Surg J R Coll Surg E
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Surg J R Coll Surg E · Apr 2019
Inequalities in health? An update on the effect of social deprivation for patients with breast cancer in South East Wales.
Breast cancer, historically a disease of more affluent women, has increased in incidence for women from areas of greater social deprivation, yet prognosis is worse for these women. This study identifies differences in presentation, treatment and prognostic factors between the socioeconomic groups. ⋯ There is a trend of reduced early detection of breast cancer in South East Wales in those patients living in areas of higher social deprivation. Given that there is equity in access to treatment within NHS, which is free for patients at the point of care, further study is warranted to address this existing disparity. Population cancer surveillance will need to inform both public health and NHS service responses, to continue to achieve improvements. Health trends may yet alter depending on current and future shifts in governmental health policy.