Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Coulsdon]
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The following Table gives the age, Sex and distribution of the disease in the 62 deaths which occurred during 1935.
30-40 | 40-50 | 50-60 | 60-70 | 70-80 | 80& over | Total. | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | M | F. | M. | F. | |||
Eye | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | 1 |
Larynx | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | 1 | - |
Thyroid | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 |
Oesophagus | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 |
Lymphatic Glands | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | - |
Small Intestines | - | 1 | - | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 13 |
Liver | - | - | - | - | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Pancreas | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - |
Lungs | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | - |
Uterus | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 |
Ovary | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 |
Breast | - | - | - | 2 | - | 2 | - | 3 | - | 2 | - | - | - | 9 |
Vulva | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 |
Prostate | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | 2 | - | - | - | 3 | - |
Bladder | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | 1 | - | 1 | - | 1 | - | 4 | - |
Kidneys | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | 1 | 1 |
Testicles | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - |
Bone | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - |
Totals | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 32 | 30 |
The usual features are present, viz., the increasing frequency with
advancing age, and high proportion in which the stomach and intestines
or breast is affected.
The fact that Cancer is curable if recognised early enough and
efficiently treated must be again stressed. Abnormal or persistent
symptoms, especially in persons of middle and old age, should receive
early medical attention.
Apart from the danger of delay, much ill-health frequently results
from the mental agony caused by postponing examination. The reassurance
of a negative finding is almost as important as an early positive
result.
The symptoms which call for most attention are persistent or
repeated pain, haemorrhage, swelling, early morning diarrhœa, increasing
constipation and difficulty in micturition.
In view of the number of deaths from breast Cancer, perhaps it
would be as well to emphasize the need for investigation of any lump
in the breasts of females, especially over 30 years of age, which does
not subside in a very short time.
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