Overview

Abstract (English)

Background Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal cancers to affect Canadians. While research globally shows associations between socioeconomic status and pancreatic cancer burden, no studies have yet been conducted to demonstrate this in a pan-Canadian context. This study aimed to evaluate socioeconomic inequalities in pancreatic cancer incidence in Canada (excluding territories) for the years 1992–2010. Methods We utilized pancreatic cancer incidence data from the Canadian Cancer Registry (CCR) linked to socioeconomic data from the Canadian Census of Population (CCP) and the National Household Survey (NHS). We used the concentration index (C) approach and trend analysis to quantify and evaluate trends in income- and education-related inequalities in pancreatic cancer incidence in Canada. Results Our results show that crude pancreatic cancer incidence increased significantly in Canada between 1992 and 2010. We found significant income- and education-related inequalities in pancreatic cancer incidence during the study period. The consistently negative age-standardized C demonstrates that pancreatic cancer burden was more concentrated in lower-socioeconomic populations. A small positive trend in the value of the age-standardized C demonstrates reductions in income- and education-related inequalities in pancreatic cancer incidence over time. Conclusions We found significant income- and education-related inequalities in pancreatic cancer incidence, with disease being more concentrated in low-socioeconomic populations. The concentration of pancreatic cancer incidence among lower-socioeconomic status Canadians warrants further attention.

Abstract (French)

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