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This is not by any means the highest figure reached in any other Borough. In
Fulham, for example, in 1911, it was 1.26; in Bermondsey, in 1910, it was 1'25, and
in St. Pancras, in 1908, 1.24.
In all the Boroughs, practically without exception, the rate in 1911 was higher
than in 1901, and whereas in the latter year the Boroughs which had rates of
over 1 per 1,000 were the exceptions, in 1911 such rates were the rule.
Why there should have been this increase, why Marylebone should appear with
the second highest rate and show so many deaths from cancer, it is impossible at
present to explain.
Despite the vast amount of work which has been, and is being done, apart from
the fact that a growth sometimes appears when some part of the coverings of the
body, internal or external, are subjected to irritation of some sort for a long time,
practically nothing is known as to the causation of the disease.
From time to time suggestions have been put forward that it is associated with
housing, and some houses have been called "cancer houses" as a result, and the
disease has been declared to be infectious; sometimes certain districts have been
called "cancer districts" and their smokiness, or the manner in which the streets
have been arranged, have been blamed.
That there is any real definite evidence in favour of these contentions is something
more than doubtful.
The increase in the number of deaths from cancer, which has been so steadily
taking place throughout London and indeed the country generally, for some years has
been alleged by a number of observers to be more apparent than real. They state
that medical science has advanced, that the medical man of to-day makes amore
correct diagnosis than his predecessor, partly because he has better opportunities
and better means at his disposal.
Some of the increase is almost certainly accounted for in this way. But there
are other reasons, and as to what they are we are still ignorant.
From statistics, especially statistics of one district, really very little can be
learned. In this report, however, in addition to the figures and tables relating to
cancer given in previous years others are included.
Ages at Death.—The table giving this information also shows the number of
deaths amongst males and amongst females at the various ages. That with one
exception the deaths all occurred in the early and late adult age groups will be noted.
Childhood, youth and early adult life are, as a matter of fact, usually comparatively
rarely involved. Though the disease may have originated earlier it is usually about
the age of 40 that cancer as a cause of death comes most into evidence.
The fact that in 1912 the number of deaths of males was considerably less than
that of females, though interesting, is of little consequence.
In 1911 the opposite was the case and usually they run very close to one another.