3 NOVEMBER 1923, Page 15

DR. ROBERT BELL AND CANCER.

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]

SIE,-.4 have read Dr. Robert Bell's letter in the Spectator with sincere regret. Dr. Bell has written much that is inter- esting and useful about the causation of cancer. When, however, he asserts "that 75 per cent. of cancer patients can be cured without operation" he is stating what we all know to be absolutely false. If, on the other band, he means that by attending to the diet and habits of the community 75 per cent. of cancer cases can be avoided, I entirely agree with him. I trust this is what he intends to convey by his words. If so, he should state it more clearly as many unfortunate sufferers from cancer may be led to postpone operative interference till too late.

If, on the contrary, Dr. Bell believes that he can cure 75 per cent. of cancer cases by his method without operation it is clearly his bounden duty to give his profession and the public the fullest information as to the means he adopts to effect such a wonderful result.—! am, Sir, &c.,