13.4 Small geographic area characteristics and cancer risk

Figure 13.3 Adjusted relative risks (with 95% confidence intervals) of leukaemia by socio-economic characteristics of geographic area of residence: males

Males

Leukaemia risk among men was 23% lower in NI than RoI during 1995-2007 (Figure 13.3). Adjustments for different area-based characteristics in each country increased this difference slightly to 25%.

There was no association between male leukaemia risk and population density, unemployment or education. Risk increased with an increasing proportion of elderly people in the area living alone. The difference in risk between areas with the least and greatest proportion of elderly people living alone was 17%.

Figure 13.4 Adjusted relative risks (with 95% confidence intervals) of leukaemia by socio-economic characteristics of geographic area of residence: females

Females

Leukaemia risk for women was lower in NI than RoI, by 21% after adjustments for population density and socio-economic factors (Figure 13.4).

As for men, there was no association between female leukaemia risk and population density, unemployment or education. The risk of female leukaemia was 14% greater in areas with the greatest proportion of elderly people living alone, compared to areas with the smallest proportion.