The Wealthy May Be At A Greater Risk Of Developing Cancer
Rich People May Be At A Greater Risk Of Developing Cancer, According To New Study
The ultra wealthy may be at a greater risk of developing cancer compared to people with a lower socioeconomic status (SES), according to a new study.
In June, researchers from the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland published their results following a groundbreaking study using data from approximately 280,000 individuals to explore genomics and personalized medicine among Finnish people. Participants were between the ages of 35 and 80. Their findings revealed that socioeconomic status (SES) plays a significant role in genetic susceptibility to various complex diseases. Specifically, individuals with lower SES—characterized by lower educational achievement and less prestigious occupations—are more genetically predisposed to conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lung cancer, depression, alcohol use disorder, and Type 2 diabetes.
In contrast, those with higher SES are more prone to developing cancers such as breast and prostate cancer. The study is notable for being the first to systematically evaluate gene-environment interactions (GxE) across 19 complex diseases in diverse socioeconomic groups, shedding light on how socioeconomic factors influence genetic risk profiles.
In a press release, Dr. Fiona Hagenbeek, a key researcher in the study, described their initial investigation into the link between socioeconomic status and genetic risk as a promising start. She is optimistic that the findings will assist doctors in determining the polygenic risk scores (PRS) for their patients. According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), PRS estimates an individual’s overall genetic predisposition to a particular disease by aggregating the effects of thousands of genes, each contributing a small amount to the overall risk. PRS calculates this by summing the variations across these genes, weighted by their respective impact, to create a comprehensive model of an individual’s genetic risk profile.
“Understanding that the impact of polygenic scores on disease risk is context-dependent may lead to further stratified screening protocols. For example, in the future, screening protocols for breast cancer may be adapted so that females with a high genetic risk and who are highly educated receive earlier or more frequent screening than females with lower genetic risk or less education,” said Hagenbeek.
Moving forward, researchers from the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland plan to delve deeper into how specific aspects of educational and professional achievements might uncover further details about disease risk. Hagenbeek also expressed interest in investigating whether these patterns hold true across different ancestral backgrounds and income levels, extending their research beyond the Finnish population to explore potential correlations in various global contexts.
In the U.S., individuals with higher incomes tend to live longer compared to those in lower income brackets.
A 2016 study revealed a significant link between income and life expectancy in the United States. Researchers discovered that at age 40, individuals in the top 1% income bracket live 15 years longer than those in the bottom 1% for men and 10 years longer for women.
Among those in the lowest income quartile, life expectancy at age 40 varies by about 4.5 years depending on the region. Specifically, life expectancy for low-income individuals is lowest in Nevada, Indiana, and Oklahoma, and highest in California, New York, and Vermont. Between 2001 and 2014, the disparity in life expectancy by income widened. While those in the lowest income quartile saw no change, life expectancy increased by about three years for individuals in the top quartile. This gap grew in many areas but narrowed in some, such as parts of New Jersey and Alabama, while expanding by over three years in regions like Florida.
The Intelligencer highlighted that access to high-quality healthcare plays a crucial role in extending the lives of wealthier individuals. Many affluent people seek treatment from private healthcare providers and invest in costly treatments and specialized diets, such as the paleo diet, to enhance their longevity.
In contrast, life expectancy tends to be shorter in low-income areas due to disparities in resources, income and healthcare access. Factors such as institutional racism and discrimination exacerbate these inequalities by limiting social and economic opportunities. Residents of economically disadvantaged communities often face significant barriers to accessing essential resources like stable housing, nutritious food, and safe living environments, which are vital for maintaining good health.
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