Cancer rates higher in areas of high unemployment and low education

Poorer people are up to 70% more likely to get some cancers.

A lecture being hosted by the Irish Cancer Society and the St Vincent de Paul in Dublin has heard how factors such as 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% greater risk of lung cancer than men living in areas with the highest level, while women have a 23% greater risk.

Women in areas with the lowest education levels also have a 66% greater risk of getting cervical cancer.

Head of Services with the ICS, Donal Buggy, said the social and economic factors that impact on a person's health have to be tackled.