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Wealthy and low-income individuals are susceptible to different types of cancer
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
In their latest research, scientists have concluded that a person's income level determines the type of cancer that can develop.
Scientists have noticed that certain types of cancer are often found in certain social classes. As experts note, wealthy people are more likely to develop melanoma, testicular cancer, thyroid cancer, while people with average and low incomes are more likely to have cancerous tumors in the liver, cervix, larynx, and penis.
At the same time, scientists consider it interesting that among people with average and low incomes, although malignant tumors are less common, the mortality rate from various types of cancer in this category of citizens is significantly higher.
During the research, different areas of the United States by standard of living were studied, and as experts noted, data from more than 2/5 of the American population was studied. As a result, it turned out that over 4 years (from 2005 to 2009), approximately three million cases of cancer development were recorded. Scientists determined that some types of cancer, such as penile cancer, Kaposi's sarcoma, cervical cancer, etc. were more common among residents of poor areas, while testicular and thyroid cancer, skin cancer, are more often diagnosed among the wealthy population.
As noted by oncology specialist Francis Bosco, this study will help citizens with middle and low incomes to take better care of their health and undergo regular check-ups.
Earlier studies have shown that women with higher incomes are more likely to develop melanoma. In the United States, the vast majority of melanoma deaths occur among whites. Experts have found that young, wealthy women have a higher risk of developing malignant melanoma. In another study, experts found that malignant breast and skin tumors are more common among middle-income residents than among wealthier citizens.
Scientists also warn that women who prioritise their careers and postpone having children indefinitely expose themselves to greater risks, in part because they can afford to be exposed to the sun more often and for longer periods.
It is also worth noting that the study was conducted in the United States, where there is no free health care system, so for low-income groups, treatment of malignant tumors is too expensive, and often insurance holders cover part of the costs of long-term treatment themselves. Most likely, it is for this reason that mortality among the middle- and low-income population in America is more common.
In addition, there are other reasons that determine the development of cancerous tumors. First of all, it is worth noting the lifestyle of people. Wealthy people can afford to vacation at resorts more often (and therefore spend more time in the sun), which leads to the development of melanoma. Among the low-income strata of the population, liver and larynx cancer are more common, which is provoked by smoking and alcohol abuse.