Archive Report
Archive Report
Facing the Facts About Cancer
Change in Public Attitude Toward Cancer
Recognition by the American public that it must face the facts about cancer is shown by voluntary contributions of more than $13 million to support the work of the American Cancer Society in 1951 and the ready approval by an economy-minded House of Representatives of a grant of $19.5 million for work of the National Cancer Institute during the fiscal year 1952.
The present wide discussion of cancer as a national health problem represents a significant change in the attitude of the public toward the disease. Hardly more than a decade ago, the word “cancer” was seldom used in social conversation, at least in connection with individual cases. Relatives of cancer victims begged doctors not to ...