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Two Cancer Clinics are held ; one at Health Centre 1 on the first and third Thursdays of the
month, from 7 to 8 p.m., and the other at Health Centre 2, on the second and fourth Thursdays of
the month at the same hour. No treatment is attempted, the object being to get early contact,
to secure expert diagnosis and treatment if necessary, or to give reassurance as the case may be.
Treatment or further diagnosis is obtained at certain of the larger London Hospitals with which the
Council has made satisfactory working arrangements.
If a patient is under a private doctor who can be located, the latter is communicated with,
and the result of any examination or advice as to treatment is made known to him as soon as
possible.
There has been a slight falling off in the attendances at the Clinics held, but it is noticeable
that the attendance invariably improves after any special effort at propaganda in the form of posters,
leaflets, advertisements, articles in the local press or talks given at the Schools for Mothers. Further,
it may well be that as a result of the efforts in this direction more patients are attending their private
doctors for doubtful conditions, and are getting advice and treatment from them. But it appears
that the education of the public in health, to be really effective, must be both penetrating and
continuous.
During 1932, 59 patients attended these Clinics, of whom 44 were new cases (14 men and 30
women) and 15 had attended during 1931 and were still under observation at the end of that year.
The number of new cases during each of the last three years has been : in 1930 71, in 1931 80, and in
1932 44. The total of attendances made in 1932 was 99, making an average of about two per session.
Of the 44 new cases 7 were found to live out of the district and were dismissed after being suitably
directed.
The remaining 37 cases after examination were disposed of as follows:—
21 were referred to a hospital for further investigation;
8 were referred back to their own doctor; or to a hospital which they had been
attending;
6 were kept under observation and asked to re-attend (1 of these was finally discharged
before the end of the year;
1 was reassured and discharged on first visit;
1 was referred to a dentist.
Of the 21 who were referred to hospital:—
6 were found to require operation (5 have been operated upon; 1 has refused
operation);
5 were reassured and dismissed after their first visit;
4 have received or are receiving treatment at hospital as out-patients, or are being
kept under observation there;
6 have not attended hospital after appointments had been made, or have not completed
the investigation.
The pathological conditions from which the 44 new cases suffered are briefly as follows :—
5 cases suffered from affections of the female genital organs;
4 had conditions often found to be pre-cancerous;
1 was found to be pregnant;
6 cases had abnormal breast conditions;
5 (including 1 man) had chronic inflammation;
1 was an old case of treated cancer, now suffering from bronchitis ;
8 cases had conditions affecting the alimentary tract which occasionally lead to cancer;
10 cases had innocent tumours of the body wall or skin;
15 cases had conditions unconnected with cancer, but which were causing anxiety or
requiring treatment.
The Nurse attached to the Clinic, where these are welcomed, pays following-up visits to the
homes of patients attending. During last year 102 such visits were made. The Nurse also visits
homes in which a death from cancer has taken place, and where disinfection has been requested.
Information obtained in this way is recorded, but so far has not brought any important facts to light.
There is still a large amount of reticence shown by a sufferer from cancer, and also by the relatives
of a deceased case. Part of this is undoubtedly due to a widespread dread of the disease, but part is
due to the belief, still existent in the minds of many, that cancer is connected with dirt, or overcrowding,
or irregularities of living, or in some other way which makes it advisable from self-respect
for it to be concealed.