Low-income Dutch people are at higher risk of developing certain types of cancer, according to research by the Integrated Cancer Center Netherlands (IKNL) published on Tuesday. This is the first publication in a three-part study on socioeconomic status and cancer.
It was previously known that low-income Dutch live on average 7 years shorter and experience worse health 22 years earlier than those with high incomes, writes IKNL. This association also exists with cancer risk.
Research shows that many forms of cancer occur more often in Dutch people of low socioeconomic status (SES). In this group there is a greater risk of developing cancer of the lung, liver, stomach, head and neck. “Unknown primary tumor,” a malignant tumor of unknown origin, is also more common among low-income people. Skin, breast, prostate, and testicular cancer are more common as income rises.
The differences in cancer types are greatest in liver cancer. This type is three times more common in people with low SES. This is followed by stomach cancer and 'unknown primary tumour' (2.6 times as often), head and neck cancer (2.5 times as often), and lung cancer (2.3 times as often). Skin tumors are more common in patients with high SES.
According to IKNL, the likely reason why these cancers occur more often in low-income Dutch people is that they often smoke, have an unhealthy lifestyle or are overweight. These are risk factors for cancer.
High-income people often participate in population surveys
For the majority of cancers, the stage of cancer at diagnosis is comparable for Dutch people with lower and higher incomes. There is a difference in some types. For example, cervical, breast, rectal, skin, and prostate cancer are often detected at a more favorable stage in higher-income patients than in lower-income patients.
The reason for this, according to IKNL, is that these are cancers for which there is a preventive policy, such as population screening and vaccinations against HPV. The Dutch with higher incomes participate in this more often. This reduces the chance of contracting the disease or detecting the disease early.
The IKNL has several recommendations to reduce variations. For example, the government recommends investing in policies that reduce health disparities. Individuals are called to live healthier lives and participate in preventive policies, such as population surveys and vaccination programmes.
Two more publications are planned for this research, specifically on topics such as treatment and quality of life for different income groups.
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