CAUSES OF CANCER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4961, 12 April 1926, Page 4

CAUSES OF CANCER.

TOBACCO, ALCOHOL, AND HOT TEA

MEDICAL RESEARCH REPORT.

Some evidence that smoking and drinking alcoholic liquor may be predisposing causes of cancer in certain sites in the body is| given in a report published by .the Medicalj Research Council —“An Investigation into the Statistics of Cancer in Different Trades and Profeps.ions” (states the “Daily Mail’’). The inquiry was carried out by Dr. Matthew Young and Mr W. T. Russell, working in collaboration with Dr. John Brownlee (director of statistics of the Medical Research Council) and E. L. Collis. They examined the records’of more than 4'6,000 1, cases of death from cancer in 160' different occupations, and claim that this is “a survey of the relation of cancer to occupation with a detail beyond any hitherto attempted.” ■ The group of open-air workers, including agricultural labourers, seamen in the merchant service, dock Labourers, and railwaymen,AVas found well in front in excess of cancer of the lip. Among these, cancer of the lip is 200 to 300 per cent, in excess of what might be expected. ■ In the next degree, having about 60 to 100 per cent, in excess of the normal amount o.f lip -cancer, masons, labourers in general, farmers, and graziers. ■ These open-air workers have in common' unrestricted opportunities tor indulging in smoking, and the probability exists that 12 or 14 years ago cheap clay pipes were favoured. Coalminers working below ground where smoking is prohibited contrast with colliery workers above ground in not suffering any excess of lip cancer.

It is pointed.out that the mortality from cancer of the lip is. 13 times and of the tongue 11 times more among men than among women. Alcohol appears as,- a predisposing caupe of cancer of t'he tongue and the aesophagus (gullet)., Among the groups ,in which cancer o‘f this part is, in excess o'f the average are brewers, porters, dock and wharf labourers, costermongers,.. hawkers', and butchers, “who are supposed .to consume an excessive 'amount of alcohol.” But excess of cancer of the' tongue is also found among. slaters; tilers, cutlers, printers,, and plumbers ; and it is said .thsit the habit of drinking very jiiat tea,, boiled' over a fire for the midday meak may furnish’an explanation. . • ,

Among, men who have an excessive iqnount c?f cancer of the ■ gullet are those engaged yin the liquor - trade ; brewers, publicans,, inn and hotel keepers, beer bottlers, and cellarmen, ais well as commercial .travellers, coachman, and Cabmen, horsekeepers, and grooms, and others who are supposed to consjume an excessive amount of alcohol. There would appear to be very suggestive, if not. practically conclusive, that excessive consumption.’ of’alcohol .pre-disposes-to cancer of the aesophagus’.