An umbrella review of socioeconomic status and cancer

Abstract

Extensive evidence underscores the pivotal role of socioeconomic status (SES) in shaping cancer-related outcomes. However, synthesizing definitive and actionable insights from the expansive body of literature remains a significant challenge. To elucidate the associations between SES, cancer outcomes, and the overall cancer burden, we conducted a comprehensive burden estimation coupled with an umbrella review of relevant meta-analyses. Our findings reveal that robust or highly suggestive meta-analytic evidence supports only a limited number of these associations. Individuals with lower SES, compared to those with higher SES, are disproportionately disadvantaged by reduced access to immunotherapy, KRAS testing for colorectal cancer, targeted cancer therapies, and precision treatments for melanoma. Additionally, they exhibit lower rates of breast cancer screening and higher incidence rates of lung cancer. Furthermore, countries with a higher Human Development Index demonstrate a substantially greater burden related cancer incidence, with this disparity being more pronounced among men than women.