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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1980-03-27, Page 34The Canadian, Cancer Society has, invested more than .$30,000,000 in eaneer research. Annual expenditures have risen. to a,pprQ.ximately $4,000,000 per year. What are we getting for our money? Among the obvious answers are the° "Cobalt Bomb", developed in Canada andiven to the world; a drug called VLB, recognized as one of a select group of drugs effective 'against cancer; and contributions to the control of cancer of the cervix by mass screening programs. Among the less ap --parent benefits .is f example, an ingenious method for counting cancer cells, ,a --technique considered a milestone throughout the scientific world. In site of this wide acclaim, it is dif- ficult to appreciate its full significance since scientists have only just begun to exploit the can be -detected •detested. when given to a patient and to. cancer n a r i?ci present in - a con obtain instant access and pian, are, sensitive, to the centration equal to one tabulation of results by amounts of varienS teaspoonful in a 'million patient, by site of cancer, hormones produced in the, gallons of water, • ..b.y doctor, . etc. body. In some cases the Cancer cells, release ,, 11lleaningful' statistical tumor may stop growing can now be and virtually disappear if minute quantities of this studies a articular horin,on� i�s•, special chemical into the carried but precisely and p blood stream and it ap- quickly. absent, but renew its. i .. ,lowing pears likely that. the blood research scientists are growth o w tb f o It he. test will be able to detect also studying the ability treatment 'with t. grownthis It h'ne, . patienteis waref of any laborator to re air horm as also been found Patient y repair that if . certain animals symptoms of disease. The radiation damage. test is the subject of a controlling growth so that get a continuous supply of collaborative study in- all ,cells are at a given one of the female sex volving institutions in stage in their life cycle at hormones - estrone - by both Canada and the the same time, it has means of a pellet inserted United States. been possible to into the tissue, they will demonstrate that their inevitably develop cancer RESEARCH ON sensitivity to radiation of the breast. If the pellet. RADIATION varies from time to time. is removed, the cancer on' l search i$ being This study may suggest ° disappears and does not supported which is changes in the way in recur. di-rebted towards the which radiation treat- Such results have improvement of treat—ments are;given. convinced some scien- ment by radiation. tists that hormones are Having developed special THE CAUSE responsible for certain Cobalt 60 Beam Therapy OF CANCER human tumors, such as Units (or Bombs), one There are ap- breast cancer. laboratory is now in- proximately 600 external terested in new equip- causes of cancer - 600 IS THERE A ment that will deliver physical, chemical or CANCER VIRUS? special types of powerful biological agents capable Some of the research in _ su orted by funds from technique. radiations and increase of producing cancers pp the effectiveness of the man or in animals. the Canadian Cancer laboratory is Society is concerned with A BLOOD TEST FOR CANCER A simple blood test to detect early cancer of the bowel is undergoing intensive investigation.. This test was designed in a Canadian laboratory and is of particular im- portance since cancer of the colon and rectum cause over 4,000 deaths each year in Canada. Tris `based on tfie ti - servation that these cancers- produce a special chemical compound, called an antigen, which is not produced by nor- mal tissue or by other types of cancer and which attack on cancer cells. In One this study, as in others in studying the successive the alteration in the the field of radiation, the changes which appear in behaviour of cells after major problem is the the tissues,of an ex- they are virus infected. sensitivity of normal perimental nimal from The most interesting healthy cells to radiation the time the cancer- changes are those caused and the 'difficulties of ,causing agent is first .by the viruses which are sparing them from applied up to the time of called tumor viruses serious damage. the appearance of cancer because they cause In parallel studies, itself. The first effect is to tumors in animals. When re s e a rc h d i r e c ted destroy a large number of mouse cells are infected towards an un- cells. by these viruses, the derstanding of the nature behaviour of the cells o-€-----radiat-fon da-m-a-ge--' I –.- is followed produced in the cell is growth of healthy cells to being pursued. replace those damaged or Research is also being destroyed but, dtering this directed to the use of process, cancer cells computers _ to improve develop .in 'different areas calculations of the proper in .the damaged tissue. .: dose of radiation to be Efforts are being made to find these areas in order to study why the cancer develops there. r interest at present is concerned with the possibility of arousing the body's defenses to make it immune to cancer. The exact sequence of events that occurs during the dNevelopment� of an im- munity is not yet un- derstood completely but there are grounds for belief that the so-called Immune system , is: the major natural defense of the `body against cancer cells as well as viruses and other diseases. If the cancer cells could be altered to arouse a stronger immune reaction, the body might be able to dispose of them more effectively. DRUGS AGAINST CANCER Surgery and radiation have long been the practical means of one vestigation - of how compound called ,nitrogen. mustard enters the blood cells of patients with leukemia. It appears th t if a cell is resistant to the drug, it is unable to take in any significant quantity, This brings orte back to studies of the characteristics of thea .ell surface. CONCLUSIONS. These projects are just a few of the many studies in progress in Canada which have been made possible by the generosity of contributors to the Canadian Cancer Society No project'"is isolated "and few are duplicated any _her a e- in world.: Each represent the contribution of one more piece to the jigsaw puzzle which i,s cancer. combatting cancer, but leo respect the use of drugs (chemotherapy) is now making a . valuable Cancer has no respect contribution. An out- for race, creed, colour or standing Canadian wealthy. Nowadays, achievement was the thanks to the work of discovery SP the drug dedicated scientists, VLB mentioned earlier. more and more effective One research unit is treatments for cancer are concerned with the fact being found. However, it that tumors tend to lose does not all happen their sensitivity to without money. This ° specific drugs. A better year, the Canadian understanding of the Cancer Society needs mechanisms by which $16.5 million to continue this resistance is the search for control of acquired may teach us this disease. Give how to prevent a drug generously. by changes and some of the- from, losing You CCITicPI IT. c'rr,rer. It's up to you. Bequests •from page 11 research and many the influence of scientists and technicians chemicals, viruses, have placed their faith in radiation, etc. on the the Society's ability to cell's large molecules continue making called nucleic acids is available the funds being scrutinized.` These necessary to complete nucleic acids contain their investigations. information which Also, the rapid growth determines the behaviour of research with its and future of each cell. If demands for more space this information were and equipment, involves altered by a. chemical or substantial capital funds virus, it might be the which are not readily crucial step leading to the available through the production of cancer. annual Campaigns. Some . studies are Deferred gifts, concerned with hor- therefore, are essential to mones. Certain types of ensure continuity and growth of cancer • research efforts in Take cover Canadia, in addition to the more direct benefits for cancer patients and for workers the public at large who must be instructed on Consider this.... how to recognize cancer symptoms and how to prevent cancer. The Canadian Cancer Society needs your help now, while you are alive, to carry on the life -or - death struggle against cancer. But deferred gifts are a means of further supporting this great work and ensuring that it will go on as long as a Single Canadian is threatened, by cancer. More than ever before,. the Canadian Cancer Society needs the thought/111 consideration of those who know how to make their giving count. In another laboratory • The frequency of cancer of the skin ranks first in men and third in women in this country. And for a long time now it has been known that this type of cancer can be caused by excessive exposure to the sun.. Take cover, Workers.... Anyone who must work in the sun - fishermen, farmers, lifeguards, construction workers... Wear a shirt and a hat and if you are light - skinned meaning that you do not have the natural protection of pigment in the skin, take double care. infected cells later fectiveness. become cancer cells. It is hoped that an un- derstanding of the effect of tumor viruses on cells will suggest a way to prevent the normal cells from becoming cancer cells. NATURE'S OWN DEFENSES Another area of great Get the habit Feel perfectly healthy? Great! But shouldn't you get the check-up habit and make sure? You're too busy - meetings, out with your friends, -you like to spend time with your kids and besides you wouldn't dream of seeing a doctor when nothing is wrong. But doesn't your good health make all this possible? Why not protect it? Take time - see your doctor on a regular basis. Give him the opportunity to detect problems at an early stage and give yeurself a better chance for complete cure. Today there are thousands of Canadians who have had cancer and who are alive and well and cured. Your doctor will know the need for a "procto" (examination of the bowels) and if you are a woman will carry out a Pap Test. Your dentist too! More than just shiny teeth - he can also recognise conditions in the mouth which should receive prompt attention. Demonstrate for good health. Make that ap- pointment today. Clinical 'studies are being conducted on the way cancer drugs work. One project has to do with the- action of a,compound called methotrexate, used for patients with acute leukemia. The research scientist con- cerned is comparing the changes in the chemistry of _leukemic cells in patients who respond to the drug and patients who do not respond. The° objective is to find a way of predicting, in- a test- tube, which leukemia patients are likely to benefit from a given drug. Other studies in this field involve the in - ew ar e of the sun Sunshine is great, but too much may be unhealthy. A glorious tan is not always a sign of good health. To protect yourself, try a wide- brimmed hat or beach cover-up. Use a protective lotion. See a . doctorif you notice . a change in your skin condition (achange in a mole, a sore that doesn't heal) . Skin cancer can be suc- cessfully treated - but . give your doctor an early start just to make sure. FASHION SHOW April 29 EXETER ARENA TICKETS '5. Theme Silhouettes of Summer CLINTON Daffodil Tea MARCH 28 Ontario St. United Church 2-4:30 p.m.