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
Croydon 1939
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]
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CANCER.
Deaths from Cancer numbered 414 as compared with 380 in 1938; 421 in 1937;
421 in 1936; 321 in 1935; 371 in 1934; 374 in 1933; 341 in 1932; 342 in 1931;
339 in 1930; 330 in 1929; and 327 in 1928.
Death-rate per 1,000 of the population for the previous 11 years are as
follows:- 1928 - 1.54 (327) 1934 - 1.54 (371)
1929 - 1.48 (330) 1935 - 1.33 (321)
1930 - 1.52 (339) 1936 - 1.75 (421)
1931 - 1.46 (342) 1937 - 1.74 (421)
1932 - 1.44 (341) 1938 - 1.56 ( 380)
1933 - 1.56 (374) 1939 - 1.78 (414)
Table I.
Deaths from Cancer occurred at the following ages:-
| Age period | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 25 years | 3 | - | 3 |
| 25 and under 35 years | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| 35 and under 45 years | 7 | 12 | 19 |
| 45 and under 65 years | 64 | 99 | 163 |
| 65 years and over | 102 | 122 | 224 |
| 178 | 236 | 414 |
Table II.
Sites of fatal Cancer.
| Site | Male | Female | Total | Percentage of Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin | 5 | 2 | 7 | 1.691 |
| Tongue and Mouth | 4 | 2 | 6 | 1.449 |
| Tonsil | 1 | 3 | 0.725 | |
| Oesophagus | 4 | 5 | 9 | 2.174 |
| Stomach | 42 | 28 | 70 | 16.908 |
| Liver | 4 | 10 | 14 | 3.382 |
| Bowel | 16 | 41 | 57 | 13.768 |
| Rectum | 16 | 17 | 33 | 7.971 |
| Bladder | 5 | 3 | 8 | 1.932 |
| Prostate | 11 | 11 | 2.657 | |
| Larynx | 7 | 2 | 9 | 2.174 |
| Uterus | 28 | 28 | 6.763 | |
| Breast | 45 | 45 | 10.869 | |
| Ovary | 10 | 10 | 2.415 | |
| Pancreas | 10 | 8 | 18 | 4.348 |
| Gall Bladder and Duct | 3 | 3 | 6 | 1.449 |
| Bones | 4 | 2 | 6 | 1.449 |
| Lungs | 32 | 12 | 44 | 10.628 |
| Kidneys | 2 | 4 | 6 | 1.449 |
| Antrum | 2 | 2 | 0.483 | |
| Lymphatic Glands | 2 | 2 | 0.483 | |
| Pharynx | 1 | 1 | 0.242 | |
| Genital Organs | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0.966 |
| Thyroid | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0.725 |
| Spine | 2 | 2 | 0.483 | |
| Parotid Gland | 1 | 1 | 0.242 | |
| Brain | 1 | 1 | 0.242 | |
| Muscle | 1 | 1 | 0.242 | |
| Abdomen | 1 | 1 | 0.242 | |
| Blood vessels | 2 | 2 | 0.483 | |
| Indefinite | 1 | 1 | 0.242 | |
| Mediastinum | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0.725 |
| 178 | 236 | 414 |
Comments on Foregoing Table.
The organs most often attacked in descending order of incidence are,
in males the Stomach (23.6); the Lungs (18.0); the Rectum and Bowels (18.0);
in females, the Bowels and Rectum (24.6); the Breast (19.0); the Stomach
(11.9) and the Uterus (11.9). (Figures quoted are percentages)
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