The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-09-29
CANCERS HIGH, UNNECESSARY
TOLL

1OI1I4s
Nine thousand three hundred resi-
dents of New York state will die of
cancer during the present year, 1921,
according to an estimate made by DR..
Francis Carter Wood, director of the
Institute of Cancer Research, Column
bia university. DIR. Wood, one of
those working in the interest of Ma
tional Cancer Week." to be held from
October 80 to November by the
American Society for the Control of
Cancer makes his estimate in the cur
rent issue of the II .alth News the
official organ of the New York State
Department of Health. His figures
are based IN mortality records, run
ming from 1915 when 9,4OO cases
proved fatal, to and including 1920,
when deaths numbered 10,2O0.
In a substantial majority of these
cases the patients could have been
saved, DIR. Wood declares. if they had
sought competent medical advice at
the inception of the disease and the
growths had been promptly removed.
1t is to bring home to the public the
importance of early diagnosis and
treatment that the foremost ply
sicians and surgeons of the country
are to inaugurate a nationwide cam
paign next month.
"Of the 10000 people who will die
from cancer during 1921" says the
noted authority. Approximately 400
will die from cancer of the mouth or
tongue; $500 will die from cancer Of
the stomach or liver; 800 from can
Ger of the intestines; 2,400 from can
Ger of female organs; 800 from can
Ger of the skin; and 1900 from can
Ger of various organs"
Every case of cancer of the skin
could be cured If all physicians were
sufficiently well informed and all pa
tients consulted them promptly on
the appearance of any slight irrita-
ton of the skin" DR.. Wood continues
"Of 1000 women who will die of can
GER of the breast, the majority could
be cured if seen and operated upon by
a competent surgeon within a few
weeks after the first appearance of
the lump in the breast; of the 1, 400
who will die from cancer of an in
ternal organ, 30 per cent could be
saved if only a diagnosis could be
made in time and proper treatment
given" DR.. Wood goes on to say
that deaths from cancer of the
tongue and mouth could be greatly
reduced by prompt diagnosis and
treatment, but he holds out less hope
for those afflicted with cancer of the
stomach. because "diagnostic methods
are inadequate and the symptoms OF
the disease are so obscure
Answering the question as to why
deaths have increased in New York
state, he says this is primarily due 20
the fact that a very small proportion
of those afflicted consult a physician
even when they know they have a
tumor. He gives as another factor
the unfortunate attitude of many
practitioners who feel that they must
wait until all the diagnostic char
acteristics of cancer have made their
appearance before sending a patient
to the surgeon.
DR.. Wood describes the disease as
"a growth of a persons own body"
At first it gives no pain or symptoms
and it is, therefore, difficult for the
ordinary person to discover unless the
growth can be felt. The scientist then
points out ways in which discovery in
many instances may be made by those
afflicted. Suspicious symptoms easily
recognized include a hard lump or
swelling, evidence of pressure, in
ternal bleeding, intestinal obstruction,
persistent hoarseness, growths in the
mouth, growths on the skin, and any
of the above attended by continuous
| loss in weight
DR.. Wood admits that diagnosis ia
| not always easy for general prac-
titioners and advises them to inform
themselves as to the newer methods,
including particularly the x-ray.
physicians must do their utmost to
Help by making the earliest possible
diagnosis at a time before the disease
has begun to spread thru the body
he warns. ut is only by such means
that the mortality from cancer can be
/ reduced"
Felt hat propaganda or some other
influence set the date for the close of