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(percentage 21) in the age group 65 to 74 ; then to a much lower
figure, 27 out of 306 (percentage of 9) in those over 75.
The picture of the distribution of the deaths of females is rather
different. In the first place, cancer caused 13 of the 33 deaths of those
between the ages of 35 and 44 (a percentage of 39). In the next group
45 to 54, out of 95 deaths, 35 were due to cancer (a percentage of 37).
Of those aged 55 to 64, 47 out of the 134 deaths were the result of cancer
(percentage 35). Then there was a fall to a percentage of 18, as only
47 of the 248 deaths in the group 65 to 74 were due to it, and a further
fall in those over 75 in whom malignant disease accounted for only 50
out of the 460 deaths (a percentage of 11).
In this district in this last year, then, the percentage of deaths in
males due to cancer was highest in the age group 55 to 64, there being a
fall in the later age groups. In females, the proportion was highest in
the age group 35 to 44, almost as high in the next two groups 45 to 54,
and 55 to 64, and it then fell as in the case of males.
The question of what might be done to reduce the fatalities from
cancer has been much discussed. On the one hand there is the problem
of ensuring that patients suffering from the complaint receive treatment
early, sufficiently early for the treatment to be effective. Two factors are
important. One is the education of the public as to the signs and symptoms
which may be indicative of this complaint in the early stages. The
other is the allaying of the fear that so many have about the inevitability of
a fatal issue and of the hopelessness of anything being done. On the
other hand, it is desirable that whatever is done should not result in the
creation of a general feeling of apprehension amongst the population.
It is this second factor which makes it so important that care should be
taken about the approach to the public on this subject.
When consideration is being given to the question of what might
be done there are many factors to be taken into account. When malignant
disease attacks some sites, there may be no early typical signs or
symptoms, nothing being noticed sufficiently early to lead to the recognition
of the disease in a curable state of development. Then, too, so
little can be done when certain organs are attacked. In any approach to
the public, it is probably best if emphasis were laid on the disease in
those organs which give rise to typical signs or symptoms and in those
in which treatment at an early stage offers real hope of recovery. Possibly
the organs which most adequately fulfil both these requirements are the
breast and the uterus. Last year, 52 women in this district died from
cancer of the breast ; 8 of these were under 45 years of age. In many
of them, it is certain that some abnormality of the breast was recognised
long enough before they consulted their doctors. Many fear to go to
their doctors just because they fear the diagnosis. The numbers of these
could be reduced if they could be reassured by learning of the success
of surgery when treatment is carried out in the early stages.
Cancer of the lung, either of the lung itself or of the bronchus again
accounted for many deaths, 81 in all (69 male and 12 female). While
deaths from cancer of most sites are no longer increasing, the incidence
of cancer of the lung mounts steadily. As yet, it is not known what
factor is responsible for this.