Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-07-01

elusive. cancer figures held within the
700 limit for yearly deaths, while be-
fore that time. back to- 1900. the
526 to SIT. s
Dr. L. D. Bristol. State commits
sioner of health, gives a word of en-
| couragement, however, when he
says:
Cancer is undoubtedly on the in
crease, not only here in Maine, but
throughout the civilized world. The
situation is not as dark, however, as
the mere comparison of statistics
would seem to Indicate. A share of
this increase in cancer deaths is more
apparent than real and for two caus-
es. In the first place, causes of
| death are being more accurately re-
| ported each year and many cases of
| cancer deaths which in former years
would not have been reported as
such, are now included in the pres
ent figures which make up the cancer
death rate.
And, again, physicians, as a result
| of modern investigation and study,
cancerous conditions and in this
manner many deaths accordingly
which would formerly have been at
tributed to unknown or other causes
are now,reported in their true signifi-
canoe as cancer.
"Subtracting from the total death
figures from this disease, however, a
fair percentage for increase through
better diagnosis and more complete
reporting Of vital statistics. there
still remains a margin of increase
| which is actual and real.
why cancer is on the increase is
still unknown to medical science,
but the facts of the dread disease
which are known are sufficient to al
low the medical profession to give
encouraging advice. Too much stress
cannot be placed upon the necessity
OF treating cancer early if it is to be
cured. Insignificant Jumps or a
variety of condition which as yet
cause no pain or inconvenience but
which are suspicious of some coming
growth should be brought to the at
| tention of a physician Immediately,
for early cure and treatment means
the saving of life, and cancer when
left untreated until it really becomes
painful is often too far advanced for
any help. That cancer Is not con-
tagious, is not inherited and is cur
able If taken early, is the encourag-
partment of Health is glad to extend
to the people of the State"
OF the many forms Of cancer, can
Ger Of the liver. and Of the stoma CHI
cause the largest number Of deaths,
undoubtedly because such cancers
cannot be reached by the surgeon.
Cancer Of the female generative or
gans stand third in the death toll
from this disease. While more women
than men die of the disease through
the peculiar. susceptibility of the
generative organs to cancer, more
cases Of cancer Of other types are
found among men,. For example:
Cancer of the mouth is very prevalent
among men, brought on by excessive
smoking. Cancer is caused by
chronic irritation of some part of the
body, and the clay pipe, which so
many men use, is held responsible
for many cancers Of the lip.
Health workers and physicians
throughout the world are concentrat-
ing on the cancer problem, and from
the aid obtained from vital statistics
and from research work, some ma :
terial steps are being taken in hand
ling the disease. Public education of
its causes and the need for early
treatment is the primary step in the
cancer campaign.