How being poor increases chance of getting cancer - MEN, 14 June 2010

Thousands of cancer cases could be prevented every year if poorer people in areas such as Salford, Rochdale and Bolton were as healthy as the better off.

The National Cancer Intelligence Network said up to 14,000 cases in England could be stopped if everyone was as healthy as the wealthiest 20 per cent of the population.

The organisation’s study looked at parts of the country identified as deprived – including Bolton, Rochdale and Salford as well as Wakefield, Barnsley, Cumbria, Northumberland, Birmingham, County Durham, and large areas in London.

People are more likely to smoke or be obese in the most deprived areas, the report found. It also reported people from poorer backgrounds are more likely to suffer from late diagnosis and inequalities in treatments and are less likely to attend cancer screening programmes.

Poorer patients of both sexes were more likely to suffer a range of cancers compared with their richer counterparts.

Men were more likely to suffer the effects of deprivation than women.

Chris Carrigan, head of the National Cancer Intelligence Network, said: “Although men are generally more likely to get cancer, much of the difference is down to lung cancer, the most common cause of cancer death.

“Lower awareness of signs and symptoms of cancer – leading to later diagnosis – may further increase poorer people’s risk of dying from the disease.

“Urgent action must be taken to improve the health of people living in deprived areas.”

Care services minister Paul Burstow said: “It's incredibly important that we reduce inequalities. But everyone can do their bit by eating sensibly, giving up smoking and seeing a GP as soon as possible if they have concerns.”

Drugs used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure may be linked to cancer, a US study says. Use of angiotensin receptor blockers was associated with a ‘modestly increased risk’ of new cancer diagnosis scientists said. But Cancer Research UK said more research was needed and people shouldn’t stop taking them.

(http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/health/s/1242887_how_be...)