CANCER RISK

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 80, 2 October 1933, Page 7

CANCER RISK

OCCUPATIONAL RATE

A DOCTOR'S ANALYSIS

The Cancer Research Fellowship of the Melbourne- University, in summarising some of tho-known facts about cancer, shows that clergymen. are- very free from the disease, while hotel employees suffer from it more than any other class. A large portion of the current issue of the Medical Journal of Australia is devoted to cancer, and a very interesting article is contributed by "Dr. Cherry, the Cancer Research Follow of the University of Melbourne. Dr. Cherry has had a theory for some years past that there is a distinct relationship betweon- cancer and tuberculosis, and ho points out that in England, nearly one-fourth of all adults die either of cancer or tuberculosis, and that, as the rate of tuberculosis deaths goes down, the rate of cancer deaths goes up, the combined deaths never quite reaching 23 per cent. Dr. Cherry says that the increase in cancer deaths is a Teal ono and is not duo to better diagnosis and a longer life. He points out that the highest incidence of cancer and tuberculosis is firnong hotel employees (barmen, waiters, cellarmen, and hostlers). This ■group has long been recognised as prone to tuberculosis because, he states, alcohol in excess always paves the way for that disease. A comparatively small proportion of these men reach tho cancer, age, yet they show a.high" cancer rate. , It is noted that chimney sweeps and musicians have- a high incidence of cancer, while printers, hah--<lressers, tobacconists, and costormongors still exhibit a high tuberculosis rate. "The analysis .of the Census units," lie writes, "showed that tho actual number'; of persons dying of each disease interlock in such a way that cancer occurring later in life seems to be almost strictly* limited to the leavings of ]>hthsiß T. 8." ■ Dr. Cherry reaffirms that native_ races, out of contact with civilisation, invariably have little resistance to tuberculosis, practically every case of infection proving fatal very rapidly. Evidence which has been accumulated since the war from all parts of tho world goes to show that tuberculosis is diminishing in most of the progressive, countries, but that, with its reduction, there is a great increase in cancer, an increase to which, at present, there is no limit in sight. Clergymen aro reputed to bo the healthiest people in tho civilised world, so it is not surprising to find that they show less cancer -and less tuberculosis than any other occupation. Almost as healthy are farmers and farm, workmen, who show less cancer than any other occupational class except clergymen. Grocers also show email cancer rate, as do general storekeepers and carpenters. High on the list are brass workers and wharf labourers.

The committee supporting the Aquatic Princess (Miss Nnncy Olphert) will hold f> c:aUc day at the Old Colonial Ball shop, CBSa Lamblon Quay, on Wednesday next.