British Bangladeshi Men have the Highest Rates of Lung Cancer

A study has found that British Bangladeshi men have the highest rates of lung cancer in England, followed by White, Chinese and Caribbean men.

The findings come from an analysis of health records for 17.5 million people and 84,000 lung cancer cases conducted by Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences.

Lung cancer is a leading cause of death around the world, and Britain is no exception.

Lung cancer is the deadliest common cancer in the UK, accounting for more than 35,000 deaths each year.

The research ranged from 2005 to 2019 and highlighted the role of genetic predisposition, social class, and lifestyle in shaping cancer outcomes.

It was found that people from the most deprived areas developed the disease at twice the rate of those from affluent areas.

There were 215 cases per 100,000 people among men in the poorest areas. In stark contrast, there were 94 cases in the most affluent areas.

For women, rates in the most deprived areas were at 147 per 100,000, compared with 62 in the least deprived.

Dr Daniel Tzu-Hsuan Chen, the lead author of the research, stressed that the study challenges traditional assumptions about smoking being the sole factor in lung cancer:

“For the first time, we can see clear patterns in how lung cancer affects different communities across England.

“This isn’t just about smoking – our research shows that ethnic background and social circumstances play crucial roles in both cancer risk and how the disease develops.”

The study also revealed that individuals from deprived areas are 35% more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive forms of lung cancer.

Professor Julia Hippisley-Cox, a senior author of the study, said:

“We need to ensure our cancer services are reaching all communities effectively and that everyone has the same opportunity for early diagnosis, regardless of their background or where they live.

“But tackling these disparities isn’t just about lung cancer.”

“When we address these fundamental inequalities in healthcare access and social deprivation, we can improve health outcomes across many conditions.

“This research helps make the case for wider action on health inequalities.”

It was also found that women and individuals of Indian, Caribbean, Black African, Chinese, and other Asian descent are twice as likely to receive a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma is one of the most common forms of lung cancer.

Men and smokers were more prone to late-stage diagnoses compared to women and non-smokers, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

The study coincides with England’s nationwide rollout of a targeted lung health check programme, aiming to screen 40% of eligible individuals by March 2025 and achieve full coverage by 2030.