Evening journal., 1906-11-12
Editorial Opinion
Tho DURABILITY Of Cancer.

New York Herald.
DR.. Nicholas Senn's statement in hi
recent lecture on the Problem Of Can
Ger" that fully fifty per cent Of per
sons suffering from the dreaded diseas.
recover when operated upon in its
early stages will surprise many who.
have concluded that cure In any event
is hopeless. Although this percent
age is much higher than any previously
admitted by surgical authorities tho
distinguished 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 results
/ but even this is now robbed of its ter
rors by anaesthesia, by safety and ac-
curacy in extirpating the growth and
by the speedy healing Of an aseptio
wound. Contrasted with all Other
methods Of treatment-by caustics,
X-rays, radium, patent plasters,
serums and the like-it still holds It's
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 start to give any hope Of absolute
eradication Thus originates the gem
eral but erroneousbeliefwith the public
that all cancers are quite sure to re-
cur no matter what treatment is adj
vised. Certainly there is much need
for widespread education to counter.
act this idea, considering the ultimate
/ ...1rr at rfa
To such an end DR.. Sem advises the
establishment Of 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 dis
lcouragement in the end.
The daily press, however Is doing
its part in such directions, and there
is much hope that 'line upon line and
precept upon precept' viii yet do It's
perfect work The Herald thoroughly
believeving in such a principle, has
j been untiring in its efforts in such
Hdirection. To teach the people to care
for themselves in the broadest possible
sense is the highest office Of every i'm
r partial, candid and truthful public
: monitor.
The ubject of cancer, for instance,
= has been repeatedly discussed In these
! columns, and no pains have been spar
ed in presenting the latest views OF
leading authorities in the possibility Of
, its cause and cure. With such support
, the Herald has consistently advocated
D early operation and the necessary use
, OF the knife as the only instrument oi
promise. The Herald therefore is more
than ready to agree with the views of
DE-. Sem. who high authority lends an
other link to the general argument To-
the only timely and available treat
4 ment.
But the main blame if such it can BE-
called, rests with the patient IN his
2 or her bacl5wardness in seeking earn
( relief. Human nature. however, offer
+ its own excuse. The victim hesitate
J. to acknowledge his infiction, and f.
r the dread OF the impending ordel
temporizes with a vain hope
:, He is not sufficiently impressed wit
q the fact that the disease at first
= purely local and no time is TO be los
s often the nearest friends are debarrG
o from sharing his suspicious or offerii
: advice.
For some unaccountable reason ca
y Ger is considered a stigmatlzed disen
+ and the secret Of its existence is he.
o as long as possible and until unbeal-
n able suffering forces the avowal
e 1t was nothing but a little lump
at first. accidentally discovered II.
p real name was "tumor. but it could no
y mean th9t. But no "tumor" as such car
'e be trusted after patient has passed th'
u fortieth year. From that time on malig-
3 nancy always awaits its turn. What.
q to be done?" is the question that ap
a peals. Simple enough-take the onll
IL chance left by consulting your surgeon