Geographical breakdown of allocations for the month of September 1953

NOTE. To date, $7,246,786.65 has been allocated in 388 grants and 256 fellowships, in 170 institutions, in 47 States, the District of Columbia, and 14 foreign countries.

The CHAIRMAN. I wish there were more individuals who would take the personal interest in this that Walter Winchell has taken who, in his inimitable way, directs attention to this in a manner that the public understands, and does it on a basis without any cost whatsoever. I understand that he personally bears the entire cost of the administration of it. So, I am gratified to know that some individuals do appreciate the importance of this and the extent of giving all their abilities to carry it on.

Dr. Granger is here of the Food and Drug Administration.

Doctor, do you have any statement that you would like to make at this time?

Dr. GRANGER. No, sir; I have no statement.

The CHAIRMAN. Well, I can readily understand that the Food and Drug Administration in its desire to properly protect the people of the country in accordance with what is expected of it, can only do that to the extent that the necessary funds are supplied by Congress to enable it to do the things that it finds necessary to do with respect to prosecution or otherwise of those who may be taking advantage, or seem to be taking advantage of the public.

Now, in conclusion, I want to say again that I find it as difficult today, as I did yesterday, to express my appreciation on behalf of this committee for the splendid worthwhile service that has been rendered, not only to the committee but we hope through it, to the country, by those who have appeared here today on this panel.

We realize that you are all busy men. You have given time out of your busy life because you are interested in this subject.

It has been most gratifying to us to realize that men of your standing, men of your ability, and men who are inspired as you are to be helpful, are working on this disease that has brought such great distress to our people.

I can only say in these feeble words, "We thank you most heartily for your appearance here today," and for the help that you have given us.

As we proceed with these hearings, opportunity will be given to others who may wish to appear for reasons that are substantial that entitle them to be heard.

This committee has only one desire and that is to be helpful in an objective way. We are in no way going to close the door on anyone who may sincerely and conscientiously feel he has something to contribute which will be of help to the people, whether it be of benefit in regard to this disease or any other disease that this committee will give its attention to during the course of its hearings in the next 2 or 3 weeks.

I cannot say too emphatically that this committee has a desire to be of service, and we will listen in the hope that what is said will enable us―no matter from what source it comes, to be helpful in the prosecution of that which we have taken upon ourselves in making a study of these diseases and finding what can be done to accelerate the progress that is being made toward their elimination.

We thank you.

(The following material was submitted for the record:)

101 ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT CANCER

These 101 questions have been selected by physicians engaged in health education as those most frequently asked by the layman about cancer. The answers are necessarily brief. For further information, consult your family physician or your State or local office of the American Cancer Society.

1. What is cancer?

1. WHAT IT IS

Cancer is a disorderly growth of cells of the body's tissues. It is not governed by the laws which control the growth of normal cells. If it is not destroyed or removed, it never ceases to grow and eventually causes death.

2. What is the difference between normal and cancerous growth?

Normal growth begins whon the fertilized egg or ovum divides into two cells and it continues, under the control of natural body forces, until maturity is reached. Thereafter growth takes place only to replace injured or wornout tissue.

Cancer arises when a cell or group of cells begins to grow in a wild disorderly manner. The cells of this disorderly growth do not respond to the controls which keep normal cells in check. They force their way among the normal cells in the vicinity and later spread to other parts of the body. This uncontrolled cell growth is cancer.

3. Is cancer contagious or infectious?

As cancer is not due to a germ, it is neither contagious nor infectious. There is no record in medical literature of physicians or nurses having gotten cancer from their patients despite the most intimate contact with them. A person cau no more catch cancer from another than he can catch the color of his eyes. 4. Is cancer a blood disease?

No. The only part blood plays in cancer is that of a mechanical carrier of the cancer cells from one part to another of the patient's body. However, cancer may develop in certain tissues which form the cells of the blood.

5. How does cancer spread through the body?

In three ways: (1) Cancer cells grow through the walls of blood vessels and are carried by the bloodstream to distant part of the body; (2) they enter the ymphatic stream in a similar manner and are carried to nearby lymph glands; (3) the cancer cells grow directly from one tissue into another.

5. How fast does cancer grow?

There is no definite rate of growth of cancer tissue. Some types will grow more in a few weeks than other types will in several years.

1. Is cancer a single disease?

No. The term "cancer" includes all forms of malignant growth. Very many arieties are known. These have certain characteristics in common, such as incontrolled growth, tendency to spread widely in the body, and fatal termination

25

if not treated early and adequately. They differ in certain characteristics, such as location in the body, microscopic appearance, and response to treatment. Their histories of development may be quite dissimilar and it is probable that the conditions which may precede them also differ greatly.

8. Are all tumors cancerous?

No. Tumors are of two kinds-benign (usually harmless) and malignant or

cancer.

9. What is the difference between a benign and a malignant growth?

Benign growths usually have a limiting membrane and push aside the cells of the tissue in which they are found. They never spread to other parts of the body. Malignant cells grow between normal cells, infiltrating the tissues by means of rootlike extensions. Unless adequately treated, cancer cells colonize (metastasize) to other parts of the body.

10. How can we tell if a growth is cancer?

By pathological examination of a small portion of the suspected tissue under the microscope. In advanced cases, physical examination alone of the patient may give the diagnosis. However, when this is possible the growth is often too far advanced to offer much hope of a cure.

11. What is the difference between sarcoma and carcinoma?

The difference is chiefly one of appearance under the microscope and the locations where they grow. Sarcomas are found in connective tissue, carcinomas in epithelial or lining tissue. Both are cancer. Sarcoma is seen more often in younger age groups.

12. Are cancer and leprosy related?

No. Leprosy is a chronic, infectious, contagious disease caused by a germ. While cancer is a chronic disease, it is not infectious or contagious and its cause is obscure.

13. Can lower animals develop cancer?

Yes. Cancer may be found in all forms of life, both plant and animal.

14. What causes cancer?

2. WHAT CAUSES IT

The essential cause is unknown. Many factors are involved, but the most common is some form of chronic or prolonged irritation. This irritation may be of several kinds, as chemical, thermal (heat), or mechanical, as friction.

15. Is cancer caused by a germ?

There is no definite scientific evidence that cancer in humans is caused by a gerin.

16. Does cancer come from a single bruise?

A type of bone cancer may rarely result from a single severe injury. It is believed that a single injury to soft tissue, such as the breast, will not cause cancer to develop.

17. What is the relation of food to cancer?

In certain individuals, vitamin B deficiency may result in changes in certain tissues, particularly of the mouth and lips, which may ultimately become cancerous. In general, however, so far as is known, no food or combination of foods has any influence on the cause or cure of cancer.

18. Will irregularity in eating cause cancer of the stomach?

There is no scientific evidence that it will, since cancer of the stomach occurs in people who eat regularly the most healthful foods.

19. Does eating hot foods cause cancer?

There is little evidence that the temperature of food is an important factor in the development of cancer.

20. Does the use of alcohol bear any relation to cancer of the stomach?

Not so far as is known. Alcohol may have an unfavorable effect on stomach tissues of some persons, but no more so than other substances taken into the stomach with food or drink.

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21. Is cancer hereditary in human beings?

There are probably inherited tendencies to form cancer of different types. Since, however, the method of inheriting such tendencies is obscure and undoubtedly complex, the presence of cancer in one or both parents should be merely a cause of greater alertness in looking for and recognizing suspicious conditions on the part of the individual. There is no need of fear or of a fatalistic attitude. The facts do not justify them.

22. Can cancer be transmitted by kissing or casual contact between persons or between persons and animals?

No. There is no authentic record of cancer having been transmitted by kissing or by any contact, accidental or otherwise, either between persons or between persons and animals.

23. Do corns ever become cancerous?

Cancer may occur in any tissue of the body, but since a corn consists entirely of nonvital cells it could not in itself develop cancer.

24. Do freckles ever turn into cancer?

Simple freckles do not. However, flat moles containing certain pigment of a bluish-black color and looking like dark freckles, may become cancers and should be checked periodically.

25. Do hemorrhoids turn into cancer?

Cancer is occasion

No. Hemorrhoids are enlarged veins in the rectal wall. ally found in the tissue above the hemorrhoids, so "bleeding piles" should be examined carefully to determine whether cancer is present.

26. Can one's mental condition influence the course of cancer?

Not so far as is known. Cancer is a disease of body cells. One's mental condition has no effect on the course of the disease since this malignant change is apparently due to physical rather than mental processes.

3. DEFENSE MEASURES

27. How can one guard against cancer?

By preventing, so far as possible, prolonged irritation to any part of the body. Specifically, protection from overexposure to the sun and wind, prompt repair of all birth injuries to the womb, permitting the breasts to function normally, repair of jagged teeth, avoidance of ill-fitting dental plates, self-control in using tobacco, correction of chronic constipation-in short, elimination of unnecessary abuse of any tissue is a commonsense method of helping to guard against

cancer.

28. What is meant by a "precancerous lesion"?

Any abnormal condition that, if permitted to continue, may develop into

cancer.

29. What are some of the more important precancerous lesions?

White spot disease on mucous membrances, especially of the mouth; dry, scaly, itching patches on the skin, particularly the face; sores caused by jagged teeth and ill-fitting dental plates; dark colored moles subject to irritation; unrepaired injuries due to childbirth. These should all be investigated by a physician.

30. What precautions should be taken to avoid cancer of the mouth?

Keep the mouth clean. Have jagged teeth repaired or removed. Do not use an ill-fitting dental plate which causes a sore on the gums. If white spots appear in the mouth or on the tongue, stop the use of tobacco and see a doctor. 31. What precautions should be taken to avoid cancer of the skin?

Dark colored moles and warts, if subject to irritation, should be removed. Itching, scaly patches on the skin should be treated before they become open sores. Fair-skinned people, especially, should avoid continuous overexposure to direct sun rays. Recurrent fever blisters on the lip should be carefully examined. Keep the skin clean.

32. Should all moles be removed?

No. A flat colorless mole is probably as harmless as a freckle. Bluish-black hairless moles, especially when subject to irritation, should be removed. Any