[Germany] Poverty increases cancer risk by up to 88 per cent

New research has revealed that people who are living in poverty in Germany are at a much higher risk of developing cancer, IamExpat reports.

The study by the German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ) identified a link between poverty and cancer risk in the country.

The age-adjusted incidence rate of cancer in Germany is reportedly decreasing each year. However, a new study published in the International Journal of Cancer has demonstrated how - compared to the affluent population - poorer people in Germany are at a greater risk of developing cancer than before.

Researchers from the German Cancer Research Centre analysed data from between 2007 and 2018, gathered from eight of the 16 German federal states, which represent 60 per cent of the national population. They found that although the age-adjusted incidence rate of cancer is declining, the positive trend is more pronounced in more affluent areas of the country. 

Cancer diagnoses at district and regional levels were analysed for the study, together with wages, the rate of employment, the rate of education, the environment and levels of safety. The team from the German Cancer Research Centre found that in 2007, men in economically deprived parts of Germany were 7 per cent more likely to develop cancer. The figure had risen to 23 per cent by 2018.

The discrepancies for lung cancer were even more pronounced. In 2018, men in impoverished areas were 82 per cent more likely to develop lung cancer compared to their counterparts in wealthier regions. Women were 88 per cent more likely to develop the disease.

Economic factors

Researchers reportedly determined that access to adequate healthcare services - such as enough doctors, access to a hospital within a reasonable distance and sufficient hospital beds - remained fairly equal across the eight states considered.

Lina Jansen - head researcher - said, “Social factors seem to play a much bigger role than general infrastructure,” instead and are far more important in terms of prevention.

For example, Ms Jansen said that lack of regular physical activity and higher rates of alcohol and tobacco consumption - which all increase the risk of cancer - are habits that tend to be more prevalent in impoverished areas. 

“Our results once again show that we need to make special efforts in the future to ensure that everyone can have the opportunity to benefit from a healthy lifestyle and screening examinations - regardless of their postcode.”

Source: IamExpat

(Quotes via original reporting) 

New research has revealed that people who are living in poverty in Germany are at a much higher risk of developing cancer, IamExpat reports.

The study by the German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ) identified a link between poverty and cancer risk in the country.

The age-adjusted incidence rate of cancer in Germany is reportedly decreasing each year. However, a new study published in the International Journal of Cancer has demonstrated how - compared to the affluent population - poorer people in Germany are at a greater risk of developing cancer than before.

Researchers from the German Cancer Research Centre analysed data from between 2007 and 2018, gathered from eight of the 16 German federal states, which represent 60 per cent of the national population. They found that although the age-adjusted incidence rate of cancer is declining, the positive trend is more pronounced in more affluent areas of the country. 

Cancer diagnoses at district and regional levels were analysed for the study, together with wages, the rate of employment, the rate of education, the environment and levels of safety. The team from the German Cancer Research Centre found that in 2007, men in economically deprived parts of Germany were 7 per cent more likely to develop cancer. The figure had risen to 23 per cent by 2018.

The discrepancies for lung cancer were even more pronounced. In 2018, men in impoverished areas were 82 per cent more likely to develop lung cancer compared to their counterparts in wealthier regions. Women were 88 per cent more likely to develop the disease.

Economic factors

Researchers reportedly determined that access to adequate healthcare services - such as enough doctors, access to a hospital within a reasonable distance and sufficient hospital beds - remained fairly equal across the eight states considered.

Lina Jansen - head researcher - said, “Social factors seem to play a much bigger role than general infrastructure,” instead and are far more important in terms of prevention.

For example, Ms Jansen said that lack of regular physical activity and higher rates of alcohol and tobacco consumption - which all increase the risk of cancer - are habits that tend to be more prevalent in impoverished areas. 

“Our results once again show that we need to make special efforts in the future to ensure that everyone can have the opportunity to benefit from a healthy lifestyle and screening examinations - regardless of their postcode.”

Source: IamExpat

(Quotes via original reporting)