SOCIOECONOMIC DEPRIVATION AND HEALTH IN GLASGOW AND THE WEST OF SCOTLAND - A STUDY OF CANCER INCIDENCE AMONG MALE RESIDENTS OF HOSTELS FOR THE SINGLE HOMELESS

Study objective-To determine the incidence of cancer among homeless me n in Glasgow. Design-Descriptive study of cancer incidence in a define d, though individually unidentifiable, population cohort. Setting-Glas gow and the West of Scotland Region. Participants-Male residents of 10 hostels for the single homeless in Glasgow, open for all or part of t he period 1975-93. Estimated total man-years of risk 21 820. Main resu lts-After adjusting for age and socioeconomic deprivation, the proport ional incidence ratio (PIR) of tumours of the oral cavity and pharynx in hostel residents was over twice what would be expected in the male population as a whole (PIR 2.37, 95% CI 1.41, 4.00). Cancers of the oe sophagus and larynx were also overrepresented (PIR 1.63 and 1.74 respe ctively). Estimated age standardised incidence ratios were greater tha n would be expected for the most socioeconomically deprived areas of t he west of Scotland for tumours of the oral cavity and pharynx, larynx , oesophagus, and lung (2.39, 1.87, 1.61, and 1.23 respectively). Conc lusions-The incidence of many cancers is known to be higher in lower s ocioeconomic groups. Within the lowest deprivation category, there is evidence from this study for a further excess risk among homeless men for cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx, oesophagus, larynx, and lu ng. Improvements in general health care are urgently needed for this p articularly vulnerable section of the population.