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
Shoreditch 1934
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch]
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23
Cancer.
The deaths from cancer in the Borough during the year numbered 134 as
compared with 135 in 1933. Particulars concerning these deaths as regards age,
situation of disease and Ward arc given in the table on page 24.
The deaths from cancer during the last five years per million persons living are given in the following comparative table:—
| England and Wales. | London. | Shoreditch. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 | 1,454 | 1,553 | 1,346 |
| 1931 | 1,484 | 1,641 | 1,242 |
| 1932 | 1,510 | 1,553 | 1,545 |
| 1933 | 1,526 | 1,604 | 1,443 |
| 1934 | 1,563 | 1,720 | 1,479 |
Although there was no marked change of incidence, it is satisfactory to note
that there has been no alarming increase in cancer deaths. The rate for 1934 is
identical with that for 1929. In the table on page 24 it is seen that the alimentary
tract was the most frequently affected site, and that the stomach was the organ which
was most liable to show the disease. A somewhat disquieting feature is the fact
that 14 of the 134 deaths were due to malignant disease of the lung or pleura. The
high incidence of this condition in males is generally recognised.