Evening star., 1942-04-24
Public Is Warned
To Drop Apathy 10
Check Fatal Cancer
Doctors Emphosizs Thot
Cures Hove Been Mode
By Prompt Treatment

Lures nUVe oeeH Wouo
By Prompt Treatment
Authorities on cancer. addressing
. public meeting last night OF N
headquarters OF the District Medical
Society, brought . message at enoe
encouraging and alarming.
They had words OF cheer for thoes
who will heed the doctors and not
delay diagnosis and treatment WHARF
there In the slightest suspicion
of the disease. Such potential
patients were told that early
cancer Ia distinctly durable. But
there was no optimism for those
who prefer neglect and snawing fear.
There was only the ominous re-
minder that cancer. unhindered. al
lowed its devastating course, II 100
per cent fatal.
Speakers who attacked public
apathy were DR. Carl voegtlin, chief
of the National Cancer Institute.
DR.. George c. Rutland. District
health ofhcer. and DR.. Herbert p.
Ramsey. chairman of the District
Obstetrical Board. DR.. II. II. Kerr,
chairman OF the District Medical
society's Committee on Cancer Con-
troll, presided.
Cites Significant Findings.
DR.. Voegtlin explained how scien-
lists at the Cancer Institute In
Bethesda. Md, had been able TO pro-
duce internal cancers In mice from
. chemical compounded from bile
and skin cancers In the rodents by
systematic exposure to ultra violet
rays, the same effect which would
be brought about by too much and
too intense sunlight. He expressed
confidence that these highly signif-
cant findings and others which
might be expected eventually would
draw the curtain from the mystery
which has surrounded the cause Of
cancer.
DR.. voegtlin also explained how
certain types OF malignancies had
been controlled and cured In mice
by special diets.
At the present moment, he en-
phasized, half . million Americans
have cancer. One-fourth of these
cases could be cured under perfect
medical conditions, evan with the
present imperfect knowledge Of the
disease, he said.
DR.. Vocgtlin pointed TO an In
crease In annual cancer fatihtiss
from iI7,ooo to $4,000, approxi-
mately, between 1880 and is4o--
about 30 per cent. He explained,
however, that much of this In
crease was attributable to the higher
longevity which had accomplished
control OF certain other diseases and
general improvement In health con-
ditions, because the longer q per-
son lives the more he Is apt to fall
prey to such disorders OF the later
years ~ cancer and heart disease.
Speaking on Cancer In Womsn,"
Or. Ramsey said: Tear Is de-
structive-common sense ID con-
structivs."
Advised Check for Wemsn.
He advised all women 50 years old
or over TO have regular medical
checkups and to consult their phyn-
clans on the slightest suspicion Of
cancer, pointing out that many
symptoms which might indicate the
disease turned out to be from Sonae
unimportant cause and that, even
where q malignant tumor was found,
early treatment was almost certain
to bring cure.
In the four stages Of cancer gsn.
orally classified by doctors. hs said,
even In the fourth and most severe
stage, Sla per cent Of cures have
been recorded: In the third stage, "a
per cent. In the second stage, 81 per
cent, and In the hrst stage, more
than 81 per cent. BY cures, he sx-
planned, he meant that at least ave
years had elapsed without q recur-
renee Of the trouble.
OF the 5000 annual deaths N
Washington. Or. Ruhland reported,
more than 1000, or around u per
cent, were caused by cancer. Dr.
Rutland pointed out that many Of
these deaths could have been avoided
II the patients had bsen placed
under uedical care in time.
In the District. he said. there are
eight hospitals with outpatisnt
capcsr clinics and much may Be
done TO reduce the toll of the disssss
If the public viii only arouse itsslf."
The audience was shown Q movie,
Choose TO Live" produced by the
United States Public Health Service
and the American Society for the
Control Of Cancer. The meeting.
the theme Of which was Cancer e
Curables' was sponsored by the
Medical society and ths District
Health Department.