Cancer (1953)

[Music] we in medical science our wealth cancer is one of the most deadly and Elusive enemies faced by man all too often it is that goes untreated until at last when professional it is found that cancer has been present for many months take the case of Bert Marshall from all indication of this x-ray and from other observations it seems to be confined to the stomach what chance do I really have doctor Mr Marshall I have no desire to mislead you I'm sure you realize that recovery is not a sure thing but if we can go through surgery as quickly as possible I believe you have a good chance of recovery well I I appreciate your being so Frank with me Dr Swanson I guess I don't have to tell you how I feel I know how you feel but this is the time for Action rather than pity you need to have the will to be cured beyond that medical science will play its part we've learned a great deal about cancer but uh a great many questions go unanswered it was hypocrates the father of medicine who in the 4th Century BC first gave the name cancer to the malady cancer is known to affect most plants and animals cancer begins as a departure from normal cell growth that is harmful and unceasing the rapidly growing abnormal cells usually differ sufficiently from normal ones to be recognizable under the microscope once cancerous cells appear they soon develop into a clump of tissue that lives at the expense of the entire body this tissue crowds and robs nourishment from other cells tissues or organs if the abnormal cells grow slowly in a limited area they are called benign tumors if the cells ining tissue or spread to other parts of the body they constitute a malignant tumor one that is cancerous cells of malignant growths may break off and travel through the bloodstream to other parts of the body there they may start new cancerous growths in hospitals and elsewhere progress is being made in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer special equipment like the X-ray fluoroscope helps identify and locate cancers this is the kind of instrument used to make the photograph of Mr Marshall's stomach cancer with a gastroscope the doctor can look inside a patient's stomach in Research Laboratories cancers are being induced in animals so that tests and treatments may be made upon them but despite research and improved techniques of treatment cancer remains man's number two killer second only to heart disease Little Wonder that a victim of cancer like Mr Marshall feels depressed don't worry the doctor says it's easy to say when you're healthy it's for me I I might as well give up I'm no good to myself or my family now doctor says that one out of seven has a cancer at one time or another that's a lot of people I some of those folks are likely to be cancer victims now or possibly some of them have recovered from cancer yeah but if they have recovered they've probably discovered it earlier than I did oh if only I'd gone to a doctor sooner early treatment does give a higher percentage of cures why did Mr Marshall wait so long should have known something was wrong that stomach distress and all but I drifted along guess I was afraid to ask for medical advice I listen to people who knew as little as I did so hey what's the matter with you anyway bird I don't know kenth that old stomach upset again upset stomach watch take a little soda a pill I don't know Ken I've had these pains a lot lately you know the other day I saw a program on TV about cancer and one of the symptoms they met mention is exactly the same thing I've gotten but you know it really scares me what are you talking about those Fells are always trying to talk people into going and see a doctor go in for a checkup every year go in every time you got a mole on you or something it's a lot of nonsense this cancer business besides this cancer is mostly for old people anyway you know I read some figures the other day that said that nobody gets cancer but old people I certainly shouldn't have paid attention to fellas like Ken but I had to talk to someone and well I couldn't bring myself to tell the family my fears it was only when I had a particularly bad attack that I finally went to the doctor I remember how the doctor went into great detail with me about my past history and and how he gave me a thorough examination that lasted through several visits we Cancer Specialists do make a thorough study of each patient's case we know that many cancers can be treated successfully once the diagnosis is completed using the different instruments and tests at our Command some form of therapy has begun for some cases x-ray treatment is an acceptable technique the x-rays are focused on the cancerous tissue x-rays help destroy cancerous cells only specially trained technicians should ever administer such treatments because any large excess of x-rays May harm healthy cells as well as cancerous ones when it is possible to operate the removal of the cancer usually offers the most certain means of ridding the body of the cancerous growth cancer of the stomach can be removed surgically so Dr Swanson uses surgery on Mr Marshall in males the digestive tract is most frequently Afflicted with cancer other areas where cancer often strikes are the mou the respiratory tract the skin and the urinary system in the female cancers of the breast and the uterus are the most prevalent but cancer of the digestive tract and the skin are also common what causes cancerous growths to start this is a question still largely unanswered but a a few facts are known people exposed to the Sun and wind a large part of the time like farmers and sailors have more skin cancers than those who are not exposed chronic irritation of a part of the body like the lip or tongue may lead to cancer the hot stem of a pipe may be such an irritant certain chemicals have been known to cause cancer frequent exposure to x-rays or radioactivity without adequate protection is likely to develop cancers technicians and doctors wear protective clothing to avoid exposing themselves to x-rays when they are using such equipment but for the average person what are the symptoms the danger signals of possible cancer the common danger signals are easy to detect any s that does not heal a lump or thickening in the breast or elsewhere unusual bleeding or discharge any Progressive change in the appearance of a wart or mole persistent indigestion or difficulty in swallowing persistent heness or cough or any change in normal bowel habits well you ought to be a very happy man Mr Marshall far as we can tell your operation is a success how do you feel well I feel pretty good doctor I haven't any pain and uh I'm Mighty anxious to get home well you are feeling well wanting to go home and don't you worry you'll be there just as soon as possible there is something that does worry me doctor as a matter of fact that and I were just discussing it before you came in does my having cancer mean that Jimmy here will inherit it if that's all that's worrying you put your mind at ease cancer isn't inherited so just forget about any danger to Jimmy because of your trouble well I've got other faces to see uh goodbye tomorrow goodbye thank you for coming doctor severe distress finally led him to the doctor but distress is often entirely absent in cancer cases so the best protection is continual vigilance know the danger signals of cancer any soar that does not heal a lump or thickening in the breast or elsewhere unusual bleeding or discharge any change in a wart or mole persistent indigestion or difficulty in swallowing persistent heness or cough any change in normal bowel habit if you detect any of these danger signals don't hesitate seek medical advice we doctors are improving our techniques no individual is alone in the fight against cancer research workers are finding and Reporting more and more facts the American Cancer Society the Press radio and television all are helping contribute to a bing of cancer what it is and how we Will Conquer Cancer [Music]