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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
Coulsdon and Purley 1936
[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 70 deaths which occurred during 1936:—
| Under 30 | 30-40 | 40-50 | 50-60 | 60-70 | 70-80 | Over 80 | Total. | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | |
| Cheek | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — |
| Mouth | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Tongue | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 |
| Oesophagus | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | |
| Stomach | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | 7 | 2 |
| Large Intestine | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Gall Bladder | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 |
| Liver | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 |
| Pancreas | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 |
| Lungs | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 4 | — |
| Uterus | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 5 |
| Ovary | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | 3 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 6 |
| Breast | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | — | 3 | — | 3 | — | 1 | — | 11 |
| Prostate | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | — | 2 | — | 1 | — | 6 | — |
| Bladder | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 |
| Bone | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Totals | 1 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 32 | 38 |
The usual features will again be noted, viz.—the increasing frequency
with advancing age, and the high proportion in which the stomach,
intestines or breast are affected.
Two small steps have been taken locally during the year towards
reducing the cancer mortality. The Department has co-operated with
the Surrey County Health Department in an investigation into the
course of the disease in the fatal cases which have occurred, with a view
to seeing what treatment has been secured, etc. On the other hand,
the Medical Officer of Health has undertaken the duties of local Medical
Secretary to the British Empire Cancer Campaign through which
qualified speakers can be secured for suitable local meetings at which
the subject of cancer is to be considered. It is hoped that more use
will be made of this and similar facilities by local Societies, etc., in the
future.
While much further effort is required, and is being given along
the line of research into the cause, prevention and treatment of cancer,
it should be more generally recognised that at the present time cancer
can very frequently be cured, if only recognised early enough, and the
best available treatment secured. The responsibility for obtaining
early examination rests with the individual resident.
The symptoms which call for most attention are persistent and
repeated pain, bleeding, swelling, early morning diarrhoea, increasing
constipation, and difficulty in passing water.
11