Smyrna times., 1963-02-28

standing OF the why's ana where-
fore's of cancer, the chances
of a "'breakthrough" increase.
The search for this under
standing has narrowed into TWO
general concepts. One is that
viruses are at the root of
human cancers. The other that
viuses are just one of many
Irritating carcinogens. Broadly
speaking, the virus theory holds
that it takes both an irritant
and a virus to spawn malig-
nant rumors.
That certain viruses can cause
cancer In laboratory animals
is firmly established, but no one
yet has uncovered a human
cancer virus. The very nature
of the virus makes it a likely
candidate for breeding cancer.
From all that has been deter
mined about these ultra minute
organisms, it appears that a
virus is not quite living and
not quite non-living. 1t seems to
be a blob of nucleic acid--the
heredity molecule and the stuff
of genes--surrounded by pro-
tein skin. Some microbiologists
liken viruses to free genes with
out cell.
When a certain virus comes
In contact with a certain liv-
ing cell for which 1t has an
affinity, it squirts its nucleic
acid into the cell. Once injec-
ted, the virus ''genes" make
their way to the cell nucleus
and apparently insert them
selves into the cells chromo-
somes, or string of genes.
The insertion of these "wild"
genes upsets the whole function
of the cell. In established virus
diseases, such as polio, the
virus causes the cell to stop
its normal operation and turn
to the production of more vir-
uses. In the process the cell
is destroyed.
But If viruses are respon-
sible for cancer, a different
process is employed. Instead
of causing the cell to destroy
itself, the virus causes 1t to
burst into rapid, malignant
reproduction.
The viral theory of cancer
was formed by DR.. Wendell M.
Stanley, Nobel prize winning
virologist, in 1856. AT that time
the idea seemed revolutionary
but since then there has been
much experimental evidence to
support such theory and Moth
ing to disprove it.
1t is the fervent hope ofmany
In the field that virus is neces :
sary to cancer, for then there
is a possibility that 1t can be
knocked out once and for ALL
destroyed by drugs or neutral
lied by vaccines.
Just how firm this possibil :
ity might be is open to specu-
lation. Not all virus caused di-
seases can as yet be prevented
by vaccines. Besides, to date,
only one virus disease has ever
been cured by drug and this
under rather unique circum- :
stances.
A sidelight of the cancer
virus research has been devel-
opment of the idea that certain
cancers may be due to an un-
developed or suppressed bodily
defense mechanism.
Carcinogenic chemicals, ra-
diation or weakness developed
before birth may lead to a
poorly functioning system,
which in turn fails to detect
or fails to react against can
Ger viruses and so permits
them to establish their chair
of malignancy.
This theory was evolved ii
part from studies of virus
caused leukemia, or cancer o.
the blood-forming tissues, ir
laboratory animals.
But whether viruses are al
the bottom of all cancer or
not, the fact remains that ex-
posure to certain carcinogens
tend to produce cancer.
This was probably first made
clear by the early chimney
sweeps of London who were in
clined to develop cancer or
areas exposed TO SCOT.
All of us are exposed tc
some carcinogens. Sunlight, for
instance, has been shown to in
duce skin cancer, yet life is
impossible without sunlight.Ra-
diation strikes at us not only
from fallout but from the earth
from outer space and hundred
other natural and man made
sources.
In addition, some occupations
by their nature expose work
ers to specific carcinogens
Radiologists, for instance, usec
to expose themselves unwilling
ly to a cancer hazard from the
very tools they were helping t'
develop to fight cancer.
! Certain metallic dustS, aro-
matte anime dyes, specific frac'
tions of petroleum and many
other chemicals and compound:
used In industry and certain
occupations have been proveI
dangerous because of their con.