Socioeconomic factors in head and neck cancer

To evaluate the impact of socioeconomic status on the incidence of head and neck cancer using a population-based survey.

We employed pooled individual-level data from the US National Institutes of Health Survey for the years 1997 to 2006 inclusive. We performed a logistic regression analysis for four variables of socioeconomic status (marital status, family income, highest level of education achieved, immigration status) and four potential confounding variables (age, race, smoking status, alcohol consumption). The effects of these socioeconomic variables on head and neck cancer were compared with their effects on cancers overall.

There was a statistically significant increase in head and neck cancer incidence for adult men with the following characteristics: status as single, never married and education less than high school completion. There was a trend toward higher rates of head and neck cancer with annual family income < $20,000 US. No such associations were seen for cancer in general.

There is evidence to support the contention that individuals with more disadvantaged socioeconomic status have higher rates of developing head and neck cancer, even after controlling for associated health behaviours such as smoking and alcohol consumption. This work suggests that further study into the effects of socioeconomic deprivation and head and neck cancer is warranted.