. but little lump at
srst accidentally discovered Its real
name was .tumor," but 1t could not mean
that But no "tumor as such can De
t,rIs; cd after the patient has passed the
sortieth year. From that time on mang
nancy always awaits its turn. Mhat
70 he done?'' is the question that Appeals
Simnle enough--take the only chance 'tt
by consulting your SUI geon.