The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-12-30
The DURABILITY
OF CANCER

DIR. Nicholas Senns statement in his
recent lecture on the Problem of Can
cer'' that fully so per cent, of persons
suffering from the dreaded disease re-
cover when operated upon in it's early
stages will surprise many who have
concluded that cure in any event is
hopeless. Although this percentage IS
much higher than any previously adj
mitted by surgical authorities the dis
tingufshed professor evidently has
good grounds for his opinion, presum-
ably based on the most recent statis-
tics of improved operative measures.
OF course the dreaded knife Is the
only consideration in estimating re-
suits, but even this is now robbed Of
its terrms by anaesthesia, by safety
and accuracy in extirpating the growth
and by the speedy healing Of an aseptic
woun. Contrasted with all other
methods CT treatment-by caustics, *
rays, radium. patent plasters. serums
and the like-it still holds its own
against the apparently heavy odds In
favor of milder measures.
But even under such circumstances
everything depends upon early opera
ton Most cases come to the surgeon
when the growth has gained too much
of a start to give any hope of absolute
eradication. This originates the gen.
eral but erroneous belief with the pub
lie that all cancers are quite sure TO re-
cur no matter what treatment Is ao-
vised. Certainly there is much need
for widespread education to counteract
this idea, considering the ultimate and
melancholy issues at stake.
To such an end DIR. Sem advises the
establishment OF a bureau Of public IN
formation on all questions concerning
the nature of the disease andeits most
recent methods of accepted treatment.
in order that all may be duly protected
from uuacks and pretenders and thus
saved from disappointment and dis
cou,a cement in the end.
The daily press. however, is doing its
part in such directions, and there is
much hope that Zine upon line and
OIL ecept upon precept" win yet do Its
perfect work. The Herald, thoroughly
believing in such a principle. has been
untiring in it's efforts in such direc-
ton. To teach the people to care for
themselves in the broadcast possibls
partial, candid and truthful public
monitor
The subject of cancer, for instance.
ha. been repeatedly discussed in these
columns, and no pains have been spared
in presenting the latest views OF lead
ins authorities in the possibility of It's
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 prom
Use. The Herald therefore is more
than ready to agree with the views OF
DR.. Sem. whose high authority LENDS
another link to the general argument
for the only timely and available
treatment
But the main blame, il such it can be
called. rests with the patient In his OF
her backwardness in seeking early re-
lief Human nature. however. ofIerS ils
own excuse. The victim hesitates To
acknowledge his infection and in the
dread of the impending ordeal tenn
porizes with q vain hope
He is not sufficiently impressed WIFE
The fact that the disease at nrst In
purely local and no time is to be iost.
Often the nearest friends are deoarreu
from sharing his suspicious or oHerlhs
advice
For some unaccountable reason can
a.r in considered a stfgmatized disease.
and the secret OF it's existence Is kept
as long as possible and until unbear-
able suffering forces the avowal
IT was nothing but q little lump 81
first. accidentally discovered. Its real
name was .'tumor.'' but 1t could nor
mean that. But no "tumoF a. SUCK
Gan be trusted after the patient Aas
passed the fortieth year. From tha'
trrae on r1alfgnancy always awaits lts
turn. whats to be doner In TINS
question that appeals. Simple. enough
take the only chance left by consulting
your surgeon.-New York Herald.