14.4 Small geographic area characteristics and cancer risk

Figure 14.3 Adjusted relative risks (with 95% confidence intervals) of pancreatic cancer by socio-economic characteristics of geographic area of residence: males

Males

Among men, after adjustment for age, population density and socio-economic factors, pancreatic cancer risk was lower in NI than in RoI (RR=0.85, 95%CI=0.79-0.93). Socio-economic factors accounted for only a small proportion of this difference (Figure 14.3).

Male pancreatic cancer was not associated with population density, education or the proportion of persons aged 75 and over living alone.

Unemployment was positively associated with male pancreatic cancer, with a steady increase in risk as unemployment levels in an area increased.

Figure 14.4 Adjusted relative risks (with 95% confidence intervals) of pancreatic cancer by socio-economic characteristics of geographic area of residence: females

Females

The risk of pancreatic cancer in women was 22% lower in NI than in RoI; as in men adjustment for socio-economic factors had a relatively small effect on this difference (Figure 14.4).

As with men, there was no significant variation in risk of female pancreatic cancer by population density. However, unlike men, there was no association with unemployment and a positive association with lower educational attainment.

Areas with the highest proportion of persons aged 75 and over living alone had a 16% greater risk of female pancreatic cancer than areas with the lowest proportion.