Social inequality and incidence of and survival from breast cancer in a population-based study in Denmark, 1994-2003.
We investigated the effects of socioeconomic, demographic and health-related indicators on the incidence of and survival from breast cancer diagnosed in 1994-2003 with follow-up through 2006 in Denmark using information from nationwide population-based registers. The analyses were based on data on 25,855 patients with breast cancer in a cohort of 3.22 million people born between 1925 and 1973 and aged >or=30 years. In general, the incidence of breast cancer increased with increasing social advantage, with unemployment or retirement, with increasing urbanicity and with being single or divorced. A history of admission for a psychiatric disorder increased the incidence of breast cancer. The overall relative short-term survival was high (96%), but survival improved with higher educational level and income. Whilst the relative 5-year survival after breast cancer was high (79%), there was significantly poorer relative survival amongst less advantaged and single women.
Carlsen
Kathrine
K
Institute of Cancer Epidemiology, Danish Cancer Society, Strandboulevarden 49, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark. kathcarl@cancer.dk
Høybye
Mette Terp
MT
Dalton
Susanne Oksbjerg
SO
Tjønneland
Anne
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003710:Demography; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D004967:Estrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis
D004967:Estrogens