Cancer survival and social class in Sweden

Abstract

A study of 98000 cases in the Swedish Cancer Registry from 1961 to 1979 was undertaken. The relative survival by social class was calculated. There was a higher survival probability for white collar workers than for blue collar workers or self-employed farmers for all cancer, as well as for particular cancers, such as, for instance, cancer of the breast and cervix among women and cancer of the rectum among men. For lung cancer, cancer of the stomach, and pancreatic cancer there were no detectable differences in survival probability. The findings can be considered in the light of various possible explanations, for instance, early detection, differential treatment, and host factors.