National Cancer Research Institute Press
Release
Mammogram Deprivation could be responsible for around 450 deaths
from breast cancer every year in England as women in lower income groups are
likely to be diagnosed when the disease is more advanced, and treatment is less
effective.
Research presented today at the National Cancer Research
Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference in Liverpool, and funded by Cancer Research
UK, examined the effect deprivation has on the stage at which women are
diagnosed with breast cancer, and how many lives are lost as a
result.
The researchers, based at the Universities of Leicester and
Cambridge, looked at the stage of breast cancer in over 20,000 women diagnosed
between 2006-2010 using data from the National Cancer Registration Service
(Public Health England). They then calculated the number of lives that would be
saved within 5 years of diagnosis if the stage at diagnosis for all deprivation
groups matched those of the most affluent women.
The study estimates that
40 lives would be saved every year in Eastern England if these socioeconomic
differences were removed, equivalent to around 450 lives saved in the whole of
England every year.
Cancer Research UK
Poverty 'linked to breast
cancer deaths'
Hundreds of women from the poorest backgrounds
in England are dying needlessly of breast cancer, according to
researchers.
Data presented at the National Cancer Research Institute
conference showed poverty was linked to 450 breast cancer deaths a
year.
Catching the tumour late is thought to be a major explanation for
the deaths.
The charity Cancer Research UK said women needed to go to
their GP promptly.
There is a strong link between wealth and health.
Cancer, heart attacks, stroke, lung disease and liver disease are all more
likely in areas of social deprivation.
BBC
Revealing and disturbing clickable map showing
overall premature deaths and premature deaths from various conditions in
relation to socioeconomic deprivation. (They define deprivation as -
"Deprivation covers a broad range of issues and refers to unmet needs caused by
a lack of resources of all kinds, not just financial")
Public Health England
