To the Editor: McBride reports that there were four deaths from cancer before the age of 40 years in a group of 480 thalidomide-affected people in the United Kingdom, an approximate cumulative mortality rate of 0.83%.1 He compares this with the annual death rate in the under-40-years age group, and concludes that the rate is increased almost 100 times in those affected by thalidomide.
The full article is accessible to AMA members and paid subscribers. Login to read more or purchase a subscription now.
Please note: institutional and Research4Life access to the MJA is now provided through Wiley Online Library.
Correspondence:
- 1. McBride W. Thalidomide and cancer [letter]. Med J Aust 2002; 177; 278.<eMJA full text>
- 2. Quinn M, Babb P, Brock A, et al. Cancer trends in England and Wales 1950–1999. London: The Stationary Office, 2001.
Online responses are no longer available. Please refer to our instructions for authors page for more information.