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Heredity.
There is no evidence to show that transmission of the disease from
parent to offspring itself has ever occurred. It may be that, as in the
case of tuberculosis, the children of cancerous parents may acquire
more or less vulnerability congenitally. If so transmitted, then why
does it not show itself soon after birth ? The advocates of heredity
cannot trace cancerous parentage in more than 50 per cent, of cases of
this disease. The occurrence of cancer in several members of a family
after the death of parents from that disease, is evidence of infection
from an obvious source.
Prevention of Cancer.
1. Notification. The microscopists have not found out the cause
of cancer. Is it not time that, accepting the possibility that cancer is
an infectious disease, of a low degree of infectivity, the disease should
be made compulsorily notifiable ? What we require is careful enquiry
into each case, the history, the house, the environment, sanitation,
habits, family history, occupation, etc., etc. We are doing absolutely
nothing in Deptford just now unless by disinfection, by consent, at death.
The situation is absurd; we are folding our hands in pessimistic despair.
Let the Borough Council approach the Ministry of Health and ask for
powers to have the disease made compulsorily notifiable locally. The
Ministry may reply that, as cancer has not been proved to be an infectious
disease, therefore it cannot be made notifiable. Perhaps the
Ministry might do this for Deptford, as an experiment, on condition
that full records of the inquiries be supplied to them, the inquiry to be
made on lines approved by the Ministry. It would be somewhat
discouraging if we did not receive a helpful reply. Notification would
be more accurate as regards localities where the disease arises than the
information which can be now obtained from statistics as to the places
of death from cancer.
2. Disinfection. Until notification comes into being, it is desirable
that we should circularise the medical profession locally that we shall
be glad to have their kind influence in persuading the relatives of any
who have died of cancer to have thorough disinfection of the house,
bedding, clothing, etc., and to permit a few enquiries to be made by the
Medical Officer of Health in person, on the lines indicated above,
preferably as soon as the diagnosis is made.