HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1980-03-27, Page 32N.g
stio'ns
1. What is Cancer
• Cancer is art abnormal growth of cells in the
Patient's. own tissues. This .growth is nct subject to the
checks and controls which limit normal, growth,, but
persists without regard for the needs of the body.
Cancer cells differ from normal cells inthat they have
the ability to infiltrate into, surrounding normal
inp.
tissues. Moreover, small clusAof cancer cells may
break off from the parent growth and be carried by the
blood or lymphatic flow to other parts of the body and
become established as secondary growths.
2. Whatcauees cancer?
In experimental animals, cancer can be produced by
many, agents, including. certain chemicals, hormones,
viruses and radiation. .Some of these agents have also
been shown to cause cancer in humans, but in most
cases of human cancer the .cause is not known. There
is a direct relationship between the smoking of
How the society
uses its money
RESEARCH
Canadian research, largely supported by the public
funds donated to the Canadian Cancer Society in its
annual April campaign, has made significant con-
tributions to the world-wide fight against cancer,
including: the "Cobalt Bomb" developed by Dr.
Harold E. Johns ; vinblastine, a drug useful in treating
various forms of cancer, discovered by Dr. R.L.
Noble; and radioautography, developed by Dr. C.P.
Leblond. Money is spent on fellowships for individual
scientists, the largest part is devoted to specific
aspects of cancer research. Of each dollar donated to
the Canadian Cancer Society, 58 cents is given to
research.
SERVICE TO
PATIENTS
Cancer patients often need a special type of care and
a special type of support and encouragement. This
care and morale -building interest is provided by
members of the Ontario Division Service to Patients
Committee. These Volunteers visit patients in. homes
--and--hospitals, make dressings, deliver- gifts; provide
transportation to treatment centres and pain -killing
drugs for needy patients. This service requires 15
cents of each dollar.
EDUCATION
One of the most important functions- of the Ontario
Division of the Society is the education of the people of
Ontario about cancer and the manner in which each
person can fight the disease. This education is carried
on in schools and industry through films, speeches,
billboards, publicity material for the media and the
distribution of free pamphlets such as "Help for
Smokers", "Cancer Facts", and "research vs.
Cancer". This work takes another 13 cents of each
dollar donated. •
ADMINISTRATION
Although 95 percent of the Society's work is carried
out by volunteers, funds are required to pay the
salaries of permanent employees and to provide the
necessary business equipment in, -Ontario. This takes
about 6 cents of each dollar.
CAMPAIGN COSTS
The time and effort involved .in conducting the
Society's annual campaign is given freely and
voluntarily, but it still costs money to collect money.
Campaign posters, canvassers' kits and many other
tools necessary for a successful campaign take 5 cents
of each dollar donated.
LODGES
There are four patient lodges in Ontario ... in
Toronto, London, Thunder Bay and Ottawa. These•are,
bright, attractive accommodations ... "a home away
from home" ... for cancer patients undergoing
treatment. Many services are provided by Society
volunteers. Of each dollar donated 3 cents goes toward
the provision of these lodges.
SEPARATE CAMPAIGN
The Canadian Cancer Society cannot combine its ,
fund-raising with other local campaigns because no
joint community appeal could afford the increasing
costs of research and provide the facilities necessary
to house these projects. The funds required by the
Society must cover capital expenditures in researchin•
addition to year-round operating expenses. With the
single exception of the National Cancer Institute of
Canada, which does not canvass for funds, there, are
no other organizations affiliated with the Canadian
Cancer Society. The Society is a registered Canadian
charitable organization under the Income Tax Act and
donations to it .may be claimed by the donors as in-
come tax deductions to the extent provided by the Act.
savers about Cance:
cigarettes and lung cancer, and in Industry a number
of cancer-causing ehcmicais have been identified.
Steps have been taken to protect workmen against
these hazards, - • •8
O. Can cancer, be caused by germs `
A number of malignant tumours in animals and
birds have been shown. to be caused -by viruses - the
smallest of the disease -producing germs, No viruses
have been positively identified with lurnan cancers,
although some authorities believe that viruses may
play an important role in this regard.
4. Is cancer contagious or infectious?
No. There is no evidence that anyone has .ever
caught cancer by direct or `indirect contact with
another person who has cancer, or by contact with
animals. There is apparently no risk to persons
loolfing after cancer patients. Doctors and nurses
have done so daily for many years. without any ill.
effects.
5. Is cancer a single disease?
No. Cancer is a family of hundreds of different
diseases whose• only similarity is that they are all
abnormal cell growths. Some cancers are highly
dangerous, while 'Others can be cured in almost every
case. Doctors can usuall give a reasonabl accurate
prediction .as to t e ley • e aviour of any given
cancer.
6. Is leukaemia a form of cancer?
Yes. Leukaemia is cancer of the blood -forming
tissues in which there is excessive and uncontrolled
production of white blood cells. In Canada, of the total
deaths from all cancer in a single year, approximately
4 percent are caused by leukaemia, one-fifth of these
among children under 15 years of age.
7. Can cancer be caused by a bruise or sprain or
other injury?'
No. There is no evidence that any cancer has ever
been caused by injury alone, although it is possible
that injuries such as bruises and sprains may oc-
casionally accelerate the growth of pre-existing
cancer.
8. How is food related to cancer?
Little is known about diet in relation to cancer but
research is being carried out to explore the possible
role of food habits in the occurrence of cancer in
various countries and population groups. -
9. If a parent dies from cancer, are the children
more likely to develop this disease?
No. Familial tendencies do occur, but as a general
rule, children of parents who have died from cancer
are no more likely to develop cancer than anyone else.
10. Are. .the..results_of...animal..studies _on..'cancer__ap
plicable to human beings?
Much of our fundamental knowledge of human
cancer has been learned from the study of the disease
in experimental animals. Withoufsuch animal studies
it is higly unlikely that our knowlege would have
advanced to its present stage. All new cancer.
remedies, particularly the new drugs, were first
tested on animal tumours.
11. How does cancer spread through the body?
The spread of cancer, known as metastasis, can
happen in three ways:
a) cancer cells pay grow directly -from one tissue to
another ; •
b) they may enter lymphatic channels and spread to
lymph nodes;
c) they may gain access to blood vessels and spread to
distant parts of the body through the blood,
12. How fast does cancer grow?
There is a wide variation in the rates of growth of
different types of cancer. Even the same type of.
cancer in different patients may grow . at different
rates.
13. Does the use of alcohol bear any relation to
cancer?
Excessive use of alcohol over long periods of time
does seem to have a relationship to cancer of the
mouth, throat, esophagus and stomach.
14. Can immunity to cancer be acquired as in the
case of diphtheria, typhoid fever or polio?
..There are no vaccines or toxoids which will protect
us against cancer. However, healthy bodies have
natural defences and much effort is being devoted to
research into ways of reinforcing these defences.
15. What is the danger from air -pollution or in-
dustrial chemicals?
Exposure to certain chemicals and irritants in in-
dustry has been- linked to' increased cancer rates.
Pollution, particularly of the air in large city areas,
has been shown to contribute to health problems.
Thus, cigarette smokers run an eVen greater risk if
they live in a city having serious air pollution. It
should be the duty of every Canadian to become
familiar with the health hazards of his or her com-
munity, and to work actively to correct abuses
resulting from neglect or ignorance:
16. Is progress being made in cancer research?
Research into the causes, prevention, diagnosis and
treatment of cancer is progressing on a broad basis in
many countries, including Canada. It has-been
proven, for example that certain physical and
chemical compounds, hormones and viruses can
cause cancer in animals.' • New methods of in-
vestigation have made possible the comparison of the
normal cell with the cancer cell. There have been
improvements ir1'surgical methods, making it possible
for patients to have major operations and live com-
.. [ ill
fortably afterwards. Progress has been made too I
the technical aspects of radiation therapy with the
development of various ;kinds of curing ,rays. The use
of drugs and hormones in 'treatment .holdspromise for
the future. Nevertheless,the final- 00nquest of all
forms of cancer stili eludes us -and the struggle must
be . intensified. More than 45 per cent of the funds
raised, annually by the Canadian -Cancer Society is
directed against cancer through research. To date
some 42 million dollars has been spent by the Society
for the support, of the nationwide research programme
delving into the many facets of the cancer problem.
17. Is cancer Increasing?
The nuniber of new Cancer cases diagnosed each
year . per thousand of our population is .increasing
slowly. The increase is thought to be due mostly to
improved methods of diagnosis leading to more
frequent recognitionof the disease, and to the fact that
more and more of our population are living longer,
thereby reaching the so-called cancer age group.
However, there has been an increase in the rate of
lungcancer among men, and in both men and women
an increase in leukaemia.
18use-o. Howf-death2 does cancer-. compare with other diseases a
It occupies second place to diseases of the heart an
blood vessels which account for more than twice as
many deaths as cancer. The following table shows the
number of deaths for -Canada in 1973 under the three
major causes. Heart and Circulatory Diseases -
80,330; Cancer - 33,069; and Accidents and Violence -
16,812.
19. Can children have cancer?
Yes, in 1972 in Canada 222 children under the age of
15 died of cancer which is second only to accidents as a
cause of death in this age group.
20. Do more women than men die from cancer?
No. This was once the case, but not since 1945 when
the increase of lung cancer in men put male cancer
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