Evening star., 1939-10-19
Promising Outlook
To Control Cancer
In i. ). Is Seen
Four Approaches to
Problem Declared
Yielding Results
BY STEPHEN ]. McDONOUGH
Associated Press Science Writer.

ASSOClatcd fre6e science writer.
PITTSBURGH, Oct. 19.-The pros
poets for the control of cancer in
the United States are very promis-
ipg," DR.. Ludwig Hektoen, director
of the Governments Cancer Ad-
visory Council. told the American
Public Health Association today.
The Council, established by Con-
gress in 1887. is assisting in the
training of cancer experts, the dis
tributiOn of radium, the develop
ment of research on the problem of
cancer and the education of the
public, he said, and all four ap-
proaches to the cancer problem are
yielding tangible results.
Success in the treatment of can
Ger grows with the increase in the
skill, experience and equipment de-
voted to clinical cancer service to
patients and especially the earlier
action of the part of the patient" in
seeking cancer treatment, DR.. HEX
toen declared.
$750,00 Appropriated.
The aim of the Cancer Council Is
to try to provide treatment for every
cancer patient, mo matter what his
means or the stage of his cancer
are he added.
With the $4,000 appropriated by
Congress for cancer control work,
the council has already purchased
and is loaning 100000 worth Of
radium, without charge, to hospitals
and universities for cancer treat
ment and research, and is now about
to set up the new Cancer Research
Institute in Washington under the
United States Public Health Service,
DR.. Hektoen reported.
| A unique feature Of that institute
is that it brings together for the
first time in one laboratory a staff
of 80 competent scientists who are
experts in physics, biochemistry,
chemistry, biology, pharmacology.
pathology and bacteriology to make
a concentrated attack on the can
Ger problem and to correlate their
findings on the problem of what
| AiAd dhSo Alo2 AAAo2 SSA4o 6O wiz dllu SaoSS
cancer" the council director added.
One of the principal research
projects now being carried out under
the councils auspices is that of Prof
E. o. Lawrence of the University
of California in which atomic rays
are being treated to determine their
effect on cancer. Indications are
that they may be more effective than
either X-rays or radium in treat
ment.
Group Health Program Hailed.
Another public health service Off
Ger, DR.. R. c. Williams, declared that
the group health aid program of the
Farm Security Administration for
poor farm families has proven q
boon" to more than 100000 such
families in rehabilitating them.
The program, under which the ad-
ministration allots definite amount
in its loans for prepaid medical care
"is essentially special program for
an underprivileged group of farm
people" and lis giving new oppor-
tunities and aid in their effort to get
back on their feet" he declared
Pneumonia. third leading public
health enemy" in the United States
may be brought under control dur
ing the coming winter, according to
reports before the association yes
terday. Science has promise of con-
quering it more effectively than with
any previously known methods.
Serums and oxygen tents, along
With adequate nursing care, have Until
recently been the principal methods
of treating pneumonia. These will
still be used in this winters CAM
paign. However, DR.. Lloyd D. FELTON,
of the National Institute of Health,
Washington, D. c., told the asso-
citation that great promise" exists