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consider available information with regard to the incidence,
causation, prevention and treatment of cancer, and to advise as
to the best method of utilising the resources of the Ministry for the
study and investigation of these problems.' The British Empire
Cancer Campaign also has for its object the collection of facts
regarding the disease and the institution of research if deemed
advisable. Internationally the Medical Committee of the League of
Nations is also engaged in accumulating information regarding
the incidence of the disease in various countries with a view to
elucidating its cause.
"We possess no definite knowledge of the actual cause of
cancer, although many views have been put forward. One fact,
however, is very evident; that cancer occurs at sites exposed to
irritation of a mechanical or chemical nature. For example, on
the one hand cancer may arise on the tongue at the point where it
is exposed to prolonged irritation by a decayed tooth or on the lip
as a result of chronic irritation from smoking a clay pipe; and on
the other hand exposure of workers to irritation from coal tar,
paraffin, soot or arsenic may result in cancerous lesions. Whether
the disease is the direct result of the irritation of the body cells or
not cannot be determined, but perhaps the irritation is but a
predisposing cause lowering the vitality of the cells and rendering
them liable to the disease.
Prevalence of Cancer.
"In England and Wales with a population in 1921 of 37,885,242
persons, a total of 46,032 deaths were attributed to cancer. This
means that out of each thousand persons 1.21 died of cancer. In
the same year the cancer death-rate for Ealing was 1.24, being
practically the same as that for England and Wales. The deathrate
from cancer per thousand of population in England and Wales
has gradually increased from 0.32 in 1851-60 to 1.12 in 1911-20.
This increase cannot wholly be put down to an increase in the
incidence of the disease for it may be due in some measure to
improved diagnosis and to the survival of a greater number of
persons at the later ages at which cancer commonly occurs. But
the fact remains that there has been an increase.