Hackney has highest male lung and bladder cancer death rates in London
Smog over East London: a detail from a view over the city. Photograph: monkeywing/flickr
Death rates from lung and bladder cancer among men are higher in Hackney than in any other part of London.
Figures obtained by campaign group Clean Air in London show the borough was the second worst affected for female deaths caused by coronary heart disease.
Smoking and pollution are possible causes of the alarmingly high disease rates.
Hackney Council has identified smoking as “one of the biggest killers” in Hackney.
The Green Party says the borough’s roads are the dirtiest in London.
‘Shout out’
Maria Arnold of London Fields-based charity the Healthy Air Campaign said the figures highlighted the “invisible public health crisis” of air pollution.
She added: “Not only does it seriously damage our respiratory health but is also a cause of heart disease, strokes, lung cancer and even low birthweight in babies.
“Because it can’t be seen governments try to ignore it, but there is plenty that can be done.
“Hackney residents need to shout out and demand their right to breathe clean air.”
In 2012 cancer of the trachea, bronchus and lung caused more than seven deaths in every 10,000 Hackney residents – far more than in the second worst affected borough, Islington.
Five in every 10,000 women in Hackney died of coronary heart diseases in 2012 – meaning the borough came close to overtaking Tower Hamlets as the worst affected in London.
Though these figures sound low they represent worryingly high death rates and compare unfavourably with the situation elsewhere in the capital.
Dirty habit
Cancer Research UK said there is a strong link between lung cancer and cigarettes.
Nine out of 10 cases of the disease are linked to cigarettes.
A Cancer Research UK spokesperson said: “Smoking cigarettes definitely increases the risk of bladder cancer. Your risk if you currently smoke is up to four times that of someone who has never smoked.”
The NHS defines smoking as one of the five main causes of coronary heart disease.
A quarter of over-18s in Hackney smoke and 28 per cent of 18-19 year olds are smokers – figures that have alarmed Hackney Council health chiefs.
Councillor Jonathan McShane, Cabinet member for Health, Social Care and Culture, said: “These statistics are a stark reminder of the danger of smoking to our health.
“Helping people to quit and preventing them from starting smoking are among our top priorities to improve the health of people in Hackney.
“Free help and advice is available at drop in services across the borough.”
Hackney Council holds more than £10.5million of investments in tobacco stocks – a fact that has led some to accuse the Town Hall of sending mixed messages.
Big smoke
Pollution is another politically charged issue.
Green Party research suggests 70 per cent of roads in Hackney will exceed legal limits for harmful nitrogen dioxide air pollution within 10 years.
Last year the World Health Organisation announced it was classifying air pollution as carcinogenic to humans, indicating it is directly linked to incidences of cancer, particularly bladder cancer.
Cllr McShane added: “Air quality is a London-wide issue and we are working with the Greater London Authority, Transport for London and other boroughs to make improvements across the capital.
“We are currently reviewing our Air Quality Action Plan and will be consulting with residents on the new plan in early 2014.”
Last summer an initiative was launched to support Shoreditch businesses in reducing energy consumption by trialling zero or low emission vehicles and offering free advice from Zero Emissions Network consultants.
Cllr Feryal Demirci, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, then said: “It is vital that through initiatives like ZEN Shoreditch we are able to tackle air pollution which causes health difficulties for thousands of people throughout the UK.
“I hope that many more forward-thinking businesses will take advantage of the support and advice on offer which will not only help to improve air quality but also to reduce company overheads.”
Hackney Council is looking to reduce traffic, and the borough has the highest number of people cycling to work in London.
Local help and advice is available from 0800 169 1943, smokers-clinic@qmul.ac.uk or smokefreecityandhackney.nhs.uk
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