Albuquerque morning journal., 1922-07-05

val standpoint. 1t is thought OF as
an affliction so terrible that no one
must admit, even to himself, that
he has II until the worst is de-
finitely known. A lump that grows
with sinister regularity is Gust a
little tumor." And if it turns out
to be a cancer the victim comforts
himself with the thought that
nothing could have been done any
way.
Doctors estimate that a whole
year passes in the average cancer
case before the patient grows suf-
Ificiently alarmed to consult an ex"
pert. BY that time the disease may
have spread so through the body
that even though the local cancer
lous growth is removed the trouble
may appear elsewhere.
Durable in Early Stage.
This is unfortunate, we are told,
because it is so unnecessary. With
Iall the mystery tnat surrounds can
Ger one fact shines out. That can
Ger in its early, local stage is de-
finitely durable. Once it spreads
20 the glands and through the blood
are practically helpless.
The difficulty is to make peo-,
/ pie understand the symptoms ana
1.-The danger of delay in obtaining
diagnosis and treatment. Cancer Is
not like typhoid or scarlet fever,
diseases that run a swift course and
leave the body. 1t is more like the
lattack of decay in a tooth. 1t inli
plants itself insidiously in an indi-
Iyidual, perhaps without any warn
ling OF pain. In some mole, or scar.
or tiny sore, a few normal cells be-
leone lawless. As one doctor puts
lit, the cells lose their ability TO
live a community existence; the.
go crazy.
At first their Wild course does
little apparent injury. II the wild
| cells are near the surface of the
skin an abnormal condition is
| generally noticed in an unusual
growth or appearance. The trou-
| blesome cells are growing and a
/ poison is being manufactured.
The destructive work is begun. 1t
is in this local stage that the
wild cells can be controlled. The
American Society for the Control
! of Cancer is urging that a lump
, or other suspicious symptom
! should be examined by COM
| petent physician as soon as 1t is
noted-within 48 hours il pos
| sible--instead of allowing it to
| go for a year untreated.
Like a decaying tooth, cancer
! Gus tissue left alone goes from
bad to worse. 1t is estimated that
tho disease untreated is prac-
tically 100 per cent fatal. On the
other hand, even with the delays
that make treatment more diff
cult. doctors estimate that so
per cent of the cases that they
handle are cured. They say that
it is unfortunate that so little no.
tice is taken of cures. Patients
who have been successfully
treated often try to keep their
illness a secret, because of the
popular fear of the disease. The
lingering, malignant cases get
publicity and more firmly instilI
lurid ideas of cancer in the
minds of the public.
I'VE have heard too much
about these last stages of the
disease" says one member of the
local cancer control committee
almost every one can recount
the history of some fearful case.
What we need is more knowledge
of the durable stage"
No one knows yet the origin of
cancer. Doctors are practically
agreed that 1t is not hereditary
1t is certainly not contagious
Persistent irritation Is frequently
primary cause. Any article o.
clothing that is allowed to rub
and irritate the skin for long
periods of time is dangerous.
When women wore chatelaine
watches on pins, doctors traced
some cases of cancer of the
breast to the watch swinging 10
and fro over one spot.
A jagged tooth or an i'll fitting
plate may irritate the tongue and
IL the condition is allowed to con-
tinue and an open sore forms
cancer may set in. II the little
white spot that sometimes forms
VI nv s'''S Wv VI n PiPO SHlOhHE is
allowed to become chronic it is a
possible starting point for cam
Ger. So is any other sore that
will not heal. A wart or mole
is ordinarily dangerous only it It
changes color or grows or other
wise takes on an abnormal an
pearance. Any growth or lump
should be examined.
More insidious and more diff;.
cult to discover are the internal
cancers. The disease rarely At
tacks persons under S5. After
that age man who suffers from
chronic indigestion with loss of
weight and a woman whose phys-
ical functions become irregular or
abnormal have suspicious symp.
toms that should not be ne.
| elected.
1t is as important to know
something of the cures for can.
Ger as 1t is to know the general
! symptoms. The American So
ciety for the Control of Cancer
says there is no medicine. serum
or vaccine that will cure this
disease. No paste nor plaster
will benefit It. Furthermore, pa.