The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-14
DENIES RADIUM CURES
Dr.. Russell Deplofes False Hope
for Sufferers"

In the neld OF cancer treatment and re-
search and chief of the N-ray department
OF the New York Skin and Cancer Hospi-
tai, writes in the current issue of the
Scientific American that lie has seen
nothing after repeated visits to all the
European centres where radium is used
TO prove that radium Is specific remedy
for cancer
He makes the statement after most
thorough investigation and backs II by
quotations from cancer experts in Eng
land ana France.
Dr. Russell deplores the publicity re-
Gently given To- statements OF doctors say
ing that radium has cured cancer growths
which resisted all other treatment. lie
says that while radlum may be helpful
in superficial cases, the opinion OF the
greatest experts Is that the knife. at the
earliest possible stage. IL the only sure
cure for cancer and that radium may be
OF value after an operation.
The expert Is emphatic In his state
ments because he believes that much
ha rIn has been done by the announce
ments Of cures through radium. lie says
that it influences victims Of cancer who
should submit to the knife 10 defer
operations until too late
Earnest Efforts Defeated.
Just as the enrnest efforts of those
interested In n popular campaign against
cancer are beginning to bear fruit, he
writes and our patients are realizing
tn. necessity OF operation. comes the
positive statement, heralded over the
country. that the dread disease can be
cured by radium. The statement is all
the more harmful because Il purports 10
come from eminent surgeons and further
because there IL an element OF truth IN
what has been reported"
q n
cidents OF cancer victims who delayed
operations through hope ~ som" cure
other than the knife. There Is no more
damnable scheme" he says. than that
which works upon the creduity OF the
incurable sick with promise of cure,
Now comes the cancer cure by radium."
he continues. That radium has Its field
Of usefulness in the treatment OF certain
conditions. particularly of benign erowths,
Is not to be denied. but the statement Of
enthusiastic advocates that the radio
active material will cure cancer Is to bc
challenged. \ proper degree OF enthus-
asm Is laudable but only when it is tenn
pered with scientific scepticism.
Those who have had the most expert
ence with rad!um ar. not prepared TO
state just what the effect IL upon cancer,
The crucial point IL just what may bc
considered cure in cancer? We have
seen many cases come 10 the hospital In
which the primary growth had disap-
peared under radium trradiation. but with
immense metastases appearing some
months afterward.
us II justihable to record and report
such cases as cures? Decidedly no a
case cannot be said to be cured OF cancer
until five years have elapsed without
recurrence We are testing many meth
DDS OF treatment at the Skin and Cancer
Hospital. but while we are getting inter
estipg and encouraging results from some.
We would not he dealing honestly with
our patients nor with those who look to
us for our opinions II We made more posi-
tive statements for some time TO como
1.-THE effect OF radium cannot be cor
rectly Judged unless comparatively large
amounts of high radioact!vity are EN-
ployed and unless the proper technique
Is used The employment OF a radium
salt with "A low activity. although the bulk
may be large. VIII not produce results.
1t IL said that one surgeon who was using
a considerable quantity of a radium prepar-
alton without result had II tested by a re-
liable expert. and was told there was no
trace OF radium whatever In the ma
terial."
DIR. Russell tells Of reports made by
Drs. Wickham and Degrais OF the Paris
Laboratory TO the effect that radlum has
only n local and palliative effect, although
In certain cases Of cancer n state OF APP
parent cure has remained for several years.
Those doctors advocate radium be used
after operation for cancer. DR.. Russell
says there Ii no warrant for saying
radium Is a cure for malignant tumors.