How where you live could increase your risk of killer cancer by 60% – do you live in a danger zone?

CANCER death rates are almost 60 per cent higher for people living in the most deprived areas of the UK, research shows.

This “stark inequality” results in 28,000 extra fatalities every year, half of which are caused by preventable factors like smoking and obesity.

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Rates of smoking and obesity are higher in more deprived parts of the UK – fuelling cancer cases[/caption]

According to Cancer Research UK (CRUK), this amounts to about 78 deaths a day – and accounts for 15 per cent of all cancer deaths.

The charity said people living in poorer areas were also more likely to be diagnosed later and offered less effective cancer treatments.

Dr Ian Walker, executive director of policy and information at CRUK, said: “No one should be at a greater risk of dying from this devastating disease simply because of where they live.

“These figures are shocking and unacceptable – but crucially, they’re avoidable.

“People from more deprived areas are being diagnosed too late.

“Improving access to NHS services through funding and innovation will be vital, so that those who seek help get the care they deserve.”

Nearly half of the additional deaths – 47 per cent – were caused by lung cancer, the report found.

Death rates from lung cancer were almost three times higher among the most deprived Brits, compared to those living in the least deprived areas of the UK.

Smoking is the single biggest risk factor for lung cancer and, according to the report, smoking rates were higher in poorer parts of the country.

Twenty-two per cent of people living in deprived areas said they smoked, compared with just 6 per cent of those in wealthier areas.

Rates of obesity – which has been linked to a higher risk of 13 different types of cancer – were also higher in poorer areas.

Check out our interactive map below showing the most deprived local authorities in the UK, according to latest Office of National Statistics (ONS) data.

According to the report, the proportion of adults who were obese in deprived areas was 36 per cent, compared with 19 per cent in better-off areas.

CRUK said people living in UK’s most deprived areas were also less likely to attend free cancer screenings.

One example used in the report is the bowel screening programme, which allows patients to collect a stool sample at home before posting it back for testing.

It found there is a 57 per cent uptake of the test in deprived areas, compared with 76 per cent in wealthier areas.

The NHS also offers free checks to pick up breast and cervical cancer.

Recognising cancer red flags

Finally, deprived Brits were less likely to recognise cancer symptoms.

“Specifically, people from lower social grade groups are more likely to think their potential cancer symptoms are caused by an existing health problem or medication/vaccination side effects, compared to people from higher social grade groups,” the report stated.

And even if they are aware of potential cancer symptoms, poorer Brits may put off seeking help because they’re worried they won’t be taken seriously.

Karis Betts, inequalities lead at CRUK, said: “To tackle cancer inequalities, our health services need to work together with communities themselves – to prevent the causes of cancer and spot the disease earlier.

“Sustainably funding support to help people stop smoking will avoid so many cancer cases in deprived areas.

“But we also need new and better ways to diagnose cancer at an early stage, like targeted lung screening, which is proven to help save lives in at-risk communities.

“It’s vital that this is fully rolled out across England, followed by all four UK nations.”

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Deprived Brits were less likely to recognise cancer symptoms – such as unexplained weight loss[/caption]

Professor Peter Johnson, NHS National Clinical Director for Cancer, said: “NHS staff are working hard to ensure that everyone affected by cancer receives a prompt diagnosis and treatment, and initiatives such as our Targeted Lung Check have been especially helpful for people in deprived areas who are at greater risk of cancer, so that if they have lung cancer it is now being diagnosed at a much earlier stage.

“We recognise there is still much more to do to ensure that everyone receives a timely diagnosis and treatment, and are seeing record numbers come forward for urgent checks, with suspected cancer referrals more than doubling in the last decade, a narrowing of the gap between the most and least well-off, and cancer survival rates have never been higher.

“The NHS is fully committed to improving access to cancer care and recently confirmed the Faster Diagnosis Standard target is to be increased, to see around 100,000 more patients receive a diagnosis or the all-clear within four weeks next year.”

Dr Neil Smith, GP Lead for Lancashire and South Cumbria Cancer Alliance, said: “As a GP working in a deprived area, I see first-hand how hard it can be for patients to get access to vital services, and the impact this has on them and their loved ones.

“High-quality care should be available to everyone when they need it. But sometimes, the hardest step can be getting to the doctor in the first place.

“Wherever you live in the UK, if you’re worried about your health, your GP will want to see you. Although it can be difficult to get an appointment, it’s vital that you keep trying – it probably won’t be cancer, but if it is, spotting it early could make all
the difference.”