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
Haringey 1972
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Haringey]
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1970—Appointments were only sent by post to those who attended in 1968 but failed to attend in
1969 plus some others who asked to join for the first time.
837 patients thus had appointments
663 attended
Giving the appointments a year ahead was not found satisfactory and so all were sent by
post again in 1971.
968 appointments were sent out
705 patients attended
1972—843 appointments were sent out
610 patients attended
Patients were withdrawn from the scheme for many reasons—moving away, letters returned marked 'House
demolished', a few died (not of breast cancer that we know of). Those who did not attend in 1968 or 1969 were
not reappointed.
Table I —Attendances
| 1958 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 starters | 814 | 637 | 562 | 589 | 487 |
| 1969 starters | — | 93 | 65 | 61 | 56 |
| 1970 starters | — | — | 36 | 23 | 17 |
| 1971 starters | — | — | — | 32 | |
| 1972 starters | — | — | — | — | 24 |
| TOTAL | 814 | 730 | 663 | 705 | 610 |
Patients did not miss a year, then drop out of the scheme for good. Many missed a year then returned. Some
came back after two years' absence.
Table II — Ages of Women Examined
| Of the 814 women examined in 1968 — | ||
| Born 1939—34 | Age 30—34 | 14 |
| 1933—29 | 35—39 | 167 |
| 1928—24 | 40—44 | 199 |
| 1923—19 | 45—49 | 193 |
| 1918—14 | 50—54 | 109 |
| 1913—09 | 55—59 | 89 |
| 1908—04 | 60—64 | 31 |
| 1903 or earlier | 65 or over | 8 |
| Not known | 14 |
Patients referred for Further Investigation
When a lump in the breast was found the patient was referred to Mr. Abel, the Consultant Surgeon. If he was
present in the clinic he gave an opinion then and there; if not, the patient was given an appointment to see
him at his normal outpatient session within the next few days.
Table III
| Lump not confirmed | Cyst aspirated | Biopsy | Total Referred | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-mal. | Malignant | |||||
| 1968 | 16 | 5 | 14 | 0 | 35 | 814 |
| 1969 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 15 | 730 |
| 1970 | 14 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 25 | 663 |
| 1971 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 705 | |
| 1972 | 4 | 10 | 4 | 610 | ||