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Urban-Rural Disparity of Breast Cancer and Socioeconomic Risk Factors in China

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  • Xufeng Fei
  • Jiaping Wu
  • Zhe Kong
  • George Christakos

Abstract

Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide. The primary aim of this work is the study of breast cancer disparity among Chinese women in urban vs. rural regions and its associations with socioeconomic factors. Data on breast cancer incidence were obtained from the Chinese cancer registry annual report (2005–2009). The ten socioeconomic factors considered in this study were obtained from the national population 2000 census and the Chinese city/county statistical yearbooks. Student’s T test was used to assess disparities of female breast cancer and socioeconomic factors in urban vs. rural regions. Pearson correlation and ordinary least squares (OLS) models were employed to analyze the relationships between socioeconomic factors and cancer incidence. It was found that the breast cancer incidence was significantly higher in urban than in rural regions. Moreover, in urban regions, breast cancer incidence remained relatively stable, whereas in rural regions it displayed an annual percentage change (APC) of 8.55. Among the various socioeconomic factors considered, breast cancer incidence exhibited higher positive correlations with population density, percentage of non-agriculture population, and second industry output. On the other hand, the incidence was negatively correlated with the percentage of population employed in primary industry. Overall, it was observed that higher socioeconomic status would lead to a higher breast cancer incidence in China. When studying breast cancer etiology, special attention should be paid to environmental pollutants, especially endocrine disruptors produced during industrial activities. Lastly, the present work’s findings strongly recommend giving high priority to the development of a systematic nationwide breast cancer screening program for women in China; with sufficient participation, mammography screening can considerably reduce mortality among women.

Suggested Citation

  • Xufeng Fei & Jiaping Wu & Zhe Kong & George Christakos, 2015. "Urban-Rural Disparity of Breast Cancer and Socioeconomic Risk Factors in China," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(2), pages 1-15, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0117572
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117572
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christakos, George & Lai, Jaim-Jou, 1997. "A study of the breast cancer dynamics in North Carolina," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 45(10), pages 1503-1517, November.
    2. Zahra Cheraghi & Jalal Poorolajal & Tahereh Hashem & Nader Esmailnasab & Amin Doosti Irani, 2012. "Effect of Body Mass Index on Breast Cancer during Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Periods: A Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(12), pages 1-9, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yang Zhao & Lin Zhang & Yu Fu & Minyu Wang & Luwen Zhang, 2020. "Socioeconomic Disparities in Cancer Treatment, Service Utilization and Catastrophic Health Expenditure in China: A Cross-Sectional Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-13, February.
    2. Ronit Pinchas-Mizrachi & Judith Jacobson Liptz & Beth G. Zalcman & Anat Romem, 2022. "Disparities in Breast Cancer Mortality Rates in Israel among Urban and Rural Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-12, November.
    3. Xufeng Fei & Zhaohan Lou & George Christakos & Qingmin Liu & Yanjun Ren & Jiaping Wu, 2016. "A Geographic Analysis about the Spatiotemporal Pattern of Breast Cancer in Hangzhou from 2008 to 2012," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(1), pages 1-13, January.
    4. Changfa Xia & Clare Kahn & Jinfeng Wang & Yilan Liao & Wanqing Chen & Xue Qin Yu, 2016. "Temporal Trends in Geographical Variation in Breast Cancer Mortality in China, 1973–2005: An Analysis of Nationwide Surveys on Cause of Death," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-16, September.

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