- Email: [email protected]
Cancer registry
74
BOOK REVIEWS
activity seems much more promising. However, both techniques are widely used (and misused!) at present and this book should provide a firmer base on which the analysis of brain electrical activity can be done. Although the title of the book suggests a wider remit, the authors have restricted themselves to frequency analysis, evoked response and discriminant analysis of the EEG and the time series analysis of the neuronal unit activity. In the last chapter they make a brave attempt to look at techniques for investigating the relationships between the macro- and micro-potentials. In the preface the authors assume that ‘mathematically the reader is equipped with a hazy recollection of calculus’ and hope that they can ‘dispel most of the haze in the early going’. In common with most scientists, they don’t know how dense the fog can be to others and how much effort is required to clear it. Their concept-that given an understanding of the mathematics the neurobiologist will develop a feel for analytical techniques-is fine for people with a feel for mathematics, but not for others. Nevertheless, the book has real value in that the limitations of the various techniques are well covered and much of this can be acquired without a full understanding of the mathematics. The first three chapters are concerned with the theoretical groundwork of signal analysis covering: (1) the properties of biological signals; (2) basics of signal processing and (3) power spectra and covariance functions. These three chapters cover the use of signal analysis for investigation of the spontaneous EEG although obviously much of the contents would be applicable to other biological signals. Chapters 4 and 5 deal with detection of the evoked potentials and include averaging, discriminant analysis, principal components and varimax analysis. Again there is comprehensive coverage but most readers will find that these are not easy chapters to absorb. Chapters 6 and 7,are concerned with the analysis of the spontaneous and driven single and multiple unit activity and in the last chapter methods of relating the slow wave (EEG) and unit activity are described. Whilst there is a reasonable logic for considering the analytical methods of both slow and unit activity in one book, there are, alas, but few people who are intimately concerned with both of these aspects of the nervous system as each topic is a career in itself. Thus, for most readers, only half the book will be useful. However, there is enough substance in each half for the average reader to be more than satisfied although I imagine that this is a book for the library rather than the personal collection. R. COOPER
Cancer Registry, ed. by E. Grundmann and E. Pederson. Recent Results Cancer Research, Vol. 50, Springer-Verlag, New York, 1975. Pp. 191. 59 figures. Price: US $20.70. This is a collection of twenty-three
papers given in 1973 at a Symposium in
BOOK REVIEWS
75
Dusseldorf, sponsored by the Swiss League against Cancer, by participants from a number of countries and from the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer; yet none from the USSR or Japan. Deliberations such as these are very important and, indeed, timely, in view of the spreading of computerised methods. The usefulness of Cancer Registries will depend on the judicious selection of data for computerisation-those which are essential from those which may be desirable but not practicable taking into consideration the available expert manpower and financial resources. The historical background, the pros and cons of cancer registration and the attitude to them of public opinion in Germany and other countries are discussed in the introductory paper (Grundmann). Standardisation of Cancer Registries internationally, as regards terminology, collection of data, etc. (Winkler), although desirable as the ultimate aim, has its practical limitations even in the industrialised countries, as stressed by several contributors. The need for moderation in the enthusiasm for computerised uniformity is well expressed by Clemmensen, the doyen of epidemiological studies: ‘It is to be hoped that cancer registration will be developed under as varying conditions as possible, but also that a blind belief in the benefits of uniformity will not succeed in eliminating different methods of collecting and disseminating information. If we insist on too much international uniformity we could replace enterprising national research with sterile international administration’. Examples of regional variations in the incidence of various types of cancer and how these can present pointers to the potential aetiological factors of such tumours are summarised in a valuable paper by Muir. It is of interest that although intercountry migrants tend to develop tumour-patterns which are intermediate between those of their country of origin and the host-country, the incidence of various types of cancer among the Parsi-population, which retained its distinctive way of life, remained different from that in the other ethnic groups, even 1300 years after immigration into Bombay and its surroundings (Jussawalla). Perhaps in the near future it may become possible to trace the factors that determine the high incidence of breast cancer among the Parsi women and of prostate cancer among the Parsi men. Various natural oestrogenic agents derived from plants or from microorganisms have been recognised in recent years. Search for such compounds in foodstuffs, or in certain specifically used herbal preparations, would be indicated. This volume, which contains under one cover in addition several papers which summarise the experiences with various National or Regional Cancer Registries, should prove valuable for anybody intent on the setting up of a new Registry, or on the modification of an existing one. It should also be helpful to those who intend to use data from Cancer Registries for researching into various aspects of cancer epidemiology, or into the methods of treatment of cancer in man. R. SCHOENTAL
BOOK REVIEWS
activity seems much more promising. However, both techniques are widely used (and misused!) at present and this book should provide a firmer base on which the analysis of brain electrical activity can be done. Although the title of the book suggests a wider remit, the authors have restricted themselves to frequency analysis, evoked response and discriminant analysis of the EEG and the time series analysis of the neuronal unit activity. In the last chapter they make a brave attempt to look at techniques for investigating the relationships between the macro- and micro-potentials. In the preface the authors assume that ‘mathematically the reader is equipped with a hazy recollection of calculus’ and hope that they can ‘dispel most of the haze in the early going’. In common with most scientists, they don’t know how dense the fog can be to others and how much effort is required to clear it. Their concept-that given an understanding of the mathematics the neurobiologist will develop a feel for analytical techniques-is fine for people with a feel for mathematics, but not for others. Nevertheless, the book has real value in that the limitations of the various techniques are well covered and much of this can be acquired without a full understanding of the mathematics. The first three chapters are concerned with the theoretical groundwork of signal analysis covering: (1) the properties of biological signals; (2) basics of signal processing and (3) power spectra and covariance functions. These three chapters cover the use of signal analysis for investigation of the spontaneous EEG although obviously much of the contents would be applicable to other biological signals. Chapters 4 and 5 deal with detection of the evoked potentials and include averaging, discriminant analysis, principal components and varimax analysis. Again there is comprehensive coverage but most readers will find that these are not easy chapters to absorb. Chapters 6 and 7,are concerned with the analysis of the spontaneous and driven single and multiple unit activity and in the last chapter methods of relating the slow wave (EEG) and unit activity are described. Whilst there is a reasonable logic for considering the analytical methods of both slow and unit activity in one book, there are, alas, but few people who are intimately concerned with both of these aspects of the nervous system as each topic is a career in itself. Thus, for most readers, only half the book will be useful. However, there is enough substance in each half for the average reader to be more than satisfied although I imagine that this is a book for the library rather than the personal collection. R. COOPER
Cancer Registry, ed. by E. Grundmann and E. Pederson. Recent Results Cancer Research, Vol. 50, Springer-Verlag, New York, 1975. Pp. 191. 59 figures. Price: US $20.70. This is a collection of twenty-three
papers given in 1973 at a Symposium in
BOOK REVIEWS
75
Dusseldorf, sponsored by the Swiss League against Cancer, by participants from a number of countries and from the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer; yet none from the USSR or Japan. Deliberations such as these are very important and, indeed, timely, in view of the spreading of computerised methods. The usefulness of Cancer Registries will depend on the judicious selection of data for computerisation-those which are essential from those which may be desirable but not practicable taking into consideration the available expert manpower and financial resources. The historical background, the pros and cons of cancer registration and the attitude to them of public opinion in Germany and other countries are discussed in the introductory paper (Grundmann). Standardisation of Cancer Registries internationally, as regards terminology, collection of data, etc. (Winkler), although desirable as the ultimate aim, has its practical limitations even in the industrialised countries, as stressed by several contributors. The need for moderation in the enthusiasm for computerised uniformity is well expressed by Clemmensen, the doyen of epidemiological studies: ‘It is to be hoped that cancer registration will be developed under as varying conditions as possible, but also that a blind belief in the benefits of uniformity will not succeed in eliminating different methods of collecting and disseminating information. If we insist on too much international uniformity we could replace enterprising national research with sterile international administration’. Examples of regional variations in the incidence of various types of cancer and how these can present pointers to the potential aetiological factors of such tumours are summarised in a valuable paper by Muir. It is of interest that although intercountry migrants tend to develop tumour-patterns which are intermediate between those of their country of origin and the host-country, the incidence of various types of cancer among the Parsi-population, which retained its distinctive way of life, remained different from that in the other ethnic groups, even 1300 years after immigration into Bombay and its surroundings (Jussawalla). Perhaps in the near future it may become possible to trace the factors that determine the high incidence of breast cancer among the Parsi women and of prostate cancer among the Parsi men. Various natural oestrogenic agents derived from plants or from microorganisms have been recognised in recent years. Search for such compounds in foodstuffs, or in certain specifically used herbal preparations, would be indicated. This volume, which contains under one cover in addition several papers which summarise the experiences with various National or Regional Cancer Registries, should prove valuable for anybody intent on the setting up of a new Registry, or on the modification of an existing one. It should also be helpful to those who intend to use data from Cancer Registries for researching into various aspects of cancer epidemiology, or into the methods of treatment of cancer in man. R. SCHOENTAL