(2 of 2)
Dr. Alice E. Moore, of Manhattan's Sloan-Kettering Institute, reported success in destroying cancer (Sarcoma 180) in mice by injecting the virus that causes the Russian Far East type of encephalitis. It was the kind of experiment that researchers call "exciting" because it was the first time that a virus has been known to kill a malignant tumor. Unfortunately, the virus also killed the mice.
In Chicago, doctors at a meeting sponsored by the American Medical Association heard reports from 50 cooperating institutions on the use of sex hormones in treating cancer of the breast. Conclusion: sex hormones can be considered an accepted treatment for breast cancer that is too far advanced for treatment by radiation and surgery. Male hormones produced no cures, but relieved pain in 65% of 293 cases.
While the scientists were swapping notes, the American Cancer Society, hoping to raise $14,500,000 this year, stepped up its "Cancer Control Month" campaign. For the first time it was using all the tricks of modern advertising, including "comic" books and plugs on television and radio. The A.C.S. also concluded that some of the old slogans (like "Every three minutes someone dies of cancer") were unnecessarily grim and frightening. The new slogan is serious but hopeful: "Cancer can strike anyone. But you can strike back."