Statistics of Survival

Since 1935, the Metropolitan General Hospital in Windsor, Ont. has been keeping careful follow-up records on all patients treated for cancer. Main conclusion, as reported by Dr. Norman A. McCormick in the current Canadian Medical Association Journal: "Ample proof that this disease can be cured." Because five symptom-free years are the medical yardstick for cure, the study stops after 1947. Items:

P: In the 13-year period, the hospital treated 4,523 patients for cancer (as established by pathology tests). Of these, 1,204 lived for at least five more years. Of the 298 who died after five years, only 91 died of cancer, 207 died of other causes. The rest (906) are well and free from any sign of the disease.

P: Excluding patients with easily curable skin cancers, 17% of those admitted in 1935 survived the critical five-year period. By 1947, the five-year survival rate had risen steadily to 45%.

During the 13 years, said Dr. McCormick, there was no major change in hospital equipment. Improved results, he believes, are "due mainly to an increased familiarity with the disease, influenced to a lesser degree by the use of antibiotic and hormonal therapy."

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.