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4
CANCER.
In Willesden in 1934 there were 281 deaths from Cancer, as compared with 260, 250, 250, 214,
239, 240 in each of the previous six years. The tendency to increase, therefore, unfortunately
continues.
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 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.
Propaganda in the form of posters, leaflets, advertisements, articles in the press and talks
have been continued, but there is still a great disproportion in the number of deaths as recorded above
and the number of persons attending the clinics. There has, however, been an increase in the number
of new cases who attended.
During 1934, 57 patients attended these Clinics, of whom 41 were new cases (17 men and 24
women) and 9 had attended during 1933 and were still under observation at the end of that year.
The total attendances made in 1934 was 75. Of the 41 new cases 3 were found to live out of the district
and were dismissed after being suitably directed as to the means of securing proper investigation and
treatment.
The remaining 38 cases after examination were disposed of as follows:—
20 were referred to a hospital for further investigation;
3 were referred back to their own doctors;
4 were kept under observation and asked to re-attend (2 of these were finally discharged
before the end of the year);
3 were referred to special clinics (2 of these were reassured and discharged, and 1 is
still under observation);
7 were reassurred and discharged on their first visit;
1 is under observation, pending reference to hospital.
Of the 20 who were referred to hospital:—
10 were found to require operation (7 have been operated upon; 1 has refused operation;
1 is awaiting operation; and 1 had left the district before operation was
performed);
4 have received or are receiving treatment at hospitals as out-patients, or are being
kept under observation there;
2 were advised to attend their own doctor for medical treatment;
1 was found to be pregnant and referred back to the Ante-Natal Clinic.
3 were re-assured and discharged.
The pathological conditions from which 39 of the new cases suffered are briefly as follows
5 cases had abnormal breast conditions;
3 had chronic inflammation;
2 had cysts;
5 cases suffered from affections of the female genital organs, all these had conditions
often found to be pre-cancerous;
9 cases had conditions affecting the digestive tract which occasionally lead to cancer;
6 cases had similar conditions of the mouth and throat;
5 cases had innocent tumours of the body wall or skin;
9 cases had conditions unconnected with cancer, but which were causing anxiety or
required treatment;
Of the remaining 2 new cases, one was found to be pregnant and the other was a man of 54 who
came for an overhaul as he considered it desirable for a person of his age.
The nurse attached to the Clinic pays following-up visits to the homes of patients attending.
During last year 53 such visits were made. The nurse also visits homes where disinfection has been
requested, generally after a death from cancer has taken place or after a patient has been moved