HISTORICAL ASPECTS
In this section we trace the earliest origins of cancer as a disease and more specifically of lung cancer, although there is not abundant material about the historical evolution of lung cancer. We also explore the history of the origins of tobacco which is much richer in content.

1896
After Willian Roentgen pioneered the X-ray use, radiation began to be used for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Mustard gas used in World War II was noted to lower white blood cell counts. This led to research in the use of other drugs and substances for cancer treatment.

HISTORY OF LUNG CANCER

1992
since 1976, steady decline in
the per capita cigarette consumption dropped 37% from 1973 to 1992

1999
“171,600 new cases of lung cancer would account for 31% of cancer deaths in men and 25% cancer deaths in women, total of 158,900 deaths.”

1900 only references to a total of 100 cases of lung cancer
1912 374 cases in the literature
1914 WW I – Smoking is rife – wait for a 15-20 year latency
1920’s Primary carcinoma of the lung – an uncommon cancer
1924 73 billion cigarettes sold in US
1929 Frederick Hoffman- no definite evidence that smoking related to lung cancer
1930 major hazard following a marked increase in smoking in the male population
1930 German researchers make statistical correlation between cancer and smoking
1930 Lung cancer is on the rise
1939-45 WW II Smoking is rife – wait for a 15-20 year latency
1941 Dr. DeBakey correlation- sale of tobacco and prevalence of lung cancer
1948 Lung cancer grows 5 times faster than other cancers since 1938
1950 Epidemiological studies provide powerful links – smoking and lung cancer
1950 Doll and Hill BMJ heavy smokers 50X increase in lung cancer.
1950 18,000 deaths in the US from lung cancer
1960′ Incidence of lung cancer peaks
1992 Incidence dropped 37% from 1973 to 1992
1997 158,000 deaths in the US from lung cancer
1999 171,600 new cases of lung cancer accounts for 31% of cancer deaths in men and 25% cancer deaths in women, total of 158,900 deaths.”
2000 smoking is responsible for 1/6 deaths in the United States.
45million Americans smoke;
about 2.4 million are teenagers
2001 +/-160,000 people died-600% increase-age-adjusted death rate vs 1930.

The relationship between cigarette smoking and lung cancer was first suspected over 60 years ago by Muller and Ochsner and DeBakey.

1900 4.4 billion cigarettes are sold
1901 anti-cigarette activity in 43/45 states except Wyoming and Louisiana
1904 New York woman jailed for 30 days for smoking in front of her children
1905 “Tobacco” struck from US Pharmacopoeia – government listing of drugs.
1909 Baseball great Honus Wagner orders American Tobacco Company to take his picture off their “Sweet Caporal” cigarette packs, fearing they would lead children to smoke. The shortage makes the Honus Wagner card the most valuable of all time, worth close to $500,000.
1911 Tobacco -growing allowed in England for the first time in more than 250 years
1921 Iowa adds its own cigarette tax (2c a pack) onto federal excise levy (6c)
1922 15 states ban sale, manufacture/possession/advertising and use of cigarettes.
1924 73 billion cigarettes sold in US
1927 Kansas is the last state to drop its ban on cigarette sales
1929 Frederick Hoffman- no definite evidence that smoking habits are a direct contributory cause toward malignant growths in the lungs.”
1930 German researchers make statistical correlation between cancer and smoking
1934 Garrison Act – outlaws marijuana & other drugs; tobacco not considered
1939-1945 WWII Roosevelt makes tobacco a protected crop.
1939-1945 WWII Cigarettes included in GI’s C-Rations.

1941 Dr. DeBakey correlation- sale of tobacco and prevalence of lung cancer
1948 Lung cancer grows 5 times faster than other cancers since

1949

1950 Epidemiological studies provide powerful links – smoking and lung cancer
1950 Doll and Hill BMJ heavy smokers 50X increase in lung cancer.
1957 Surgeon General Burney – Joint Report -PHS a first stand against smoking
1961 The presidents of the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, the National Tuberculosis Association, and the American Public Health Association submit a joint letter to President Kennedy, pointing out the increasing evidence of the health hazards of smoking and urging the President to establish a commission.
1963 FDA – General’s Report linking smoking and lung cancer
1966 Congress votes to send 600 million cigarettes to flood disaster victims in India
1966 Health warnings on cigarette packs begin
1969 Pan American Airlines creates the first nonsmoking section on its airplane
1970’s Cigarettes are the most heavily advertised product in America
1970 President Nixon signs a measure banning cigarette advertising on radio and TV
1970 Stronger mandatory cigarette label is required
1971 Cigarette manufacturers agree to put health warnings on advertisements
1973 Surgeon General Steinfeld fired after urging restrictions on secondhand smoke
1973 Civil Aeronautics Board requires all airlines to create nonsmoking sections. 1973 Arizona first state in modernity-passes law restricting smoking in public places
1975 Military stops distribution of free cigarettes in C-rations and K-rations

1977

 

1979 Minneapolis and St. Paul – first U.S. cities to ban free cigarette samples
1983 San Francisco bans smoking in private workplaces
1985 Lung cancer surpasses breast cancer as #1 killer of women
1990 surpasses breast cancer as #1 killer of women
1990 NYC Prohibits free/discounted distribution of tobacco products in public places
1990 Smoking banned all domestic flights less than 6 hours, and interstate buses.
1993 Incoming President Bill CLINTON bans smoking in the White House
1993 US POST OFFICE bans smoking in its facilities.
1994 NY State passes PRO-KIDS Law. No smoking on school grounds
1996 FDA authorised to regulate cigarettes as a “drug delivery device.”
1997 Liggett Tobacco and 22 states settle lawsuits; Liggett admits smoking is addictive, can cause cancer; agrees to turn over documents.
1997 Cigarette companies fined -money for anti-smoking ed, bans on vending machines and outdoor advertising

2015  Israel

Links and References

Hajdu  S  Greco-Roman thought about cancer
Cancer: 29 March 2004