Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-07-13
CANCER Durable IN EARLY
STAGES.

In the present state OF knowledge
the chief hope of reducing the cancer
death rate is found in early recogni-
ton of the disease followed by prompt
and competent surgical treatment.
Thousands OF lives now needlessly
sacrificed could be saved il the aver
age cancer patient would go TO the sur
geOn as promptly as does the average
person attacked by appendicitis. Nor
is there any reason why the cancer
patient should not seek this, the only
safe treatment, with the same high de-
gree of confidence in the outcome that
IS now common among those suffering
from the latter disease. Unfortunate
", the evidence is only too clear that
a different attitude toward cancer pre-
walls and occasions many preventable
deaths. The almost superstitious
dread of the disease and unwilling
ness to admit its existence or to seek
medical advice in time are we'll known
and difficult obstacles to progress in
its control. Proof of this fatal neglect
is found in the experience of n New
York surgeon who recently studied his
case records in order to obtain edit
mite information as to the delay in the
average case. Among his last two
thousand patients there were Sc cases
OF cancer. Sixty-f1ve of these had
never been operated on, and came to
him as new cases. OF the 66 patients,
% were men and 80 were women.
Further study OF these 90 cases
showed that after the first discovery
of a tumor, or after the first suspi-
cious symptoms the men had waited
an average of 1872 months before con-
sulting the surgeon, and the women
had waited 11.9 months; practically
a years delay in all cases. Another
well known surgeon in a recent public
address confirmed this estimate from
his own experience. Winter of Koen-
igsberg, Prussia, the pioneer in the
education OF the public in regard to
cancer, analysed the records of 1,O62
operable cases and showed that 81
per cent of these patients could and
should have applied for treatment
much earlier. when they would have
had a far higher chance OF recovery
than was actually the case.
To the delay after the symptoms
are manifest must be added before the
patient recognizes the trouble. This
period can be shortened BY education.
Fortunately the symptoms OF cancer
are present quite early and can usu-
ally be recognized II the patient under
stands their Importance. In too many
instances, however, the disease Is not
suspected until the symptoms are
pronounced or until there is a tumor
OF considerable size. II we assume
that this period averages six months,
and then add the years delay for
which the patient is responsible, we
find that the average patient does not
seek advice until at least a year and
half after the onset OF cancer. This
precious time thrown away means. II |
not a fatal outcome. at least a serious
instead OF a minor operation. Sci
ence has not yet found the cause of
cancer. IL Is not known how Il is
contracted or how II is transmitted |
from one patient 10 another. We do |
not know how TO prevent II. Some day
We will know. Meanwhile, cancer is |
increasing rapidly. The best advice |
and the only advice that can be given |
10 the public. with our present knowI- |
edge, is. TO have every suspicious sore |
or lump removed and removed early.