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
Barking 1972
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]
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Table 1.
| Age | Social Class | Para | Cytology Report | Treatment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 39 | 3 | 1 | Numerous greatly atypical cells highly suggestive of malignancy. | Cone biopsy - Hysterectomy |
| 2. | 47 | 3 | 1 | An infected smear showing several atypical cells ? ca in situ. | Cone biopsy - Hysterectomy |
| 3. | 59 | 3 | 4 | Numerous atypical, mainly poorly differentiated cells present, diagnostic of squamous cell ca. Clinically suspect and referred to Gynaecologist. | Cone biopsy - Irradiation |
| 4. | 46 | 3 | 3 | Heavily infected smear with numerous atypical cells highly suggestive of an epidermoid ca. | Cone biopsy - Hysterectomy |
One of the four positive smears was clincally suspect of carcinoma and was immediately
referred to the Gynaecologist without actually waiting for the Cytology result. She had a history
of bleeding for six weeks previous but did not go to see her G.P. Another of the positive smears
had a previous smear two years ago when a few atypical cells were seen. These she was told were
due to infection. The smear in 1972 again showed heavy infection but also numerous atypical
cells due to epidermoid carcinoma.
Table 2 shows the four suspect smears, three had negative reports on further smears and one
is still under observation and follow-up.
Table 2.
| Age | Social Class | Para | Cytology Report and follow-up | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5. | 28 | 3 | 3 | 2.3. mild displasia rep. 2/12 6.6. severe displasia ? ca in situa rep. 1/12. 28.7. non specific infection - negative. |
| 6. | 41 | 3 | 1 | mild displasia rep. 3/12 after 3/12 - negative |
| 7. | 27 | 3 | 0 | mild displasia rep. 1/12 Trichomonas vag. but no malignancy. |
| 8. | 40 | 3 | 2 | mild displasia rep. 3/12 |
1,551 seems to be a good response but we cannot be complacent. We are still far from
reaching the most threatened group of women of social class IV and V which are notoriously the
most elusive in all parts of the world. We have to increase our efforts in trying to contact them
and use all possible means of education to increase screening in as wide a circle as possible.
37.