18.4 Small geographic area characteristics and cancer risk

Figure 18.3 Adjusted relative risks (with 95% confidence intervals) of brain and other central nervous system cancer by socio-economic characteristics of geographic area of residence: males

Males

The risk of brain and CNS cancer among men in NI was 10% lower than in RoI, with adjustments for differences in socio-economic characteristics and population density having minimal effect on this difference (Figure 18.3).

Male brain and CNS cancer was not associated with either population density or the socio-economic characteristics of the area of residence.

Figure 18.4 Adjusted relative risks (with 95% confidence intervals) of brain and other central nervous system cancer by socio-economic characteristics of geographic area of residence: females

Females

The difference in brain and CNS cancer risk between NI and RoI was greater for women than men (RR=0.80, 95%CI=0.73-0.88; Figure 18.4). As with men, adjustment for socio-economic characteristics and population density had minimal effect on this difference.

The risk of female brain and CNS cancer was weakly associated with population density, with women living in the most densely populated areas having a 13% greater risk than those in the least densely populated areas.

Female brain and CNS cancer was not associated with the socio-economic characteristics of the area of residence.