Document nN3J1kyq86pX252VQ3w2vMEnR
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for iiudy because (be findings were unusual for uncomplicated pneumo
coniosis. Presumably, all cases, including those of asbestosis, in
which the findings were not considered unusual were never brought to
Or. Gioyne's attention. As a matter of fact, in the same paragraph
1
in which he expresses concern over the incidence rate in asbestosis.
Or. Gloyne himself points out that the rate for lung cancer based on
necropsies at the London Chest Hospital was 21.3% while the figures of the Registrar-General showed only 2.l7>. He thus recognised that
autopsies on a certain selected group of cases were not representative
of the general population. It would seem, then, that notwithstanding the value oi Dr. Gioyne's work, its importance as an index of the pre
valence of lung cancer in asbestotics has been misinterpreted by those who have quoted him. All that it really shows is the fact that in a group
of 121 cases, selected for special study primarily because they seemed
abnormal by preliminary examination. 17, or. 14.1% had lung cancer.
Nlereweiher
In 1947, in the report of the Chief In
spector of Factories, reviewed all cases reported between 1924 and
1946 in which as'oestosis was the cause of death or a coexisting con
dition. This work was later extended to include all such cases reported
up to December, 1954, by which time there were 144 deaths including
209 males and 129 females. Among them were 55 cases (16%) of cancer -
of the lung, 41 in males and 14 in females. It is quite possible that a large number of asbestotics who did not die of their asbestosis, or in