Cancer is any malignant growth. Other names for cancer are carcinoma, sarcoma; and occasionally there are special types of cancer such as epithelioma. The term “oma” is used to refer to a new growth. Cancer is also referred to by the term neoplasm, which means new growth. Occasionally, cancers are called malignancies, because of their malignant growth character. The exact causes which initiate the sudden, rapid growth of cells and their migration into other parts of the body are not known. We know that irritation from broken teeth or the constant heat and pressure associated with smoking, particularly of pipes, may start the cancer on the mouth or lip. Irritations anywhere in the body may start a cancer. Early recognition of cancer is of utmost importance. Any sore on the mouth of more than two days duration should be regarded with suspicion. Hoarseness which lasts more than a few days should arouse suspicion of some chronic condition affecting the vocal cords.

Any discomfort, pain, thickening or lump in the breast of a man or woman or any discharge from the nipple, particularly a bloody discharge, should mean an immediate examination.

Difficulty in swallowing, loss of appetite, constant discomfort, nausea, diarrhea or the appearance of blood in the bowel movement should demand thorough investigation, including study with the X-ray.

Persistent pain in the bones in people of any age means either a serious infection or a growth. Immediate use of the X-ray will help determine the nature of the trouble.

Slight bleeding at irregular intervals from the female sex organs is a dangerous sign. Every woman beyond the age of 35 should have an examination once every year by the doctor to determine whether or not any changes have occurred. The Papanicolaou or “Pap” test involves taking a scraping from the cervix or mouth of the uterus and examining under the microscope.

Many new developments have been made in detecting cancer and in treating it. Still of primary importance are the application of surgery, X-ray and radium. For cancers related to the blood, such as leukemia, new drags have been found which can reduce the number of white blood cells. New types of irradiation involving the cobalt bomb and high-voltage have been applied for special forms of cancer. Cancer of the brain is diagnosed by the neurologist, and special radioactive dye substances have been found which localize in cancer tissue.

Radioactive isotopes are being used in the treatment of cancer, including isotopes of gold and strontium, and radioactive iodine is used in treating cancer of the thyroid.

Discoveries have been made relating to control of cancer, particularly of the breast and of the prostate, by hormone substances. The male sex hormone is used in cancer of the breast and the female sex hormone in cancer of the prostate gland.

A new operative procedure has been tried, consisting of the removal of the adrenal glands and also removal of the pituitary gland, to control rapidly-growing cancers.

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