Celebrity Christmas (Frosty Pines

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CELEBRITY CHRISTMAS

FROSTY PINES CHRISTMAS

RUBY HILL
 CONTENTS

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Epilogue

Love Light Faith

 Celebrity Christmas
Text Copyright © 2023 by Ruby Hill

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any
manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the
use of brief quotations in a book review.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the
product of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual
persons, living or dead, or to actual events or locales is entirely coincidental.

First printing, 2023

Publisher
CozyRomanceBooks.com
 1

“W ould you look at that? That’s Charlie Williamson, isn’t it?”

The second woman leaned in to scrutinize the
magazine the first woman held. “Yes, that’s him! I can’t
believe someone from Frosty Pines is a superstar. That’s so great
that he landed that new movie role.”
Scarlett forced her gaze away, trying not to overhear the
conversation, and at the same time, feeling a curl of envy tighten
around her chest.
“You’d never believe he was from such a small town, not now.
Look how well he’s dressed! I bet that shirt cost more than my rent.”
The second woman tapped at the front cover of the magazine with
her other hand. “He does this town proud. It’s wonderful he’s
achieved so much lately.”
And I can’t even get my non-profit off the ground.
Squeezing her eyes closed, Scarlett let out a slow breath,
pushing away her jealousy and trying instead to build a swell of
happiness for Charlie’s success. She curled her hands into tight fists
for a few seconds, then unfurled her fingers. It shouldn’t matter one
bit that Charlie was now some big name in the movie business, and
in comparison, she was still in Frosty Pines, running a local drama
group in her spare time.
“You were in school with Charlie Williamson, weren’t you?”
 Scarlett looked up, recognizing the second woman who was now
talking to her. “Yes, we were, although that was a long time ago—
over a decade now.” They’d been high school sweethearts as well,
but it wasn’t like they needed to know that. “It’s amazing how much
he’s achieved.”
Letting the conversation drop away, she focused on what she
was supposed to be doing: checking through Mrs. Stephens’
shopping, which was mostly cleaning supplies and a pint of paint.
Trying to push Charlie out of her thoughts, her eyes drifted to the
magazine the two women had been gawking at, and he came
running right back into her mind. She’d never forgotten him. Now
and then, a little memory would pop up, and she’d find herself
remembering what it had been like to be in his arms.
All the same, it had always been a little frustrating to see how
well life was going for him while she was battling to even get her
dream started.
“He’s got a great place out in L.A., it says here.”
“That’s nice.” Clearing her throat, Scarlett shrugged. “I don’t
think I could leave here, though. Frosty Pines is my home.”
“Oh, mine too.” The other two women chimed their agreement,
putting a smile back on Scarlett’s face. The one thing she was happy
about, the one thing she’d never regretted, was staying at Frosty
Pines. It was where she belonged. She’d been born and raised here
and fully intended to spend the rest of her life in Frosty Pines if she
could. Everything she wanted and everyone she loved was here. Just
because Charlie had gone on to bigger and brighter things didn’t
mean that was what she wanted for herself. In fact, it was practically
the opposite.
“Scarlett. There you are.”
The warm voice of her friend—and soon-to-be sister-in-law—
brought a glad smile to Scarlett’s face.
“Hey, Fiona.”
“Hi.” Her friend came around the counter and hugged her tight.
“You look busy.”
“I’m always busy.” Scarlett grinned. “But then again, so are you.
How’s the coffee shop today?”
 “Hectic. Exactly the way Leo and I like it.”
Scarlett laughed as Fiona grinned back at her. Two years prior,
Fiona and Leo had won a Christmas coffee competition, and since
then, news about their coffee shop had traveled across the state.
Scarlett was sure it was part of the reason for a huge boom in
tourism over the last years, and it seemed like this Christmas would
not be any different. Scarlett was glad for her brother, not only for
the coffee shop business doing so well, but also because he had
Fiona in his life. She was the best thing that had ever happened to
him, and Scarlett didn’t think she’d ever seen Leo so happy.
“Your brother sent me over with a message.” A frown crossed
Fiona’s brow. “I don’t really understand it. He said to tell you that
Charlie is supposed to be back in town soon.”
Scarlett’s heart threw itself around her chest, ice dripping down
her back. “Did you say Charlie?”
“Uh… yeah, I think so. At least that was what Leo said. He saw it
online somewhere.” Cocking her head, Fiona looked long and hard at
Scarlett. “Who’s Charlie, and why does he make you go white?”
Swallowing hard, Scarlett shook her head and tried to laugh, but
it came out as a rattling wheeze. “Let’s just say he’s been on my
mind recently.”
“Who is he?”
“You’ll recognize him. I think almost everyone in America knows
who he is by now.” Grabbing her cell, she typed in his name and
then held it out to her friend. “This is Charlie.” She watched with a
knowing smile when Fiona’s eyebrows shot high. “See, I knew you’d
recognize him.”
“Wait, you know him?”
Scarlett nodded. “He’s from Frosty Pines. He and I grew up
together, and we got to know each other really well in high school.
We were in the same local drama group, and acting was always his
passion. He went one way with it, though, and I went another.”
When Fiona’s eyebrow arched, Scarlett only sniffed and looked away.
“He was back and forth to Frosty Pines for the first few years after
he left, but I’m guessing it’s been about five years since I last saw
him.”
 “Wow.” Fiona’s eyes widened and then looked back at Scarlett.
“And he’s back in Frosty Pines now? Have you kept in touch?”
Scarlett slid her cell phone back into her pocket. “No, not really.
I’ll admit, I’ve followed him and watched him slowly climb his way to
success.”
“And that bothers you?” Perceptive, Fiona eyed Scarlett carefully.
“Just because you’re not a big-time movie actor doesn’t mean that
you haven’t achieved anything.”
“But look at me!” Scarlett flung out her hands, gesturing to the
shop. “All I’ve done so far is work for my parents at their hardware
store. I’ve been here ever since I finished high school, which was
twelve years ago now, and I haven’t done anything with my acting.”
“You run that drama program for kids,” Fiona interrupted,
speaking with a little more firmness to her tone. “And you’re trying
to get that non-profit up and running, the one that’s going to be a
community theater?”
A wry smile touched Scarlett’s lips. “The first one isn’t exactly a
career highlight, and the second one… I can’t even think about that.
I’ve done a lot of the groundwork, but the startup costs are too
much to even look at right now, and all the record keeping I’ve got
to do is migraine-inducing. I could do with someone who knows
what they’re doing to help get it all going, but I don’t know who that
would be.”
Fiona’s eyebrows rose toward her hairline. “Why don’t you ask
Charlie?”
Spluttering, Scarlett shook her head. “No way.”
“Why not?”
“Because… because it’s Charlie! He’s most likely forgotten about
me. I can’t waltz up to him and tell him I’d like his help with the
non-profit.”
“I think you could. Getting a big-name actor behind you would
help grease some wheels, wouldn’t it? And they way you’re talking
about him makes it sound like he’s a good guy.”
Scarlett blinked. “He was, but we don’t know each other
anymore.” With a grimace, she turned away from her friend. “You
don’t understand. We had more than friendship between us, and
that’s made our relationship a little awkward—at least for me. Sure,
I’ve dated on and off, but there’s never been anyone like Charlie for
me, someone who shared the same passion as I did, someone who
really understood me.”
A glance over her shoulder told her Fiona was smiling. “It sounds
like he meant a lot to you.”
“Back then, he did, yes, but he hasn’t been back to Frosty Pines
in years, and it’s not like I’m planning on picking up where we left
off! I might say a quick hello, but that’s about it. I’m not sure your
idea would work.” Seeing how the light died in Fiona’s eye, Scarlett
immediately twisted around and grasped her hand. “But thank you.
I’ll think about it, okay?”
A small smile touched Fiona’s mouth. “Okay, well, you do that.”
With a firm nod, she made to step away, only to come back. “Oh, I
forgot. The whole reason I came here was to ask if you wanted to
come out to dinner sometime next week? Everything’s already
beginning to ramp up for Christmas, and with the coffee shop
already getting busier, it feels like we deserve a treat to help us get
through the six weeks leading up to Christmas Day!” With a grin, she
arched an eyebrow as Scarlett laughed.
“I definitely wouldn’t say no to that. Where are you thinking of
going?”
“The steakhouse?”
Scarlett grinned. “Sounds good to me.”
“Great! I’ll let Leo know, and I’ll make the reservation for next
week.” Fiona smiled and headed to the door. “I’d better get back. All
the lunch orders will be coming in soon.”
“Okay. See you later.” With a wave, Scarlett watched as Fiona left
the shop. It was only once her friend had gone, however, that she
turned away and let her eyebrows pull down into a frown.
Charlie’s going to be back in Frosty Pines.
The thought of seeing Charlie again was difficult enough, but to
go to him with the hope that he’d help her out with her community
theater was something else—and on top of that, she wasn’t even
sure she wanted to see him. It might evoke some more jealousy, a
bite of envy, and Scarlett was already battling enough of that.
 In a small town like Frosty Pines, though, that was going to be
pretty inevitable. It wasn’t a case of ‘if,’ but rather ‘when’ she’d lay
eyes on him. Sighing to herself, Scarlett dropped her head, looked
down at the floor, and silently wondered if Fiona was right. Maybe
this was an opportunity she needed to consider.
 2

C harlie stretched and yawned. Opening his eyes and looking

around the unfamiliar room, it took him a few seconds to
remember where he was.
It wasn’t a place he could really call home any longer, but then
again, he didn’t know where else home would be. He’d spent the
last twelve years working, going from one place to the next for
whatever job he could get, so it wasn’t like he had a secure home
base anymore. Sure, he had a house filled with stuff he either didn’t
need or barely had time to use, but it wasn’t home, not in the same
way as this house was.
Scrubbing one hand over his face, Charlie pushed himself up.
This house was as it had always been, and the town—or what he’d
seen of it so far—was much the same. Frosty Pines, Montana had
been a great place to grow up. Coming back, it brought a strange
sense of nostalgia, a feeling he wasn’t really used to. He’d never
given himself time to feel homesick.
Yawning again, Charlie swung his legs around the side of the bed
and stood up. What would it feel like to be back here for Christmas?
It had been over five years since he’d enjoyed Christmas with his
family. His older sister was happily married with children of her own,
but they’d promised to come to Frosty Pines the day after Christmas,
and Charlie could hardly wait.
I think I’ve been away for too long.
 With a grimace, Charlie rubbed one hand over his eyes, clearing
the sleep from them. He’d known how much his parents had wanted
him home for Christmas, no doubt desperately hoping he’d come
back to be with them over the festive season, but they’d never put
him under any pressure. They’d said they’d understood when he’d
told them about his career opportunities and the fact that he was so
busy, he didn’t have time to get away. That had all been true, of
course, although he’d been forced to inject a false sense of
happiness into his voice whenever he’d called. When Christmas Day
had rolled around, he’d missed being with them, at home with the
people and the places he knew and loved so well. He hadn’t had any
other choice, though, not if he’d wanted to get the breakthrough he
needed.
“Except now I’ve got it,” Charlie mumbled to himself. He pulled
on an old hoodie and sloped his way to the door. Almost eighteen
months ago, he’d gotten his big break, and since then, life had
changed dramatically. Instead of chasing jobs, they came to him. He
was in demand, his agent said, so when this December had rolled
around, Charlie had insisted on going home to Frosty Pines. His
agent hadn’t liked it, of course. He’d said Charlie would be better
staying in Los Angeles and promoting his latest film, being seen by
the media, getting his photo taken at Christmas parties and events—
anything to boost his public image.
Charlie was glad he’d insisted. The second he’d heard the smile
in his mom’s voice when they’d spoken about his Christmas plans
had told him how glad she was. His dad had been his usual gruff
self, but Charlie had known he’d been pleased. His mom had said as
much.
“Morning, Dad.”
His dad stood up from his chair, slapping one hand on Charlie’s
shoulder. “Morning, son. Did you sleep well? You sit down. I’ll fix you
some coffee, and your mom’s already cooking pancakes.” He nodded
across the kitchen to where Charlie’s mom was hovering over the
stovetop.
Charlie grinned. “Thanks. That all sounds great.”
 “We’re so glad to have you home.” His mom glanced over at him,
her cheeks rosy from the warmth of the pan. “Breakfast is coming
up in a few minutes.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“It’s no trouble, sweetie.”
Sitting down, Charlie let out a long, contented breath. It’s so
good to be home.
“You still take your coffee black?”
Charlie nodded and then accepted the coffee from his dad with a
warm smile. “Thanks.” Looking around the room, he settled back in
his chair a little more. “It’s great to be back in Frosty Pines.”
“We’re so glad to have you.” His mom smiled but blinked rapidly,
turning her head away, but not before Charlie had caught the
glassiness in her eyes, and a twist of guilt forced his smile away. He
really had been away for too many Christmases.
“You’re gonna have to try the Sugar Cookie Latte at Steamy
Mugs.” His dad grinned when Charlie looked at him in surprise. “I get
it, it’s maybe too sugary for your taste, but you can’t be in Frosty
Pines and not have one! Leo and Fiona have become famous for
their lattes—and we’ve had flocks of tourists coming to the town
because of them.” His eyes searched Charlie’s face. “You remember
Leo, right?”
“Of course I do. I haven’t been away for that long. He was a year
ahead of me in high school, but we got along well since I was close
with Scarlett. Last I saw him, he was trying to open up a coffee
shop. It’s great to hear it’s doing so well.”
His mom chimed in, “That Fiona has been a good thing for Leo.
He’s never stopped smiling since she showed up.”
That was the answer to Charlie’s unspoken question. “So Fiona
works for Leo?”
“With him,” his mom corrected. “Although I guess it was for him
when she first arrived. Apparently, she’d been treated really badly at
her last job, but it seems like everything’s turned around for her and
Leo.”
A slow smile edged itself across his face. “That’s great.”
 The next second, another face came into his mind, but he
slammed his mouth shut, refusing to ask his mom about Scarlett.
They’d kept in touch for the first few months after he’d left for L.A.,
but there had barely been any contact since then. Even when he’d
come back here, there had been quick hellos but nothing more—
regardless, he’d never forgotten about her. He’d been so busy with
his career, there hadn’t ever been any time for dating or even
thinking about dating. What he’d had with Scarlett back in high
school had been his last real relationship, although he was sure
she’d probably forgotten all about that by now. Maybe she was
married.
A hand twisted his heart.
“Scarlett’s been great with Fiona, too.” Serving up the pancakes,
his mom shot him a quick glance, which Charlie tried to ignore.
“Seems like Fiona didn’t have much family before she came here, so
Scarlett offered her the spare room at her place, since she lives
there alone, anyway. Fiona’s been staying with her ever since.”
She’s not married, then. “I’m really glad for Leo. When’s the
wedding?” Clearing his throat, he smiled when his mom squeezed
his shoulder before she sat down to join them at the table.
“Not until February—Valentine’s Day, actually.” Her head tilted. “I
remember you and Scarlett were close back in high school. Have you
kept in touch? I thought that maybe—”
“No, not really.” Charlie looked away, a little embarrassed to have
interrupted his mom. “What does she do with herself these days?”
“She’s working at her parents’ hardware store still, but she’s still
into all that.” Picking up the maple syrup, his dad poured it liberally
over his pancakes. “Acting, I mean.”
Charlie glanced at his mom, who was nodding. “Really?”
“Sure. There’s a children’s local drama program she volunteers
at, though I did hear that she was trying to set up a local non-profit
for the children of Frosty Pines—like a community theater? That
must have happened since the last time you were back home.” The
gentle smile on his mom’s face told Charlie exactly what she thought
of Scarlett’s idea.
 “She was always very kind.” This murmur was met with a firm
nod from his mom, although Charlie frowned. “Is anybody helping
her with that non-profit?”
With a twist of his lips, his dad shook his head. “Not as far as I
know. Getting a non-profit going is difficult, or so I hear. You could
always ask her about it. You’re bound to run into each other, and
maybe you’ll have enough time for a coffee together this time. After
all, you’re here for a while, aren’t you?”
Charlie looked down at his pancakes. “Yeah, I’m here until the
first week of January.”
“Plenty of time, then!”
“Yeah, maybe.” No doubt it would be a little awkward between
them if he asked her out for a coffee. It had been a long time since
they’d sat down and talked together. The fact that he’d stepped
away and left Frosty Pines—and her—behind meant he’d ripped a
gulf between them, one he wasn’t sure he’d be able to traverse.
Sure, it had been a long time ago, but the shadows of it were still
there.
“So, have you got any plans for Christmas while you’re here?
Anything you want to do or places you want to go?”
Glad for the change of conversation, Charlie shook his head. “I
just want to be here with you both. That’ll make a happy Christmas,
for sure.”
She smiled and squeezed his hand. “That’s all we want, too.”
“There’s the annual Christmas festival,” his dad suggested. “It’s
usually a good night.”
“It’s really expanded since the last time we went. They’ve got so
many wonderful stalls there now,” his mom added, her dark eyes
twinkling. “There’s the Christmas light switch on with that big
Christmas tree, Leo has his hot cocoa, Kaitlin has her bakery stall,
there’s the bookstore stall with Riley’s incredible bookish baskets—
plus a ton of gifts and trinkets. The candles are my favorite. I’ve
bought one every year.”
A contented happiness settled over him, and he smiled back at
his parents, looking first at his dad and then at his mom. “It all
sounds amazing, Mom. I’m sure this is going to be a great
Christmas.”

“I’ m so sorry .” Waving at his cell, Charlie jerked his head to the door.
“I’ll be right back for that.”
Embarrassed at how loudly his cell’s ringtone was echoing around
the coffee shop, he scuttled outside, keeping his head low. He’d
figured he’d come get one of the Sugar Cookie Lattes in the hopes of
saying hello to Leo, but only a young man called Neil had been at
the coffee counter. It was still being prepared, which meant he had a
couple of minutes to take a call.
“Hello?”
“Charlie?” The overly excited voice of his agent had Charlie
rubbing one hand over his eyes.
“I’m on vacation, Andrew,” he reminded him firmly. “That means
no calls, no inquiries, no auditions. I’ve got enough work to fill my
schedule for the next eighteen months.”
“Yes, yes, of course.” Andrew sounded a little nervous, given the
way his words kept tripping over each other. “I’m not calling you
because of that. I’m calling because… well, I’ve tried my best to
keep it from getting out, but the media has discovered you’ve gone
home for Christmas.”
A heavy weight dropped onto Charlie’s shoulders. “Wait, what?
How did they find out?”
“I don’t know.” The slight edge to Andrew’s tone hinted he might
be a little afraid Charlie would blame him for this. “You told me you
were really careful at the airport, but I’ve gotten a tip that there’s a
couple of media outlets really interested in what you’re doing and
where you are. I don’t know if anyone will actually show up to your
little town, but I thought it was best you knew.”
Charlie had quickly learned that this was one of the downsides of
being a famous actor. Getting his big break had been one thing, but
all the publicity and attention that came with it was quite another. In
a lot of ways, this change in his life was proving difficult for him to
go along with, much to Andrew’s exasperation.
“I swear, I’ll try not to interrupt the rest of your Christmas.”
Andrew coughed, his voice a little higher pitched. “Even if one very
important offer has come through, then I—”
“Then you’ll put it to one side until I’ve finished my vacation.”
Charlie spoke each word firmly, carefully ignoring the annoying urge
to ask exactly who had called and what they had said. “I’m only
going to be here until the first week of January. The last thing I need
right now is to get my head back into work. I want to be here with
my family. You get that, right?”
“I do. I absolutely do.” It was clear Andrew was backtracking,
and Charlie couldn’t help but grin. “And you’re right, I should wait
until after your vacation. It’s only that this is time sensitive, and…
never mind. It will wait. It definitely can wait. I’ll make sure it can
wait.”
“Thanks, you’re the best.” There was an obvious hint of irony in
his tone, but Andrew only laughed. They had a good rapport, and
since Andrew respected his boundaries—on the whole, at least—
Charlie was grateful for him. Andrew had been his very first agent
and was still his only agent. What he had done in getting Charlie to
where he was now meant a lot. “Thanks for the warning, Andrew. I
hope you have a good Christmas when it comes.”
“Thanks.”
With a sigh, Charlie ended the call, silently praying Andrew
wouldn’t have another reason to get in touch before Christmas,
although he had to admit the warning was appreciated. Rolling his
eyes to himself, Charlie wondered exactly how many of the hungry
media giants would really make their way to Frosty Pines. Surely
there was more for them to do—and better stories to grab—than
coming to a small town in the hopes of snapping a couple of photos
of him on vacation! Part of the reason he loved being back home
again was simply that he could just be Charlie Williamson, not
Charlie Williamson, the actor, Charlie Williamson, the celebrity who
liked eating at high-end restaurants, who went to art gallery
openings and spoke on panel shows. This felt more comfortable.
Frosty Pines let him be who he was rather than the person he had to
pretend to be a lot of the time.
With a wince, he swung around on one heel, ready to stride back
into the coffee shop, only to slam straight into someone smaller, who
then staggered back with a yelp of surprise. As he went to help
them, stammering an apology, Charlie’s eyes fixed themselves on
none other than Scarlett Gilbert.
 3

W hatever Scarlett had walked into was solid and unyielding,

forcing her to stumble back. A firm hand caught her arm,
helping her to gather herself, and as she looked up into wide,
hazel eyes, her own flared with surprise.
Oh.
“Charlie… hi.”
Charlie’s hand dropped from her arm, his broad smile suggesting
he was thrilled to see her. “Scarlett. It’s so good to see you. It’s been
so long.”
Without warning, Charlie bent forward and hugged her. With no
other choice but to respond, she put her arms around his neck and,
standing on tiptoe, fought to keep her balance so he wouldn’t pull
her off her feet. He’d always been tall, with those familiar broad
shoulders leading down to strong arms which were presently
wrapped around her. The instant tension which had been roaring like
a lion when she’d realized who he was slowly began to quieten. It
was almost a comfort to be held so tightly. He had definitely filled
out a lot more since high school—but she recognized that familiarity
all the same.
“Good to see you, too.” Trying to extract herself from his arms,
she pushed away the sensation of comfort. It took a second longer
for Charlie’s hands to fall back to his sides, and at the lingering
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No statement of the cancer problem would be complete without
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The action of both these methods of treatment is in essence the
same. It has been found that X-rays and radium have the power of
destroying living tissue when such is exposed to their action for
varying lengths of time. Fortunately, cancerous tissue is destroyed
before normal healthy tissue, and it is the aim of the treatment to
expose the growth to that dosage of rays which will kill the malignant
tissue but just fall short of doing harm to the normal tissue.
Sometimes this is more easily done with X-rays and sometimes with
radium; it all depends on the position of the growth. This all sounds
very attractive, and one would think that, on the surface of things,
with such a weapon at our disposal, every case could easily be
efficiently dealt with. But, like many other superficially attractive
things, it is found on further examination to have its drawbacks.
Although a proper dose of X-rays will kill cancer tissue, a smaller
dose will stimulate it to further action. Further, these rays have,
comparatively speaking, a very low penetrating power. They are
absorbed and rendered inactive by thin layers of metal, of skin or of
other tissue.
Now, as has already been explained, a malignant growth, as well
as extending superficially, tends to spread very deeply and also to
involve neighbouring structures, and when X-rays or radium are
applied to it, we find that in some cases it will deal with the more
superficial parts of the growth but leave the deeper parts untouched,
or even more active than before. All kinds of methods have been
tried to get over this, such as burying radium in the substance of the
growth, and using very big doses, applied to various aspects of the
growth, but, so far, although there have been some very encouraging
results, the problem has not been solved.
As has been said, it is extremely difficult to estimate the exact
value of this treatment, as no figures are of any value till seven years
at least have elapsed after treatment, and no such figures have been
published. There can be no doubt, however, that an occasional case
has been cured, but it is the experience of all that the results of
radium treatment do not approximate in any way to the percentage
of cures obtained by surgery, even in those types of cancer which
react best to X-rays or radium.
Dr Knox, of the Cancer Hospital, London, who has had much
experience of high tension X-rays, says that the treatment of
malignant disease by X-rays has not yet reached that stage where it
ought to be given to any operable case instead of an operation. I
think this opinion may be regarded as an authoritative statement of
the situation as it is at present.
This is not all, however; X-rays and radium have a very important
place in the treatment of cancer, and as far as we can see at
present, the future hope lies in a judicious combination of one or the
other of these with surgery, for early operable cases, and their
prolonged and intensive use in those advanced cases which cannot
be removed by other means. A few advanced cases have even been
rendered operable by this means.
In combination with surgery this method has its very greatest use
in the prevention of superficial recurrences. In every operation, in
spite of the greatest care, it is impossible to avoid the setting free
into the tissues of a few cancer cells which may grow later into a
recurrence. Post-operative radiation bids fair to abolish this type of
recurrence, which formerly accounted for a good percentage of all
recurrences.
From time to time many methods have been brought forward
which have for a little while promised well, but so far none of them
has produced results in any way comparable with those obtained by
complete removal of the growth by surgical means.
I have not dealt with these in any detail here because, whether
ultimately we use drugs, surgery, violet leaves or any of the recently
popularised methods of “taking thought” to cure the disease, the
main point of my thesis will still hold good, and that is, that by far the
most important factor in the cure of the disease is that of early
diagnosis. This lies in the hands of the public far more than in those
of the medical profession. If the public want early diagnosis they will
get it, when they insist on it, just as they get anything else they insist
on, from self-government to prohibition, no matter how good or bad it
may be for them.
Briefly stated, most cases of early cancer are curable, and the
diagnosis of early cancer is only to be made by looking instead of
waiting. On these facts, certain constructive proposals can be based.
They are so simple that they are not likely to be heeded for some
time to come, for the public has always preferred Abana and
Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, to washing in Jordan, and I suppose
always will do, till we reach a more enlightened age.
Nevertheless I believe it is true, and without exaggeration, to say
that about ninety per cent. of all cases could be cured or prevented if
the following statements were accepted.
If all persons over forty years of age were routinely examined once
every six months to see that they had not cancer, or a precancerous
condition, and if these when found were promptly dealt with, then
cancers of the rectum, tongue, lip, breast, skin and uterus would
cease to be the plagues they are at present.
Similarly, if every patient who had taken more than a pound of
bismuth to relieve gastric pain were routinely explored to see that
cancer or gastric ulcer did not exist, the large majority of growths in
this region would be either prevented or cured. Similar rules can
easily be devised to deal with cancers arising in other parts. What is
wanted is a change of attitude on the part of everyone concerned.
After all, a fortnight in bed, with forty-eight hours of discomfort, is not
too great a price to pay for freedom from this disease, and, with
proper examination, even this would be unnecessary in most cases.
Every intelligent person is aware that, in order to ensure freedom
from dental disease, it is necessary to have his teeth examined
every six months, and to have small lesions dealt with in their very
early stages. All have come to this conclusion because they know
that neglected dental disease means pain; and they now look to see
that their teeth are normal, instead of waiting for a toothache to
come. It is true that there are still some of our weaker brethren who
still wait till they get toothache before they visit the dentist; and for
them there is nothing to be done. In the same way, if we wait for the
advanced signs of cancer to develop, the position with regard to its
cure will remain approximately what it is to-day.
The education of the public up to this pitch is by no means an
impracticable proposal. The position with regard to appendicitis is
very much the same as that of cancer. What has been done in the
case of appendicitis? The mortality is in proportion to the number of
hours during which the disease has existed. Twenty years ago
appendicitis was responsible for a large number of deaths. During
1919 and 1920 there was, in a large London General Hospital, only
one death from appendicitis, and yet there were at least 5 cases
dealt with every week. This improvement is entirely the result of
education of the public and their doctors. They know that to be cured
operation must be early, and so we no longer wait to see whether the
patient is going to die; if we suspect it, we look and see whether it is
present or not. True, we remove unnecessarily a fair number of
appendixes but, by so doing, we purchase, for a much larger number
of people, immunity from death by this disease. When exactly the
same principle is applied to cancer we shall be in a position to be a
great deal more satisfied than we are at present.
One of the most successful ways of treating a patient with fixed
ideas is by the use of explanation combined with strong counter-
suggestion. This is the method of psycho-analysis and hypnotism.
No patient is more susceptible to this kind of treatment than that
capricious lady, Public Opinion. If we want to realise the ideals put
forward in the early part of this essay, we must mobilise all our
resources: the Press; the Platform; the Consulting Room: for a
prolonged and intensive campaign against this black spot on our
civilization.
 TO-DAY AND TO-MORROW
DAEDALUS: or Science and the Future
By J. B. S. Haldane. 5th imp.
ICARUS: or The Future of Science
By Hon. Bertrand Russell, F.R.S. 3rd imp.
THE MONGOL IN OUR MIDST
By F. G. Crookshank, M.D.
WIRELESS POSSIBILITIES
By Prof. A. M. Low
NARCISSUS: or The Anatomy of Clothes
By Gerald Heard
TANTALUS: or The Future of Man
By Dr F. C. S. Schiller
THE PASSING OF THE PHANTOMS
By Prof. C. J. Patten
PERSEUS: of Dragons
By H. F. Scott Stokes
LYSISTRATA: Woman’s Future and Future Woman
By A. M. Ludovici
CALLINICUS: a Defence of Chemical Warfare
By J. B. S. Haldane
QUO VADIMUS?: Glimpses of the Future
By E. E. Fournier d’Albe
THE CONQUEST OF CANCER
By H. W. S. Wright, M.S., F.R.C.S.
WHAT I BELIEVE
By Hon. Bertrand Russell, F.R.S.
THE FUTURE OF SEX
By Rebecca West
 THE EVOCATION OF GENIUS
By Alan Porter
HYPATIA; or Woman and Knowledge
By Dora Russell (Hon. Mrs Bertrand Russell)
ÆSCULAPIUS: or Disease and The Man
By F. G. Crookshank, M.D.

Other Volumes in preparation

KEGAN PAUL & CO., LTD., LONDON.

Transcriber’s Notes:
Punctuation and spelling inaccuracies were silently
corrected.
Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved.
Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been
preserved.
 *** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE
CONQUEST OF CANCER ***

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