Kampen mod kræften (1947) - full transcript

THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER

The National Society

for the Fight against Cancer

For whom tolls the bell?

For someone who waited too long.

But you had better hear

how it happened.

DIED TODAY, 32 YEARS OLD.

There is a lump in one breast.

A hard lump, isn't it?

What do you think, Professor?

I hope that it is benign.

But you can never tell

until it's been analysed.

So what now, Professor?

The best thing would be

to have you admitted to the hospital

straightaway, to have it removed.

But what if it's just benign,

like you say?

Then there's no risk

of it becoming malignant.

So you're not really sure

whether it is malignant or not?

No, first I must do some tests.

Surely you don't want me to stay

at the hospital just like that?

- Yes, I do.

- Now?

- Immediately?

- Yes.

If you are admitted straightaway,

I can almost promise

that you can be completely cured,

even if it turns out to be cancer.

The sooner you get treatment,

the better your chances are.

I don't understand, Professor.

ls it that urgent?

I'm not in pain.

Be glad of that.

Once you are in pain,

the chances are not good.

As long as the cancer is limited

to the mammary glands,

it is not so serious.

But if it spreads, it can soon

become serious, or even hopeless.

Therefore you should

be admitted immediately.

Right now is not possible.

- Why not?

- It's my husband's birthday next week.

The following week he is on holiday,

and we're going on a oar journey.

I understand that

you would like to go on that trip.

But it would be much better

to have it taken care of immediately.

Maybe, but I can't do that.

We have both been looking forward

to that trip so much.

And maybe this is nothing.

Maybe it will just disappear.

Well, I think

you're making a big mistake.

Maybe. Don't be angry with me,

but I'll take the chance.

You shouldn't. It will be

your own responsibility.

And remember that each week

that passes can become fatal.

- I will, Professor. Goodbye.

- Goodbye.

- I'll come back as soon as I can.

- Don't wait too long.

She did wait too long.

Why wouldn't she listen?

Isn't it incredible

that people can be so careless?

- They think it will be all right.

- Exactly.

If only people would understand

that it's a matter of life and death.

Please sit down.

Oh, yes, the sore on the lip.

- How long have you had it?

- About a month.

And it won't heal?

No. I thought I'd better

let you look at it.

You were wise to do that.

Let me have a look.

There is no doubt-

this is a cancerous sore.

But it's not very big.

Therefore we can soon cure it.

Follow the doctor, we'll treat you

straightaway and you'll get better.

There was someone who did not wait

until it was too late.

Wouldn't you like to see

some photographs of lip cancer?

You are new on this ward.

RADIUM THERAPY

There.

Now don't move until I come back.

This is a new case of lip cancer.

When the cancer

is no bigger than this,

you have a 100% chance of curing it.

This is before treatment

and after treatment.

But here you see

a more severe case.

You can expect to cure around 65%

of cases like this.

But here you have a case of

very severe and advanced lip cancer.

In such cases,

maybe just 5 or 10% are cured.

And the others?

Well, they die.

RADIUM THERAPY

- There. That was it.

- Was that all?

That wasn't so bad, was it?

- No. But am I cured now?

- You should be.

But you mustn't forget

to come for a check-up.

- Certainly not. When do I come back?

- In three months.

- Goodbye.

- Don't forget.

VERY IMPORTANT: YOU MUST COME

FOR REGULAR CHECK-UPS.

How do you do, Mrs Holm.

Please sit down.

I have just received the result

of the microscopic analysis.

What does it say?

It says that there is a small ulcer

on the uterus that must be treated.

You mustn't be too frightened.

It also says that

it's a rather benign case.

Oh, how terrible.

You mustn't expect the worst.

It isn't all that bad,

because you've had the sense

to get here in time.

What can be done about it?

We'll keep you here

at the hospital,

and then we'll do

what is necessary.

Yes, please.

Will you take care of Mrs Holm?

- Will she be cured?

- I believe so.

She came during the first stage,

if you know what that means.

- It was never explained properly.

- Then I'll explain it.

Come along.

Please sit down.

This is the first stage

that we talked about.

The uterine cancer is limited

to the neck of the uterus.

Of this type, about 60% are cured.

That's the first stage.

At the second stage, the uterine

cancer has spread to the vagina.

That's already more serious,

and only about 40% are cured.

At the third stage, the cancer

has broken through to the pelvic wall.

Of this type, around 20% are cured.

Finally, at the fourth stage,

the cancer has spread

to organs around the uterus,

the bladder and the intestine,

for example.

That type is so hopeless

that hardly anyone is cured.

You can see how serious

these last stages are.

So we must never tire

of repeating again and again

that people must see a doctor

as soon as they notice anything

that might be a sign of cancer.

Now you know so much more.

Mrs Eriksen is leaving.

Mrs Eriksen? That's right,

she's being discharged today.

Those are all people

who did not wait too long.

DON'T WAIT TOO LONG!

IF YOU ARE IN ANY DOUBT

WHATSOEVER, SEE YOUR DOCTOR.

REMEMBER THAT HE IS THE ONE

WHO MUST REFER YOU

TO THE RADIOLOGY DEPARTMENT.

DENMARK HAS THREE LARGE

RADIOLOGY DEPARTMENTS

- ONE IN COPENHAGEN -

- ONE IN ODENSE -

- AND ONE IN AARHUS -

THE END