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The effects of screenings at Well Women Clinics will, of course, not be evident at this
stage.
Lung cancer continues to be one of the darkest threats to the health of the
nation. Statistics issued this year by the Registrar General show that although the
population of Great Britain in 1961 had increased by nine percent since 1920, deaths from
lung cancer had risen during this period from 592 to 25,288. Although many cases were
probably undetected as long ago as 1920, it is significant that the consumption of cigarette
tobacco in Great Britain had risen from 80.3 million pounds in 1920 to 243.1 million
pounds in 1961; the gradual rise in tobacco consumption may have some bearing on the
number (29,941) of lung cancer deaths in 1968.
Because of its many different forms and long term effects, cancer poses particular
problems in health education. These were examined in the report of a group of Medical
Officers of Health from various parts of the country whose views were invited early in the
year by the Working Party of the Department of Health and Social Security Standing
Sub-Committee on cancer. Reference was made to the considerable amount of smoking
amongst schoolchildren to whom the possibility of serious illness or death in middle age is
too remote to be understood, and the defensive resistance which is often induced in
campaigns or teaching programmes which lay too much emphasis on smoking or specific
types of cancer.
Sex Education: Publicity on this subject, including the availability of local treatment
facilities, is being maintained, and sex education generally has been included in the health
education activities at schools either as specific instruction or combined with related
subjects.
Family Planning: In addition to continuous publicity a special campaign was arranged in
May and original posters and leaflets were designed for this purpose.
Dental Health: During September, a two-week programme was organised in collaboration
with the General Dental Council and the Fruit Producers' Association for Pierre the
Clown to visit infant and junior schools. Short talks and demonstrations were given and
each of the 11,000 children received an apple, an 'Apple Club' badge and painting card
relating to the care of their teeth. The tour was followed later by the provision of
supplies of apples to schools at wholesale prices for resale to children.
0ver-60 Clinics: Three new preventive and advisory clinics for the "over-sixties" are now
operating to provide health checks and advice for elderly people. These were supported by
publicity which included specially designed posters and leaflets.
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