125th anniversary of Suffrage in New Zealand

Cartwright Report condemns cancer treatment

5 August 1988

Metro cover, June 1987
Metro cover, June 1987 (Alexander Turnbull Library, Eph-D-SERIAL-Metro-1987-06)

The report was triggered by the publication in Metro magazine of ‘An Unfortunate Experiment’, an article by Sandra Coney and Phillida Bunkle which alleged that cervical cancer patients at Auckland’s National Women’s Hospital were receiving inadequate treatment.

Dr Herbert Green of the hospital’s cervical cancer clinic had become convinced that abnormal cells in the cervix did not necessarily progress to invasive cancer. Coney and Bunkle claimed that in 1966 he began monitoring patients without treating them or informing them that they were taking part in an experiment. A number of women developed cervical cancer, and some of them died.

The article caused public outrage and the government established a Committee of Inquiry, headed by Judge Silvia Cartwright, to investigate allegations of patient mistreatment.

The resulting ‘Cartwright Report’ condemned the experiment and proposed radical new measures to ensure patients’ rights, including the establishment of a National Cervical Screening Programme. A number of women received settlement packages.

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Anonymous

Posted: 18 May 2017

I don't know how to explain this but i know miracle happens and I'm one of them who encounter miracle in her life. Am Anise the woman who gave birth to a healthy bouncing baby boy 8 months and 2 weeks ago. When i was two weeks old pregnant the doctor have detected stage II ovarian cancer in me and i was so afraid that i will lose my baby in the process, i was losing my mind at that time but thanks to you all for your prayers for keeping the faith and believe that was created in us. I delivered my baby successfully with the help of doctor George Stan (healthcareremedy.24hrs at gmail dot com) therapy and cannabis oil. my cancer was cured and did not affect my baby. Doctor George Stan saved my baby and my life, God has reasons for our living and i want to tell you that you should never lose faith in any situation you find yourself in and try seeking for solutions instead of worrying and been afraid, you have to encourage yourself that you can do it. Please keep praying for cancer patients we all need help and guideline.