Cancer is a devastating disease that affects millions of people around the world each year.

The causes of cancer are complex and multifactorial, and there are many risk factors that have been identified, including genetic predisposition, environmental exposure, lifestyle factors, and socio-economic status. In this article, we will explore the relationship between socio-economic status and cancer occurrence, and examine the evidence for a correlation between these two factors.

What is socio-economic status?

Socio-economic status (SES) refers to an individual’s or family’s position within a social hierarchy based on their income, education, and occupation.

It is a composite measure of economic resources, social position, and access to opportunity. SES is often used as a proxy for material and social resources that can impact health outcomes, including cancer incidence, survival, and mortality.

How can socio-economic status impact cancer occurrence?

Socio-economic status can impact cancer risk in many ways.

Firstly, individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds tend to have lower levels of education, income, and occupational prestige, which can limit opportunities for healthy lifestyle choices, such as exercise, healthy eating, and smoking cessation. These lifestyle choices are well-established risk factors for cancer, and therefore, can contribute to a higher risk of cancer in this population.

In addition, lower socio-economic status can also impact access to health care and cancer screening.

Individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds may have less access to regular check-ups, cancer screenings, and preventative health care, which means that cancer may be diagnosed later and at a more advanced stage, leading to poorer outcomes and higher mortality rates.

What does the evidence suggest?

Studies have consistently shown that there is a correlation between socio-economic status and cancer incidence and mortality rates.

For example, a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that individuals from the lowest income groups had the highest incidence of cancer and the highest mortality rate from cancer compared to those from the highest income groups.

Similarly, a study conducted by the World Health Organization found that cancer mortality rates were significantly higher in countries with lower levels of economic development and higher levels of poverty.

This suggests that poverty and socio-economic inequality may play a role in the development and progression of cancer.

Can socio-economic status be changed to reduce cancer risk?

The relationship between socio-economic status and cancer incidence and mortality rates is complex and multifactorial, and it is not always possible to change an individual’s socio-economic status.

However, there are interventions that can be put in place to reduce cancer risk and improve outcomes for individuals from low socio-economic backgrounds.

For example, increasing access to preventative health care, cancer screenings, and early treatment can help to reduce cancer incidence and mortality rates in this population.

Initiatives that promote healthy lifestyle choices, such as smoking cessation programs, healthy diet and exercise programs, and education on the dangers of alcohol consumption can also help to reduce cancer risk in this population.

Conclusion

Overall, the evidence suggests that there is a correlation between socio-economic status and cancer occurrence, with individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds at a higher risk of developing and dying from cancer.

While it may not always be possible to change socio-economic status, interventions that aim to improve access to preventative health care, early treatment and promote healthy lifestyle choices can help to reduce cancer risk and improve outcomes for this population.