Impacto de las desigualdades socioeconómicas en los principales indicadores epidemiológicos del cáncer en España

Resum

Introduction: Cancer is a major public health problem, with lung, breast and colorectal cancers being the most frequent in terms of incidence and mortality. Socioeconomic status is a factor that can decisively influence the main epidemiological indicators of cancer. In Spain, scientific evidence on the impact of socioeconomic inequalities in cancer is limited. Methods: We conducted an overview of systematic reviews (umbrella review) on socioeconomic inequalities in lung cancer outcomes. In addition, 3 pioneering studies were carried out in Spain on the impact of socioeconomic status on life expectancy, on lung, breast and colorectal cancer incidence, and on lung cancer mortality. To measure socioeconomic status, an area indicator was used at the census tract level. Results: The umbrella review showed that people of lower socioeconomic status have a higher risk of developing and dying from lung cancer, as well as lower survival. This can be mainly related to the type of treatments they receive, compared to patients of higher socioeconomic status. In Spain, life expectancy is higher in men and women of higher socioeconomic status, who live 3.8 and 3.2 years longer, respectively, than those of lower socioeconomic status. Furthermore, there are important socioeconomic inequalities in the incidence and mortality of lung, colorectal and breast cancers in Spain. Lower socioeconomic status was associated with higher lung cancer incidence and mortality in men. On the contrary, women of higher socioeconomic status had a higher incidence and mortality of breast and lung cancer. For colorectal cancer, a higher incidence was found among men of higher socioeconomic status. Conclusions: Socioeconomic status influences the main epidemiological indicators of lung, colorectal and breast cancer in Spain. It is necessary to investigate the underlying causes in order to implement public health policies focused on reducing these inequalities.