DELAY IN THE TREATMENT OF CANCER

Abstract

Cancer ranks second only to cardiorenal disease in our mortality statistics. The attempt to reduce this appalling figure has been directed along two chief lines, namely the prevention and the cure of the disease. In order to accomplish either of these ends it is now generally recognized that both the medical profession and the public must be better informed regarding the cancer problem. Various national, state and local organizations have instituted educational programs better to accomplish this purpose. The need for such an educational program has been clearly recognized by many physicians for well over a century. While considerable progress has been made, we are nevertheless far short of the goal and the cancer death rate during the past century has been steadily increasing. The present study was undertaken in order better to evaluate the effectiveness of our present educational program. It is generally recognized that the treatment of cancer