London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Greenwich 1952
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough]
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In recent years, there has been a tendency for cancer of the lung to increase and the following table has again been included in order that this trend may be studied :— DEATHS FROM CANCER OF LUNG (including Bronchiogenic Carcinoma)
| Year | AGE GROUPS | Rate per 1,000 Pop. | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 and under 45 yrs. | 45 and under 65 yrs. | 65 and under 75 yrs. | 75 and upwards | Totals | Grand Totals | |||||||
| M | F | M | F | M | F | M | F | M | F | |||
| 1946 | 2 | — | 12 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 16 | 1 | 17 | 0.22 |
| 1947 | 2 | — | 13 | — | 8 | 1 | 1 | — | 24 | 1 | 25 | 0.30 |
| 1948 | 1 | — | 18 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1 | — | 26 | 2 | 28 | 0.33 |
| 1949 | 1 | — | 11 | 3 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 25 | 5 | 30 | 0.34 |
| 1950 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 21 | 8 | 29 | 0.32 |
| 1951 | 1 | — | 26 | 3 | 15 | — | 3 | 3 | 45 | 6 | 51 | 0.57 |
| 1952 | 2 | — | 15 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 27 | 4 | 31 | 0.34 |
| Totals | 10 | 1 | 109 | 13 | 54 | 7 | 11 | 6 | 184 | 27 | 211 | Average for 7 yrs. 0.34 |
Current figures still give a ratio of 7 males to each female death
from this cause and the age group 45 to 65 years still proves to be
the period of greatest mortality.
Once again I must reiterate that many misconceptions regarding
Cancer exist in the minds of the public, e.g., that Cancer is an
hereditary disease ; that it is infectious or contagious ; or that
clironic irritation or inflammation causes Cancer. Not one of these
assumptions has been proved scientifically. Moreover, it is
becoming more evident that under certain conditions Cancer is a
curable disease but at the moment the most important factor is
time. Unfortunately, many cases are beyond cure before advice
is taken. At the risk of producing a few hypochondriacs it is
obvious that greater efforts must be made to educate the public for
the latest available information supports the fact that delay in
seeking medical advice is becoming more prolonged.