MEN with prostate cancer living in the most deprived communities in Scotland are nearly twice as likely to die from the illness as those in the most affluent postcodes, according to new research exposing the "cancer survival gap" between rich and poor patients.
Analysis of the six most common cancers - including prostate, breast, head and neck, colorectal, liver and lung cancer - found that the risk of death was anything from 28 to 98 per cent higher in deprived areas depending on the type.
Factors including later detection of the disease, lower rates of screening uptake and lower rates of treatment all played a part in the disparity. The details of the survival gulf have emerged in research carried out by Macmillan Cancer Support and Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland, the official health statistics body.
The findings are published today in a report, 'Deprivation and Cancer Survival in Scotland'.
Macmillan's head in Scotland, Janice Preston, said: “It’s completely unacceptable that someone’s chances of surviving cancer could be predicted by their postcode. This new research gives us an up to date and in-depth understanding of the scale of the cancer survival gap in Scotland. It also provides the most comprehensive ever look at the reasons behind it.
“While the sheer number of factors that impact on survival means there is no magic bullet to solving this problem, this research points to clear areas for improvements, including encouraging earlier diagnosis and the take up of screening in deprived areas.”
Of the cancers investigated, prostate cancer patients faced the biggest survival gap with a 98 per cent increased risk of death. Breast cancer patients from deprived areas had an increased risk of death of 89 per cent, while it was 61 per cent for head and neck cancer patients.
Colorectal patients in deprived areas had a 45 per cent increased risk of death and liver cancer patients a 28 per cent increased risk. Lung cancer patients faced poor outcomes regardless of their socioeconomic status, although those from the most deprived areas were eight per cent more likely to die.
It comes days after the Royal College of Radiologists warned that cancer diagnoses and surgeries were at risk from a shortage of radiologists in Scotland able to analyse tests such as CT and MRI scans.
The Macmillan report found that surgery had the biggest influence on survival rates. Those who received it were more likely to survive, suggesting that those from deprived communities may be less likely to undergo surgery - possibly because their cancer is more likely to be advanced and inoperable or because they have poorer overall health.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said: “While cancer mortality rates have reduced by 11 per cent over the past ten years, we recognise the need to tackle the variations between our least and most deprived communities.
"This is why our Cancer Strategy, backed by £100 million of additional investment, sets out clear actions aimed at reducing health inequalities. We’re already seeing results – with increased screening participation and earlier diagnosis – however there’s much more still to be done."
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