The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1914-08-01
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
ABOUT CANCER.

Cancer is almost invariably at first
a local disease 1t is easily cured If
promptly recognized and at once re-
moved by competent treatment. 1t is
practically always incurable in its
later stages.
The disease usually begins in some
unhealthy spot or some point OF local
irritation. In external cancer there is
something to be seen or felt, such as
wart, mole, a lump or scab, or an
unhealed wound or sore. Pain is rarely
present.
Cancer inside the body is often rec
ognized by symptoms before a lump
can be seen or felt, Persistent indi-
gestion, with loss of weight and change
Of color, is always especially suspic-
ious. Persistent abnormal discharge
from any part of the body should
arouse the suspicion of cancer, par
ticularly if the discharge is bloody.
The early and hopeful stages of cancer
are usually painless.
If you notice that wart, mole or
other mark begins to change In ap-
pearance or to show signs of irritation
go to physician and have it complete.
lly removed. Do not wait until you
are sure it is cancerous. All Jumps in
the breast should be examined. In
women the normal change of life does
not lead to increased flowing, which
is always suspicious, as is the return
of flowing after it has stopped.
Medicine which relieves poin does
not have any effect upon the disease
itself; it simply produces a period OF
freedom from discomfort and there
fore delays the proper treatment.
According to the most authoritative
opinion the curative effects of radium
are practically limited to-day to super
fetal cancers of the skin, and to super
fetal growths of mucous membranes
and certain deeper-lying tumors OF
bone, ETC., which are not very malig-
Liant. Radium has probably been
shown to exert a definitely curative
effect on certain of these cases, while
the disease is still local and in the
early stages
Radium definitely relieves suffering
when used, in the advanced stages OF
!. deeper-seated cancers; but In those
cases it improves only the visible or
tangible manifestations and exerts nc
effect upon the disseminated disease
as a whole. 1t is believed that there
is as yet no proof that radium has
finally cured any case of advanced and
disseminated cancer.
The public should take warning
against dishonest and fake, money
getting radium-cure establishments
conducted by individuals who possess
little or no radium, and have no knowl
e edge of it's use. These people promise
b cures. but are, in reality, unable t6
obtain even those palliative effects
: which are possible from radium.
: The best results of radium therapI
: can be secured only when compare
lively large amounts are available fol
!. use, and the present limited world!
: supply of this metal places it out o
: reach of the great majority of patients
o The only cure. for cancer is to re
: move every vestige of the disease
r The only sure way to do this is by
!. surgical operation. If, taken at tn
beginning, the majority. of cases O
cancer are durable. All cases will en-
in death if let alone.
Records of our best hospitals prov
20 that the chances of cure are very hig
IF with early operation, and that thes
chances decrease with every day c
% delay. Early diagnosis is therefor
# all-important i,
ID The American Society for the Col
ul troll of Cancer is studying hospit;
he records and will spread NATIONWIDE
is the message of courage and hope
ar early recognition and prompt oper
ill Ition for the disease, by publishing CT
err cuiars and articles in newspapers an
magazines, and by organizing lecture
and public meetings.
ne Thoughtful and influential people ca
ne help this work by joining the societ
A Write to the office, 289 Fourth Avenu
of New York City, for further inform
be ton A circular from the society
I'D before us.