PERCENT SURVIVING

4

3

2

24. What are the survival prospects for cancer patients?

Some 22.4 percent of the men developing cancer and 34.1 percent of the women survive 5 years after diagnosis. These findings are based on cancer cases diagnosed in Connecticut between 1935 and 1951 and are probably representative for the United States as a whole. Survival varies according to several factors. The site of the cancer is one. Cancer of the skin has an excellent prognosis; 5-year survival is 64.2 percent for men and 70.9 percent for women. Cancer of the stomach has a bad prognosis; less than 6 percent survive 5 years. The chances of survival also depends on how advanced the cancer is when discovered. Prognosis is much better if the cancer is still localized at the original site than if it has spread far beyond the primary site. (Source: Griswold, M. H., et al., op. cit.)

CANCER SURVIVAL, CONNECTICUT, 1935-51

5

10

15

YEARS AFTER DIAGNOSIS

25. Have survival prospects for cancer patients improved in this country?

During the period 1935-40, 24 percent of the men diagnosed as having cancer in the State of Connecticut, and 34 percent of the women, survived 5 years. By 1947-51, the percentages had risen to 32 and 45 percent, respectively. These changes reflect improvements in survival for localized cancer and, to a lesser degree, for cancer spread regionally to adjacent tissues. The chances of survival when the cancer has already spread to more remote parts of the body remain at a very low level.

Improvements in survival occurred for some sites but not for others. The chief improvements were for cancers of the large intestine and rectum and cancer of the uterus. For sites like the stomach

and lung no improvement in survival was indicated.

While these data derive from one State only, it may be presumed that similar improvements in survival prospects have occurred elsewhere in the United States, as well as in other western countries. (Source: Shimkin, M. B., Griswold, M. H., and Cutler, S. J., "Survival in Untreated and Treated Cancer," Annals of Internal Medicine, vol. 45, pp. 255-267 (1956).)

FIVE-YEAR SURVIVORS BY STAGE

60

50

40

30

20

ALL
STAGES

LOCAL-
IZED

REGIONAL

REMOTE

SOURCE: CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

26. What is the economic cost of cancer?

The economic loss to society due to cancer is heavy. The cost to the individual family is often catastrophic. Many of the more than 450,000 persons diagnosed each year as having cancer will cease to be productive members of society. This represents a tremendous loss of income to the families affected at the very time that expenses mount, because the disease has struck. The loss of productiveness, particularly on the part of a breadwinner, causes serious disruption of the family's economy. It has been estimated that the economic burden of cancer to society amounts to about $12 billion a year.

27. What are the prospects of reducing the toll from cancer?

Part of the cancer toll could be reduced by a full exploitation of presently available knowledge. It is estimated that about 50 percent of all cancer patients could be salvaged with the application of present methods of early diagnosis and intensive treatment, if these would be systematically applied to all patients.

This, however, leaves a tragic residual which can only be helped by new discoveries arising from cancer research.

Cancer research has three essential aims: the discovery of the cause or causes of cancer; the discovery of effective methods of diagnosis and treatment of cancer; and the discovery of methods for the prevention of cancer. The research methods needed to make these discoveries possible include basic research in the laboratory, clinical research, and research in epidemiology.

28. What do scientists generally regard as the most important elements of an integrated program of cancer research?

1. The training of research personnel.

2. Better communication among cancer research workers, through international symposia, exchange of scientists, etc.

3. The development of uniform definitions, standards, and nomenclature for measuring and reporting results of treatment.

4. Planning of research programs, using talents available anywhere in the world.

5. Financial aid to medical research.

29. What are the resources available for supporting the fight against cancer in the United States?

A variety of resources are available for the national effort against cancer. The National Cancer Institute of the U.S. Public Health Service conducts research in cancer, fosters research by others and promotes *** the coordination of all such researches and activities and the useful application of their results * * *" with the assistance of other Federal agencies, such as the Atomic Energy Commission.

Cooperating in this program is the American Cancer Society, the leading voluntary agency working against cancer. It also provides funds for research, and in addition engages in an extensive program of public education. It supports detection programs and diagnostic and treatment services and serves as the focus for voluntary activities.

The American Association for Cancer Research, representing professional groups, also participates in the effort against cancer, as do State and local health departments, universities, pharmaceutical houses, hospitals, etc.

Research is international and contributions toward the effort against cancer are made by scientists from all countries. To answer the many questions about cancer as quickly as possible all the skills available anywhere must be enlisted.