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38
A further 2,285 smears were taken from patients attending the
Family Planning Clinics.
In addition, in October 1972, the Health Department in co-operation
with the Harrow Council of Social Service ran a very successful cancer
control campaign. It was hoped that through this campaign more of the
women in the lower income groups would be reached than it had been
possible to do at our usual clinics. It was also decided to run evening
clinics—again to provide a service for working women.
A mobile clinic on free loan from the Women's National Cancer
Control Campaign was used. The campaign ran for four weeks and three
sessions a day were held, morning, afternoon and evening. The unit
visited 11 different sites, within Council estates or in adjacent shopping
areas. One small isolated area in the Borough was visited, where there was
no easy transport to the central clinic. Also one day was given to Messrs.
Kodak.
Much of the clerical work during the sessions was carried out by
voluntary workers from the Harrow Council of Social Service, they also
provided the nursing coverage. Doctors from the Family Planning
Association and some of the departmental medical officers worked in the
unit.
1,527 Women attended
4 Positive smears were taken and the women referred to
hospital
164 Patients were referred to the G.P.s
95 Patients referred were treated by the G.P. or referred to
hospital
Conditions For Which Patients Were Referred To Their G.P.
Hypertension 33
Lumps in the breast 27
Abdominal and Pelvic Masses 14
Disorders of the Cervix 42
Other conditions 48
The demand was tremendous and could not be fully met. An average
of 26 patients were seen per session although it had been decided at the
briefing sessions that 15 would be a sufficient number to allow the examination
of breasts, abdomen, pelvis and urine test and blood pressure in
addition to the smear test. Due to the large numbers seen it was not
always possible to test the urine and take blood pressures.
Approximately 16% of the women seen came from social classes 4
and 5. The majority of the women seen were in the 35-60 year age group,
the youngest was 20 years and the eldest was 90 years.
The final costing was £774. Nearly £230 was raised by the Harrow
Council of Social Services.