Cancer mortality 1981-2016 and contribution of specific cancers to current socioeconomic inequalities in all cancer mortality: a population-based study

Brown, D. , Conway, D. I. , McMahon, A. D. , Dundas, R. and Leyland, A. H. (2021) Cancer mortality 1981-2016 and contribution of specific cancers to current socioeconomic inequalities in all cancer mortality: a population-based study. Cancer Epidemiology, 74, 102010. (doi: 10.1016/j.canep.2021.102010) (PMID:34418667) (PMCID:PMC7611600)

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Abstract

Background: In many high-income countries cancer mortality rates have declined, however, socioeconomic inequalities in cancer mortality have widened over time with those in the most deprived areas bearing the greatest burden. Less is known about the contribution of specific cancers to inequalities in total cancer mortality. Methods: Using high-quality routinely collected population and mortality records we examine long-term trends in cancer mortality rates in Scotland by age group, sex, and area deprivation. We use the decomposed slope and relative indices of inequality to identify the specific cancers that contribute most to absolute and relative inequalities, respectively, in total cancer mortality. Results: Cancer mortality rates fell by 24 % for males and 10 % for females over the last 35 years; declining across all age groups except females aged 75+ where rates rose by 14 %. Lung cancer remains the most common cause of cancer death. Mortality rates of lung cancer have more than halved for males since 1981, while rates among females have almost doubled over the same period. Conclusion: Current relative inequalities in total cancer mortality are dominated by inequalities in lung cancer mortality, but with contributions from other cancer sites including liver, and head and neck (males); and breast (females), stomach and cervical (younger females). An understanding of which cancer sites contribute most to inequalities in total cancer mortality is crucial for improving cancer health and care, and for reducing preventable cancer deaths.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:McMahon, Dr Alex and Dundas, Professor Ruth and Conway, Professor David and Brown, Dr Denise and Leyland, Professor Alastair
Creator Roles:
Brown, D.Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing
Conway, D. I.Conceptualization, Writing – review and editing
McMahon, A. D.Conceptualization, Writing – review and editing
Dundas, R.Methodology, Writing – review and editing
Leyland, A. H.Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing – review and editing
Authors: Brown, D., Conway, D. I., McMahon, A. D., Dundas, R., and Leyland, A. H.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Dental School
Journal Name:Cancer Epidemiology
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:1877-7821
ISSN (Online):1877-783X
Published Online:19 August 2021
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2021 The Authors
First Published:First published in Cancer Epidemiology 74: 102010
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
3048230021Inequalities in healthAlastair LeylandMedical Research Council (MRC)MC_UU_00022/2HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
3048230071Inequalities in healthAlastair LeylandOffice of the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSO)SPHSU17HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit