The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1946-03-28
THE BATTLE AGAINST CANCER
An Editorial by MORRIS FISHBEIN


The following article by one of Americas outstanding
medical authorities should be read carefully by everyone,
young and old. We should all do what we can TO educate our
family and friends in regard to cancer. This is one OF the
purposes of the Cancer Control Unit recently organized IN
Holmes and other Mississippi counties.
Holmes County Unit of Cancer Control. Education is need
ed as reading of this splendid article will show. We quote:
Among the most conspicuous problems in the control Of
cancer is the difficulty haf@uh 70 o, ns sertlng me eds Rs.' to do 10 for saef him all
that can be done. In many instances patients frequently
delay because of ignorance or fear IN seeking meoica ca n.
enough scientific study to detect the presence OF cancer thst
is not easily detachable. This means that more and more ed
ucation is needed In regard to the Importance OF early re
coonition and treatment of cancer. If people would only Try
to call attention to suggestive symptoms as soon as they
are noticed and if there were available everywhere oppor,
funities for immediate consultation with physicians who had
access to the necessary aids for diagnosis, the number OF
needless deaths from cancer would be greatly decreased.
In Great Britain, under the British Cancer Act of 1889,
the country is divided into regions in which there are avail
able diagnostic units, treatment centers and 1acihtles 1or
process of development for the United States with the AID
Of funds to be provided by the American Cancer society.
Roth the American Medical Association and the American
College of Surgeons are cooperating in the developmnt OF
principles and practices which should make this plan effec-
Regardless. however, Of the facilities and the medical
advice that are available, these can do little to reduce the
total number of unnecessary deaths unless people learn TO
overcome their fears and to seek the aid of these facilities at
the earliest possible moment. In Sweden, under a govrh-
ment system there are avalIaDie 10 n people l,s ,, G;
with easy access to surgery and radium. Nevertheless THESE
facilities do not seem to have reduced materially eitner !ne
deaths from cancer or the death rates. In a personal inquiry
made to the physician in charge of one OF the great cancer
centers-the Radium Hemmet in Stockholm-he said that
the public still fears cancer SO greatly as to postpone the
visit to the general practitioner in rural areas who is in the
vast majority Of cases the first physician consulted. :
In the United States cancer Of the breast caused l6,i4O
Deaths in 1913; cancer of the uterus caused 16,968 deaths;
cancer of the larynx caused 1,490 deaths; cancer OF the
tongue, 1921 deaths; and cancer of the lips, 661 deaths.
With the knowledge now available many OF these deaths
could have been prevented. These forms OF cancer are IN the
majority of instances durable in their early stages. The
figures cited indicate great possibilities If educational ano
medical facilities can be utilized to the utmost in getting the
patient to the decor as soon as possible and making avail
able to the doctor modern methods for diagnosis and treat
ment.