9.4 Small geographic area characteristics and cancer risk

Figure 9.3 Adjusted relative risks (with 95% confidence intervals) of stomach cancer by socio-economic characteristics of geographic area of residence: males

Males

Differences in male stomach cancer risk between RoI and NI were not statistically significant, either when adjusted for age, or when adjusted for age, population density and socio-economic factors (Figure 9.3).

Male stomach cancer risk varied by area-based characteristics. Men resident in areas with 1-15 p/ha had a 15% greater risk of stomach cancer than those resident in the least densely populated areas, while those resident in the most densely populated areas had a 36% greater risk.

Stomach cancer risk increased as the proportion of unemployed in an area increased. The same pattern was seen for educational attainment; people living in areas with low levels of educational attainment had the greatest risk of stomach cancer.

There was no consistent association of risk with the percentage of people aged 75 and over living alone.

Figure 9.4 Adjusted relative risks (with 95% confidence intervals) of stomach cancer by socio-economic characteristics of geographic area of residence: females

Females

The pattern for women was very similar to that for men (Figure 9.4). There was no significant difference between countries, but stomach cancer risk increased with increasing levels of unemployment, lower educational attainment and population density.

The relationship between female stomach cancer risk and areas where there were higher levels of elderly people living alone was stronger than that for men. Compared to areas with low levels of elderly people living alone, the relative risk of stomach cancer in areas with the highest proportion of elderly people living alone was 1.26 (95%CI=1.11-1.43). Quintiles 3 and 4 also had similar levels of increased risk.