Cancer death rates are almost 60% higher for people living in the most deprived areas of the UK, according to new analysis from Cancer Research UK.
The leading cancer charity found that people from poorer areas are being diagnosed too late.
They are also more likely to smoke, be obese, and are less likely to take part in cancer screening programmes, the report suggests.
The research shows that around 28,400 cancer deaths each year are linked with deprivation – and almost half (47%) are due to lung cancer.
Dr Ian Walker, executive director of policy and information at Cancer Research UK, said: “These figures are shocking and unacceptable – but crucially, they’re avoidable.
“Beating cancer must mean beating it for everybody”, he said.
“No one should be at a greater risk of dying from this devastating disease simply because of where they live.”
Dr Walker added: “People from more deprived areas are being diagnosed too late.”
Improving NHS access he said – through “funding and innovation” – is “vital” to level out the playing field.
The proportion of people who smoke cigarettes – the single biggest risk factor of lung cancer – in deprived areas is 22%, compared with just 6% in better-off areas, according to the analysis.
Meanwhile, the proportion of obese adults in poorer areas is 36% – compared to 19% in wealthier areas.
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There is also less uptake for screenings in poorer locations, according to Cancer Research UK – evidenced in part by bowel programmes.
These screenings encourage patients to collect stool samples at home and to post them for testing.
It found 57% of patients in deprived areas conducted the tests – compared to 76% in richer areas.
The report also states people in poorer areas are more likely to be diagnosed later, and have to wait longer for treatment.
The key, according to the charity’s inequalities lead Karis Betts, is prevention.
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“To tackle cancer inequalities, our health services need to work together with communities themselves – to prevent the causes of cancer and spot the disease earlier.
“We also need new and better ways to diagnose cancer at an early stage, like targeted lung screening, which is proven to help save lives in at-risk communities.”
She added: “It’s vital that this is fully rolled out across England, followed by all four UK nations.”
