Milford chronicle., 1939-01-20
YOUR HEALTH!
Cancer Death Rate Rises As
Tuberculosis Rate Declines
Weekly Column Prepared by
The State Board of Health

OeIaWdfea1S IVeQ boz years Ion
ger in 1887 than in 1927, according
to recently completed statistics OF
the State Board of Health. This is
due, in all probability, to improved
sanitary conditions, to better treat
ment of diseases, to more widespread
knowledge of proper health proceed
ures and to the administration of
protective treatments.
But 1t has resulted in rising death
rates for the degenerative diseases,
as cancer. diabetes, Bright's disease
and diseases of the heart. Now, more
people are living until their body
machine wears out, instead of sue
cumbing to some contagious dis
ease.
Cancer Death Rate Increasing
Delaware deaths from cancer have
increased 279o since 1880. This Is
partially due to better diagnosis and
reporting, partially to the increase
of the average life span in this
State. But whatever the cause, the
State Board of Health considers il
one of the diseases most deserving
of increased attention. In this re-
spect, the State Board of Health re-
Gently announced its cooperation
with. the National Cancer Institute
in a plan of the latter organization
to arrange loans of radium to quail
ified hospitals.
One of the characteristics peculiar
to cancer is that ii may frequently
be cured If properly treated in an
early stage of the disease, but that
1t is almost incurable in the later
stages. Successful treatment de-
pends upon early diagnosis, which in
turn depends both on the family
physician and on an enlightened and
informed lay public.
Cancer and Tuberculosis Show
Parallels
A parallel between tuberculosis
and cancer has been drawn by ply
sicians, inasmuch as each requires
lay cooperation and certain mini
mum of lay knowledge; further, i'm
the fight against tuberculosis, It was
first necessary to overcome a COM
mon fear, which frequently retarded
application for treatment; similarly,
in each instance; the cure of each
disease depends upon early and con-
tinued treatment; and the treatment
of each is costly. and more than
likely will necessitate the extending
of aid to the afflicted Individual.
Delaware Has A High Cancer Rate
Delaware has higher cancer
death rate than for the United States
Area as a whole. This
is considered due to the presence i'm
the State of greater proportion of
persons of ages subject to cancer
incidence, than in the Registration
Area as a whole. According to the
1880 census. 26.53o of the States
population was aged forty-five years
and over; in the United States Reg
Area, there were only
22.S% aged fOrty-ive and over!
Urges Deal Tuberculosis The
Death Blow
Deal tuberculosis the Death
Blow" was the title of an article
published in the recent Delaware
Health News by DR.. Lawrence ID.
medical director of Bran
lywine tuberculosis sanatorium. DIR.
Phillips pointed out in his article
hat one OF the most pressing health
leeds of Delaware is the provision d
# increased facilities for the hospi-
of the cOlored tuberculous.
To provide ample sanatorium faciI-
ties for the white tuberculOus, while .
eaving the need of the colored tu-
erculous but partially met, is COM
arabic to fire-prOOfing only one 4
alf of house. All portions Of the
opulatioh of Delaware. or any
ther state. must be properly pro-
ected II we are to reduce tubercu-
)sis to its ultimate minimum. The E
-hite can be infected by the colored
lst as by their own race. Working,
s many of them do. in the homes of
'hite employers. the members OF the
Dlored race may easily convey the n
erm of tuberculosis to them or 9
leir children" n
AS a result Of the new building at n
randywine Sanatorium. opened in y
anuary. 1887. there is approximate n,
enough bed space available for the Il
hite tuberculous in need Of such ri
ire.
PEOPLE ASK HOW they can n,