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Show to the editor War on Cancer by the most experienced physician To the Editor: As volunteers with the American Cancer Society here in Carbon County, we are frequently asked, Do you think there will ever be a cure for cancer? When one asks that question, one must be aware that cancer is not one disease but a large group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. And one must be aware that validation of the scientific evidence of progress in cancer control is a slow process, consuming years of repetition and reconfirmation. By the time the evidence is fully accepted by the scientific community, it is no sensational, longer rarely categorized as a breakthrough. So to see how far we have progressed we need to look back. In the 1930s the cancer survival rate was less than 20 percent only about one of five cancer patients was alive five years after treatment. In the 1940s, this advanced to one of four 25 percent. Then in the 1950s and 60s doctors were proud of their ability to cure one of every three cancer patients 33 percent. The cure rate has further extended to 41 percent for those patients diagnosed between 1967 and 1973. Recent data from the National Cancer Institute on patients treated from the 1973 through 1979 indicate conservatively a 46 percent cure rate with optimistic projections that may be as high as 50 percent one of every two patients, cured! Being more specific, the death of the cervix has declined 70 percent in the last 40 years. This remarkable accomplishment is largely due to effective early detection by the use of the cervical Pap Test. And we, the American Cancer Society, are very proud of the role the Society has played since the 1940s by continuously making the value of the Pap Test known to both the professional and to the public. Acute lymphocytic leukemia of childhood', ; a fulminant disease which, only a few decades ago, was fatal within weeks, now has a 50 percent five year survival rate. The cure rate of Hodgkins Disease has increased from 40 percent to 67 percent within the last decade, and rate from cancer early, childhood Hodgkins Disease is 90 percent curable. The cure rate of testicular cancer, some forms of which are biologically very aggressive, is now about 80 percent. . About 80 percent of children of Osteogenic Sarcoma, a cancer of the bone, were dead within two years of treatment which most and these minimal breast cancers are 96 percent curable. But if progress has been so good, why does the composite national death rate from all forms of cancer continue to increase? This is a valid question since a review of the trends in cancer control from about 1950 to 1980 does show that the death rate from all forms of cancer combined has increased by about 8 percent. But this increased death rate for all cancer is largely due to a single type of cancer lung cancer. During this interval, 1950 to 1980, while the death rate from all cancer rose 8 percent, the mortality from lung cancer in- creased 224 percent (175 percent for males and 250 percent for females). If we extract lung cancer deaths from all the others, we then find that the mortality from all the remaining cancer during this same time period actually declined by 10 percent. We are winning the war on most but the specific battle cancers with lung cancer is very difficult. The tragic irony with lung cancer control, as you know, is that while doctors do not yet know how to effectively detect it early and cure it, lung cancer is one of the few cancers we do know how to prevent since smoking tobacco is the cause of 85 percent of all lung cancers. As we review the panorama of progress over the last half century and note the acceleration during the last decade, we recognize that as we solve problems we find new ones and this is good. In the 1930s when our cure rate was low, just continuing to live after treatment for cancer was a success. However, we in the ACS do not limit our interest to the removal of the disease from the person, we are interested in the total human being. Therefore, since we can now cure half of the people with cancer, we must work at making life worth living after treatment. There are now more than 2 million Americans who are alive longer than 5 years after diagnosis of cancer. We hope that the number will continue to grow, and that each person will be happy and productive. We wish to thank all the many volunteers and the residents of our county who donated their time and money so generously. You did a great job. Wilma Hanson, President Carbon County Unit ACS Myrtle Bryner, Crusade Chairman Carbon Unit ACS To the Editor: The days are growing nearer to when the citizens of our country will gather around the nation to join hands, and each call for a halt to the increasing menace of nuclear proliferation, brought on by the dangerous policies of the United States and Soviet Union. There will be a rally held Saturday, June 12 in Salt Lake City, on the steps of the State Capitol to call for a nuclear arms freeze. Over to 3,000 persons are expected a Choriocarcinoma, malignant tumor in the womb .occurring after pregnancy, was uniformly fatal and now is vir100 tually percent curable by chemotherapy, even the when disease is wide spread. Finally, in the field of breast cancer, the use of mamography has made it possible for the radiologist to detect tiny breast cancers too small to be felt X-r- f (Vv' in conjunction with the opening of the Second U.N. Session on Disarmament in New York City. Rally organizers in New York City million expect over persons from across the nation to participate. We urge all those concerned and interested to attend this rally. There will be a meeting of the Castle Valley Coalition for a Nuclear Weapons Freeze on Wednesday, May 26 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Oliveto Building, 23 South Carbon Avenue, Price. The purpose of the meeting will be to gather names of those interested in attending the rally, who needs a ride and who can drive. There will be ample housing available in Salt Lake City for those needing it. Also discussed at the meeting will be plans for a petition drive to freeze the arms race. As of May 8, over 1,500 signatures had been gathered statewide in just three weeks. With Richard N. Aragon Praises hospital Freeze To the Editor: I recently underwent Socialist insult other petitions outstanding, perhaps another 500 or more may have been gathered. Discuss the freeze with your neighbors and your friends and encourage them to join the freeze campaign. If they desire further information, have them call after 5:00 p.m. weekdays, anytime on weekends. 637-72- To the Editor: As a Vietnam veteran and a member of the United Mine Workers of America, I personally take Alison Beckleys comments as an insult to organized labor. She speaks of harassment. Yes there is harassment by government, but what about the harassment given organized labor by the Socialist Workers Party. first-han- Examples: the only incidents to occur in Washington D.C. in March 1981 when the UMWA held their Black Lung Rally For Life and on Sept. 14, 1981 in Denver, when labor their held Solidarity Day Rally were when members of the Socialist Workers Party attempted to harass me and other union members. Also, I dont believe that they have the right to literally push their philosophy and paper (The Militant) on any individual. Mrs. Beckley and local members of the Socialist Workers Party, take a second look at yourselves before condemning our government and defining yourselves as defenders of one-ha- lf Borrowing is legitimate To the Editor: As Democratic Party Chairman, it has been brought to my attention that an explanation is needed concerning the tax anticipation borrowing practices of the Carbon County Commissioners. According to state statute, Utah Code Annotated 1953, counties are authorized to borrow labor organized surgery at Castleview Hospital and was extremely impressed with the care I received there. Everyone involved in my care, from those on surgery staff, nursing staff, dietary and lab, showed concern and courtesy at all times. I was pleased with the professionalism shown me and the smooth manner in which things were run. Perhaps those who are so willing to believe negative reports about d the hospital should have experience. I left Castleview confident that my family and I will be able to get the quality medical care we need. Becky Mead Price one-ha- lf organized payable on December 31, 1982. This money was borrowed for operating funds during the budget year 1982. The Carbon County budget year is from January 1st through December 31st of each year. In order to meet their obligations to provide services to county taxpayers, the county must borrow these funds. Local governments are not permitted to carry surpluses in their General Fund. They must spend only revenues received during the current year, according to the Uniform Procedures Act for Counties, which was enacted in 1975 by the state legislature. During the last five years, the Carbon County Commissioners have attempted to adhere to these laws mandated by the State. All money borrowed from the Tax Anticipation Note is received at the time the note is signed, and is then invested by the County Treasurer until it is needed. The Treasurer of has invested more than the money at the rate of 14.125 percent, and the remainder at over 13 percent. Therefore, the county should make interest revenues above the interest expenditures from the money borrowed. I feel the Carbon County Commissioners have acted in the best interests of the citizens of Carbon County. Catherine Peck, Chairman Carbon County Democratic Party Price For The Graduate... Trust Seiko Quartz technology to bring you the newest, most exciting timekeeping advances. In more ways than one. A call for often was amputation. Now 80 percent are alive and a goodly number do not require the loss of a limb. participate. This rally will be held Wednesday, May 19, 1982 Sun Advocate, Price, Utah 5A because youre not and we dont money not in excess of 90 percent want you to be. of the taxes and other revenues for True, our government isnt the current year. Under this perfect but throughout my travels statute, Carbon County ComI have found it to be the best and missioners borrowed $1,800,000 at the one I wish to live in and under. 11.25 percent interest, due and The impetus behind the state freeze campaign is strong and growing. It is time for the citizens of Castle Valley to join the freeze campaign in earnest. Please help us do it for please join us yourself ; do it for your children. David R. Meyer Rev. Alan Rekate Richard Rathers Castle Valley Coalition for a Nuclear Weapons The new Seiko Quartz "Master Planner." Five different animated picture alarms remind you ot important events in your schedule: important calls, special appointments, wake-u- p signals, deadlines, arrivals and departures. 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