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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1984-03-26, Page 46London clinic first in world to use The London Clinic of the Ontario Cancer Foundation was the first treatment centre in the world to have a commercial cobalt -60 beam therapy unit, the basic machine for radiotherapy between the 1950s and the late 1970s. Although the unit was known as the "cobalt bomb", this Canadian development constituted one of the first peacetime ap- plications of atomic energy devoted to the restoration of health rather than to destruc- tion. The unit was installed in the clinic at the Victoria Hospital- in November 1951. The cobalt -60 used in the bomb was in the Na- tional Research Council's reactor at Chalk River, Ontario. The housing for the unit was designed and built by Eldorado Mining and Refining (1944) Ltd. - a Canadian Crown Corporation. At that time, the Canadian atomic pile was the only one in the world to produce sizeable quantities of radioactive cobalt. The first patient treated in November 1951 at the London unit with the "cobalt bomb" received the first of millions of treatment given since to prolong lives of people in many countries around the world. Funds for the new cobalt therapy unit at London, as for many other devices essential for modern cancer treatment. were provid- ed by Federal and matching Provincial Cancer Control Grants, under a program administered in Ontario by the Foundation. Even as the historic cobalt unit went into operation in Victoria Hospital, the Founda- tion and the hospital's Board of Directors were completing plans for an expanded cancer clinic, On November 18, 1954, the London Clinic was opened by Premier Leslie Frost, on two floors of the newwing of Victoria Hospital. The clinic was closely allied with the University of Western Ontario in both teaching and research. One of -its features wase 1;--prateViand which Mu Clinic were made possible by contributions from the Canadian Cancer Society from the Foundation's reserve funds for clinic con- struction, and from government grants. One addition housed a small cobalt beam therapy unit while the other housed a laboratory and recreational therapy area. By this time, the London Clinic had a Divi- sion of Nuclear Medicine which carried out research into the use of isotopes in the diagnosis and treatment of both benign and disease. Specialists from the HOPE Page 15 ``cobalt bomb', - a Therac 6 linear accelerator. This unit, one of a new generation of ac- celerators, produces powerful x-ray beams. Because of its deeper penetration treatment time with the accelerator was much shorter than with the. older cobalt units. After the accelerator passed its clinical trials, it was treating 35 to40 patients a day: As did the other Foundation clinics, the London Clinic entered the 1980s hoping to ex- pand its facilities so as to handle an ever- increasing ver increasing patient load. In June 1 1, the clinic's Department of Nuclear Medicine became a separate department because of the growing complexity; and diversity of its investigative procedures. The clinic's -other components moved into the space vacated by this department.. malignant Foundation builds clinic taught at the University of Western Ontario Ontario and gave course an nuclear world in OnNovember 22, 1961, the cornerstone orld re utation battle was laid for a new hostel provided by the Canadian Cancer Society Ontario Division. The hostel, which opened in 1962, provided living accommodations for 20. patients, who came from a distance for treatment at the clinic. In that same year, the University of Western Ontario, in recognition of the high standard of therapy and clinical research of the London Clinic, established the Depart- ment of Therapeutic Radiology and ap- pointed Dr. Ivan Smith, the clinic's director, as Head with the rank of full Professor. In 1966, the London Clinic again made history when it installed a 35 -minion -volt Brown-Boveri Betatron, the first unit of its kind in Ontario and one of two in Canada. The Betatron, which produced high-energy beta or gamma rays, rapidly became a leader in high-energy radiotherapy equip- ment. A second addition to Victoria Hospital provided more examination rooms, space for research and for the clinical use of isotopes. The costs of cancer treatment and research were mounting: in 1966 the Betatron unit cost $260,000 whereas just 12 years before could be purchased for $47,000. On April 3, 1970, a new wing was added to the London hostel - Thameswood Lodge. f the financing for this extensio __n in came from bequ�fn depicted the use of atomic energy ' medicine, a fitting decoration for a clinic which had broken new ground in the use of this new form of energy. In 1958 t new additions to the London ,two don residents. • In November 1975, through an agreement with Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, the London Clinic acquired the latest form of Chemotherapy... • frolic page 14. - A decrease in the white blood cell will make the patient more vulnerable to infections, A decreased number of red cells can result in anemia and give symptoms of shortness of breath, weakness and,fatigue. A decrease in the platelet count can result in bruising easily, getting a rash of little blood blisters under the skin or even internal bleeding. Effects on hair—Hair follicles are rapidly growing cells, and temporary hair loss (not only from the scalp, but also of body hair) is a common side effect of many chemotherapeutic agents. . This loss is occasionally total, but hair does grow back when the drug therapy is stopped. Wigs and hairpieces are tax-deductible medical expenses and may also be covered by medical insurance. Effects on fertility—Women who are still menstruating may have irregular periods or cease to menstruate altogether for a time. Menopausal symptoms may occur. Conception may still be possible however and birth control should be discussed since the potentially hazardous effects of anticancer drugs on the fetus` make pregnancy at this time unadvisable. Once chemotherapy is stopped, conception and normal pregnancy may be possible. In men, the number and viability of sperm may be reduced. During chemotherpay, therefore, many men are sterile, although with no loss of potency. When drug therapy is discontinued, some men regain normal function of the testes, but fertility may be permanently impaired by these drugs. It is important to remember that while chemotherapy may have effects on fertility, it usually has no effect on one's ability to have sexual relations. Miscellaneous side effects—The patient who is receiving chemotherapy should know that some drugs may cause other side effects not listed here. Since 1943 the Ontario Cancer Treatment too, had . an advanced cancer po and Research Foundation has been battling Belgium, that complex and formidable collection of establishment helped by a population and diseases known as "cancer". government that gave unstintingly to Without fanfare, the.. Foundation's clinics medical causes and helped, too, by the fact, and staff have built a reputation for being its Belgian Congo provided 95 per cent of the among the first in the nation and the world world's supply of radium., to develop and to use the newest equiptnent All nations faced similar problems: a and tactics in this medical war. public frightened of cancer - a people who It was in Ontario that the first cancer pa- delayed in seeking treatment nib many tient was treated with radiation from the cancers were inoperable; a body of physi- Canadian-developed "cobalt bomb" and, in clans wittibiit proper training in treating or fact, the setup of the Foundation's network even detecting cancer in the patients. of seven regional cancer centres was a In 1928, in London, leading surgeons of world model in medical organization. Stockholm, Brussels, Paris and London Over these past 41 years, some forms of hosted an International Cancer Congress to cancer have been beaten back; in fact, some tell the world's physicians about their work have virtually disappeared as a major pro- and success in the use of radium. This was blem. Other forms - and there are many - the first detailed account of success with have grown, their forces -fed by factors still radium treatment and the conference firm - unknown in some cases. ly placed radium in the front rank of cancer The battle against this frustrating enemy treatment everywhere. 1930,�, Hebert A. began in Ontario, officially, in 1931. Before The following year, that year, the only methods of treatment for Bruce, then the owner of Toronto's cancer were surgical and the little- Wellesley Hospital, toured the chief radium centre in London and came home to launch a crusade to convince the provincial govern- ment to buy this new material for the pro- �Aae-{�'g of the 1930s cancer hard vine's fight against cancer. " - eady taken cave was also continuing- ius 1u -y �ng-euu" paign to persuade the Toronto General Hospital to buy radium and set up a radium institute. Dr. .Richards .later became the first medical director of the Ontario Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation. The provincial government was being pressed by a number of hospitals throughout Ontario to help them purchase radium, as well. Finally, the Ontario Medical Associa- tion (OMA) threw its weight behind the drive to bring radium into use against ,,.cancer. There was some urgency because many doctors were becoming enthusiastic ufferina from cancer understood power of radiation - the killing of cancer cells with the rays from radium or later from high voltage x-rays. _ r the number -two -spot -in- --- - wine time, Dr: Gordon -- a _ ds the macabre mortality ratings war; at ages 50-69 it ranked first. Statistics showed the disease was increasing throughout North America and Europe. Two of the reasons for the increase were that people were living longer and more were reaching the age group most suscepti- ble tq, the common forms of the disease, and also that cancer was being diagnosed more frequently as techniques and training of doctors improved. Discounting these fac- tors, however, there was little doubt cancer was increasing. In Ontario, in 1931, cancer of the stomach accounted for 212 of each 1,000 cancer about the use of radiation, and there -was deaths. Lung cancer struck only 22 out of growing concern about the small amounts of each 1,000. Today, these figues have been radium being used without supervision by turned around: stomach cancer causes only private practitioners and clinics throughout about six per cent of cancer deaths in men, the province. As the doctors had pointed out while lung cancer causes about 31 per cent m London, in 1928, radium was a dangerous of male cancer deaths. Obviously, cancer is material in the hands of untrained persons. not a disease that remains constant: it is The OMA urged the government to set up a dynamic and changes as lifestyles and oc- Royal Commission to investigate the whole cupational hazards change. subject of cancer treatment in Ontario. In the late 1920s, in an international sense, - In June 1931, the government set up the the approach to the fight against cancer was' Royal Commission on the use of radium and inconsistent as well. The United States had al x-rays in the treatment of the sick, etc., vigorous, questioning cancer community known more informally as the Cody Com - which, in true American spirit, was often in mission after its chairman - Henry John the forefront in the use of the most radical Cody. The commission produced a corn treatments and in the most probing reseal-- prehensive picture of the world's cancer ch. establishments, a closer look at the Cana - The French were sophisticated and were dian scene and focussed on the shortcom- Swedes had, by far, the best social system to Tarn to page 16 • leaders in research and in radiation. The This information is brought to you with the kind co-operation of the following: 1- lore I Vow Herr, Inntl WHITI MAIN ST. EXETER :35.1964 • inney FUNERAL HOME 471 MAIN STREET EXETER, ONTARIO 235-0173 235-1055 Paul Hohner 235-0302 Jim Bears: 235-1747 Dirk Coolman 235-1950 Heather Rogers 235-1732 414 Main St., (Centre Mall), Exeter G Exeter Pharmacy Ltd. 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