The Search for Cancer Viruses (NET Science and USPHS, 1966)

This Net Science film begins by introducing a child named Sandra with leukemia and following her as she gets routine blood work done. The narrator then explains that scientists are seeking to prove that a virus is the cause of cancer in humans. Doctors Grace and Stuart are called upon to help explain the present knowledge. The narrator explains that cancer is a disease of the cells, and then gives a brief description of cells, and shows through time-lapse photography how normal cells and cancerous cells reproduce differently under a microscope.

Individualization of Primary Surgical Therapy for Breast Cancer (USPHS, 1969)

Jerome A. Urban, M.D. lectures, using diagrams, graphs, and photographs. Three surgical approaches to breast neoplasms are discussed: modified radical mastectomy, radical mastectomy, and extensive radical mastectomy. Modified radical is indicated when: tumor is in situ and confined to the breast, tumor is low-grade, non-aggressive. Photographs shown of Paget's disease, nipple lesions, eczema of nipple with crusting. Radiation therapy should follow surgery. Modified radicallooks better and allows better function than the radical or extensive radical.

Challenge: Science Against Cancer (Canada Dept. of Health & Welfare, US Nat'l Cancer Inst., 1950)

This film attempts to explain why researchers are having a difficult time discovering the causes and cures for cancer. It begins with an overview of the birth of man from one cell and generally explores the complexity of the human body. It shows the isolation and testing of cancer cells and explains the effects of heredity and environment on normal cells. It explains the difficulties of tracing several generations for heredity research and the multitude of chemicals, etc. which affect cells and turn them cancerous.

Childhood Cancer: Current Outlook (USPHS; American Radium Society, 1969)

This film was created as a professional educational extension of the American Radium Society on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. The film stresses the need for multiple disciplines to work together to treat childhood cancer. The three disciplines represented on this panel discussion were: surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Three childhood cancer cases were discussed: a 9-month old with a tumor on the right kidney, a 7-month old with a tumor in the left groin, and a 10-year-old boy with a tumor on the arm.

Alerte: Science Contre Cancer ( l'Office national canadien du film, 1950)

This is the film Challenge: Science Against Cancer accompanied by a French soundtrack. It illustrates the importance of continued research in laboratories around the world in order to solve the problem of cancer, and aims to explain the current difficulties in identifying causes and cures. It begins with an overview of the birth of man from one cell and explores the complexity of the human body. It shows the isolation and testing of cancer cells and explains the effects of heredity and environment on normal cells.

The HeLa Cell Strain: Cervical Carcinoma (Assn of American Medical Colleges, 1956)

The purpose of this presentation is to describe and demonstrate the characteristics of the cultured cells taken originally from a patient with cervical carcinoma. This objective is achieved with the aid of time lapse photography taken at various speeds. In this presentation the harvesting of the cells and the preparation of the culture are first described and demonstrated in a step-by-step fashion. The development of the freshly transferred culture is then demonstrated as itis photographed at one frame per minute.

Cancer Among Veterans: Early Diagnosis (U.S. Veterans Administration, 1946)

This film describes cancers of the mouth, lip, throat, neck, eye, nose, and skin in both early and advanced, severe stages. It discusses the need for early diagnosis and treatment, probable causes of such cancers, the need for research, and the modern facilities available at the Veterans Hospital in Hines, Illinois. Produced by the U.S. Veterans Administration.

Drugs Against Cancer (NET Science, 1968)

In this film made for National Educational Television and Radio Center (NET), the search for anti-cancer properties in plants and animals is outlined. Workers are shown gathering plants and starfish, processing this material, and running studies on mice, rats, and monkeys to determine whether or not the extracted compound is efficacious in reducing tumor size or remitting leukemia. If the compound proves to be efficacious, it is analyzed to try to determine the active agent. Attempts are made to synthesize new cancer agents.

The Dentist and Cancer (American Cancer Society, 1966)

This program discusses the techniques dentists can use to detect oral cancer. The program begins with an examination of a patient who has had oral cancer and emphasizes the importance of early detection to prevent metastases. The program stresses that cancer in different oral sites presents with different problems. The presentation includes the symptoms, incidence and distribution of cancer of the lower lip, tongue and floor of the mouth. The program presents a routine examination with emphasis on the symptoms representative of cancer.

Cancer: The Problem of Early Diagnosis (NCI and American Cancer Society, 1949)

This film is an overview of the five most deadly forms of cancer and emphasizes the need for early detection. It shows the symptoms, maturation, examination, and effective treatment including the surgery for breast, cervix, stomach, rectum, and lung cancers. It gives statistics and mortality rates for each type. It also includes a dramatization of the 1881 first stomach cancer operation performed by Dr. Billroth in Vienna, Austria. Film says simple mastectomies have no place in cancer operations. Produced by the American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute.

The Reward of Courage [Silent] (American Society for the Control of Cancer, 1921 (sdtrk 2011)

A Rediscovered Cancer Film of the Silent Era This version has been modified with the addition of a sound track, titles, and credits. In 1921 the American Society for the Control of Cancer released The Reward of Courage. The film, a silent melodrama, was designed to persuade viewers to visit a physician for regular checkups and at the first sign of the disease.

The Reward of Courage [Silent] (American Society for the Control of Cancer, 1921)

A Rediscovered Cancer Film of the Silent Era In 1921 the American Society for the Control of Cancer released The Reward of Courage. The film, a silent melodrama, was designed to persuade viewers to visit a physician for regular checkups and at the first sign of the disease.

Le Cancer (l'Office national du film du Canada, 1950)

This film is excerpted from the full-length Challenge: Science Against Cancer. Portions are presented in French and portions in English. A patient, Mr. Davis, enters the medical office. He is shown to have a treatable cancerous lesion on his face. Several doctors discuss the case and the recommended treatment. The film shows cells and cell division, laboratories, the use of microscopes, and experiments with mice. The treatment for Mr. Davis begins immediately and uses radium.

Enemy X (USPHS, 1942)

"Enemy X" is a mysterious killer. People are found slumped over, the mark of the X on their bodies. This production with a dramatic opening turns out to be a film within a film, and evolves into a discussion of cancer, the number of deaths it causes annually, and how it can be identified and treated through regular physical examinations and attention to symptoms and signs. Members of the American Society for the Control of Cancer, including Director Clarence C. Little and Mrs. Marjorie G. Illig, Commander of the Women's Field Army, are featured.

Malignant Tumors of the Lungs (Assn of American Medical Colleges, 1953)

This film shows, by means of cinefluorography, the normal lungs, bronchiogenic carcinoma, carcinoma with abscess formation, metastases of seminoma, and metastases of sarcoma with bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax. Learn more about this film and search its transcript at NLM Digital Collections: http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/8700985A. Learn more about the National Library of Medicine's historical audiovisuals program at: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/collections/films