Social Disparities in Survival from Breast Cancer in Europe

Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the main cause of death from cancer among women in Europe and worldwide. The third cycle of the CONCORD programme found wide global differences in five-year net survival for women with breast cancer, both between countries and over time. Survival from breast cancer is higher for more affluent women than more deprived women. Patient and tumour characteristics, factors related to the healthcare system and to the wider social environment may explain some of these socioeconomic differences.