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Cancer patient via Shutterstock

Poor people 70% more likely to get lung, stomach, and cervical cancers

In Ireland, lung, stomach, head and neck, and cervical cancers are all more common in areas of higher unemployment and lower levels of education.

POORER AND MARGINALISED groups in society are 70 per cent more likely to get some cancers.

The Irish Cancer Society and the Society of the St Vincent de Paul is warning that action is needed to close the health inequality gap.

Factors such as the level of education, income, employment and living conditions can all influence cancer risk and survival.

In Ireland, lung, stomach, head and neck, and cervical cancers are all more common in areas of higher unemployment and lower levels of education.

Men in areas with the poorest education levels have a 32 per cent greater risk of lung cancer than men living in areas with the highest level, while women have a 23 per cent greater risk.

Women in areas with the lowest education levels had a 66 per cent greater risk of cervical cancer than those in areas with the highest level of educational attainment.

Men in the most densely populated areas had a 53 per cent greater risk of developing head and neck cancer than men in less densely populated areas.

Professor Sir Michael Marmot, international expert on inequalities in health and director of the University College London Institute of Heath Equity said , “We know that half of all cancers are preventable by means of healthier living. But an individual’s ability to act on this information is shaped by social conditions acting through the life course.”

“If we are to have any hope of reducing high cancer rates among poorer communities, we have to recognise and tackle the social and economic factors which impact on people’s health. We have to make sure that everyone, no matter where they live or how much money they have, gets the same high quality cancer treatment,” said John McCormack, CEO of the Irish Cancer Society.

Well-off ‘more likely to have cervical cancer screening’ – except in Northern Ireland>

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12 Comments
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    Mute Gordon Larney
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    Nov 4th 2021, 6:22 AM

    Clever people doing clever stuff.

    109
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    Mute Deirdre McDonnell
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    Nov 4th 2021, 11:47 AM

    @Gordon Larney: Now that the weather is getting colder would you not maybe try a pot as a hat as opposed to your regular tinfoil?

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    Mute Gordon Larney
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    Nov 4th 2021, 3:25 PM

    @Deirdre McDonnell: are you ok Deirdre? Maybe you could help me out as I’m struggling to see how you have come to the conclusion that I’d be part of the tin foil brigade?

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    Mute Deirdre McDonnell
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    Nov 4th 2021, 6:01 PM

    @Gordon Larney: Sincere apologies Gordon I thought you were saying typical that that study is out now because of covid vaccines. Those anti vaxxers just seem to be growing sadly! Apologies again.

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    Mute Órla Creedon
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    Nov 4th 2021, 8:17 AM

    The hpv vaccine should be made available to all students in secondary school, especially for boys who missed the first year dose as they were a year or so ahead of when they started vaccinations for boys as well.
    I have two boys I’d like to get vaccinated, but with 3 doses each at approx €250 a dose, it’s something I simply cannot afford.

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    Mute Gavin Tobin
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    Nov 4th 2021, 8:38 AM

    @Órla Creedon: Boys/men second class citizens when it comes to proactive health measures.

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    Mute Paul Clancy
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    Nov 4th 2021, 8:47 AM

    @Órla Creedon: is it not free? I got mine and didn’t need to pay for it

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    Mute Órla Creedon
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    Nov 4th 2021, 9:27 AM

    @Paul Clancy: nope. My middle son missed out by a year, he went into second year the year they brought out for first years.
    The gp will administer for free but you pay for the vaccine. Had same discussion with nurse when daughter was getting hers a couple of weeks ago about all secondary students to get it.realistically it would only be three year groups to vaccinate. The benefits far outweigh the potential costs.

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    Mute Paul Clancy
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    Nov 4th 2021, 1:16 PM

    @Órla Creedon: I’d contact your local sexual health clinic and see what they say. As far as I know they give it free and advice on the HSE site suggested contacting them. Fingers crossed they will do it.

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    Mute Gary C
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    Nov 4th 2021, 10:36 AM

    Didnt the Goverment cut this or the cervical scans in the 2008 budget to save 10 million euro per annum.
    But were expected to believe they really care about womens health and ours in general.

    18
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