Dr Who and the Daily Mail

[Arfur Teacake]

Interesting letter in the Daily Mail, which asks whether the seemingly premature deaths of its actors from the 1970s series was due the fact that they spent a lot of time on decaying industrial sites.

Could we have another 'The Conqueror' here?

[Gerald Lovell]

Tom Baker was also on location in power stations, etc. with Elisabeth Sladen and Mary Tamm, but he's holding on quite nicely at 78.

[Freddy]

It's an interesting theory, looking at it superficially any recognised industrial disease which contributed to a death would be recorded by the coroner, ie coal dust or asbestos. The late Mickie Most and Malcolm Mclaren both died from inhaling asbestos dust/fibre because of where they worked.

[Mr Sloane]

The Mail has now added TV programmes to its long list of carcinogenics


http://kill-or-cure.heroku.com/

[Dame Starry]

The late Mickie Most and Malcolm Mclaren both died from inhaling asbestos dust/fibre because of where they worked.

It's true that both died from a cancer that can be caused by asbestos and a theory put forward was that, in some recording studios the sound-proofing contained asbestos. It was just one theory I read when Most died.
Maybe they were both heavy smokers - another alleged cause of cancer?

One thing that puzzles me is, why do so many people in the acting profession die of pancreatic cancer?

[Mr Sloane]

It's true that both died from a cancer that can be caused by asbestos and a theory put forward was that, in some recording studios the sound-proofing contained asbestos. It was just one theory I read when Most died.
Maybe they were both heavy smokers - another alleged cause of cancer?

One thing that puzzles me is, why do so many people in the acting profession die of pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer is often down to drink and drug abuse.

[Steve Crook]

The Mail has now added TV programmes to its long list of carcinogenics


http://kill-or-cure.heroku.com/

As that site shows, the Daily Wail thinks that just about everything causes cancer one week and claims that it cures it the next week. Like everything else in that rag, to be taken with a large pinch of salt - which they might well think is good for you this week, or it might cause cancer

Steve

[Windthrop]

As that site shows, the Daily Wail thinks that just about everything causes cancer one week and claims that it cures it the next week. Like everything else in that rag, to be taken with a large pinch of salt - which they might well think is good for you this week, or it might cause cancer

Steve

Indeed

There is one certainty - read the Daily Mail and your brain will rot

[FilmBuff]

Indeed

There is one certainty - read the Daily Mail and your brain will rot

Oh dear I have a rotted brain

[alan french]

I read this article whilst in a cafe. It is interesting, but your opinions and guesses are as good as mine.

With the comment regarding pancreatic cancer. Yes. This might be the cause in some cases. But although my father officially died of a massive heart attack, of which I tragically witnessed; and therefore do not wish to go into detail, he had been suffering for some time with pancreatic cancer. He rarely drank, and did not take drugs. But I am suspicious it was due to an industrial reason that he contracted that complaint.

With regard to location. I can recall that during my schooldays, a man from the nuclear industry visited our school with a geiger-counter and explained how safe nuclear power was. However, I believe this might have been in 1958. In 1957, there was a radiation leak from a nuclear power plant. I think it was Calderhall. Some milk had to be withdrawn due to the fact that cows in a nearby field were producing radio-active milk. Whether his visit was coincidence or to alay fears, as there was public concern on nuclear power, I do not know.

There was a film in which certain stars, including John Wayne, were subject to dust. There was a theory, which may or not be true, that this dust was contaminated, and therefore that is why the three main stars contracted cancer.

As far as this article in the press is concerned, I believe it is from a member of the public. But as I say in my opening line, your guess and opinion is as good as mine on this subject.

Alan French.

[Freddy]

It's true that both died from a cancer that can be caused by asbestos and a theory put forward was that, in some recording studios the sound-proofing contained asbestos. It was just one theory I read when Most died.
Maybe they were both heavy smokers - another alleged cause of cancer?

Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos, smoking can be a complication but it is not a cause.

If you presented yourself to the DWP with mesothelioma it would be classed as an industrial disease and would be treated accordingly. Although it is mainly found in construction and industry white collar workers such as teachers have contracted it. More men suffer from it than women, the latter can contract it through washing their husband's overalls or in the early days young girls would work in sack shops close to the docks where they would repair and clean sacks, some of which would have had been filled with asbestos fibre.

[Steve Crook]

With regard to location. I can recall that during my schooldays, a man from the nuclear industry visited our school with a geiger-counter and explained how safe nuclear power was. However, I believe this might have been in 1958. In 1957, there was a radiation leak from a nuclear power plant. I think it was Calderhall. Some milk had to be withdrawn due to the fact that cows in a nearby field were producing radio-active milk. Whether his visit was coincidence or to alay fears, as there was public concern on nuclear power, I do not know.

The visit was a part of the nuclear industry's continuing campaign to convince people that nuclear power is safe. It's like turkeys trying to convince Americans that Thanksgiving is a bad idea

They've had quite a few leaks there. Every time they have one they rename the place. Calder Hall, Windscale, Seascale, Sellafield and others. They keep the cows in the field outside so that they can act like canaries down a mineshaft. When the cows fall off their perches, they know they've got another leak

Steve

[TimR]

.....
There was a film in which certain stars, including John Wayne, were subject to dust. There was a theory, which may or not be true, that this dust was contaminated, and therefore that is why the three main stars contracted cancer.
Alan French.

That was The Conqueror. Many more died from the cast and crew and production team - some in their 50s, such as Susan Hayward and Dick Powell and Pedro Armendáriz. I don't know what the usual statistics are for the incidence of cancer, but there is no question that the tests in that area were extremely dangerous and there was little if any concern for the inhabitants.

[Amethyst_Isle]

That was The Conqueror. Many more died from the cast and crew and production team - some in their 50s, such as Susan Hayward and Dick Powell and Pedro Armendáriz. I don't know what the usual statistics are for the incidence of cancer, but there is no question that the tests in that area were extremely dangerous and there was little if any concern for the inhabitants.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Con...er_controversy

[Arfur Teacake]

As that site shows, the Daily Wail thinks that just about everything causes cancer one week and claims that it cures it the next week. Like everything else in that rag, to be taken with a large pinch of salt - which they might well think is good for you this week, or it might cause cancer Steve

Yes but Steve this was not an article in Daily Mail itself, it was a thread from a reader, I thought it was quite an interesting observation, hence posted here for people to add their views.... but it was not a sermon,but thank you for yours.

[TimR]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Con...er_controversy

It is evident that the levels of cancer were much higher than the norm - extraordinary story.

[alan french]

Hi,
Thankyou for those who have added comments or information, with regard to certain things that I said in my response. And yes, what Arfur says, also backs up what I also said. The article was submitted by a member of the public.

I am particurly interested, as I used to be a union rep. And my speciality was quite often health and safety. It was quite interesting to note how much radiation there was; and still is; around; and from what. It is very disturbing.

Alan French.

[Mark O]

Indeed

There is one certainty - read the Daily Mail and your brain will rot

Oh dear I have a rotted brain

Seems like I have also after decades of reading the blessed rag..., oh my, better send for the men in white coats..

[Moor Larkin]

The statistics on The Conqueror seem quite stratling; 91 out of 220. Around 40%? I was reading that the Army service-man *deliberately* exposed to the Aussie nuclear tests held by the British in the 1950's are only claiming a 30% cancer rate. The prolonged exposure to the soil dust seems to be the most significant thing about the movie scenario.
http://www.people.com/people/archive...077825,00.html

I would have thought the Dr Who Theory could only be taken seriously if there are unexpectedly high numbers of the BBC crews suffering cancers too; otherwise the coincidence of a few actors is just that - a sad coincidence.

[alan french]

Hi,
I too hope it is an unfortunate coincidence.

Alan French.