Cancer mortality and some socio economic correlates in Rosario, Argentina

The age-standardized mortality rates by sex for cancer of all sites and some specific sites were calculated in the 22 areas of Rosario (Argentina). The rates by area were correlated with education, occupation, housing quality and population density, applying Kendall's tau. Cervical cancer rates showed the strongest correlations, which were positive with illiteracy, unqualified occupations and poor housing. These variables presented positive correlations with stomach cancer also, which were more significant in males than in females. Colon and breast cancer rates had positive correlations with the highest levels of education, occupational status, housing conditions and population density.