In this report we summarise key metrics and data on socioeconomic deprivation and cancer, including prevention, incidence, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes.
Socioeconomic deprivation is uniquely connected to many demographic factors. It is arguably the most influential measure of inequalities in developing cancer and in cancer outcomes across the UK. However, this is just one part of the complex web of wider determinants of health and health inequalities.
The evidence contained in this report is not at an individual level, but a population level, so it is illustrative of wider challenges. This report highlights where more focus is needed to reduce inequalities by showing what we should be achieving across all population groups, not just a few.
Across the UK, people living in the most deprived areas have worse cancer experiences and outcomes than those in the least deprived areas:
Smoking rates are at least three times higher in the most deprived areas compared to the least, across all four nations of the UK. This gap has been present for many decades and is not narrowing.
Obesity rates (BMI 30+) are higher in more deprived areas. For example, in 2022 obesity rates among the most deprived were 36% compared to only 19% in the least deprived.
Bowel screening uptake is lower in the most deprived (57%) compared to the least deprived (76%) areas in England. Similar inequalities are seen in Wales and Scotland.
People living in more deprived areas are more likely to be diagnosed via emergency routes. In Northern Ireland, the proportion of cancer cases diagnosed via emergency presentation is higher for those living in the most deprived areas than the least (26% vs 21%).
The proportion of all cancer cases diagnosed at the latest stage (stage 4) is higher in the most deprived areas in England compared to the least (31% vs 24%).
Cancer incidence is higher in people living in more deprived areas in all UK nations. Many of these cases are caused by cancer risk factors like smoking and obesity. For example, in Wales, cancer incidence rates are almost 20% higher in the most deprived areas compared to the least.
Cancer survival is lower in people living in more deprived areas across many common cancer types. This is linked to later-stage diagnosis, due partly to lower uptake of screening for early diagnosis, and treatment differences. In Wales, five-year survival for cancer is lower in the most deprived areas compared to the least (52% vs 70%).
Cancer death rates are nearly 60% higher for people living in the most deprived areas of the UK compared with the least deprived. There are around 28,400 cancer deaths each year linked to socioeconomic inequality. This reflects the increased likelihood of developing cancer and lower cancer survival in more deprived areas.
We know there are strategies that we can adopt to tackle inequalities. Whether that is legislation and investment to address the wider determinants of health; actions to make services more accessible through more effective and community focused service design; or the rapid and consistent implementation of innovation and best practice.
Cancer Research UK recognises our own role in efforts to reduce health inequalities, through advocating for a more diverse and inclusive research community, investing in research to understand inequalities, collaborating with health systems and governments and wider partners to make progress. That’s why we published our Cancer and Health Inequalities Strategy to outline our commitment to ensuring no one is left behind.
National cancer plans for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all highlight action on inequalities as a priority, and early diagnosis of cancer is one of five clinical priorities in NHS England’s Core20Plus5 approach to reducing health inequalities. It will be important that tackling cancer inequalities is a focus of the upcoming National Cancer Plan for England, alongside the UK Government’s bold ambition to halve the gap in healthy life expectancy.
Though the scale of the inequalities challenge may be daunting, with concerted action, there are real opportunities for meaningful progress to reduce inequalities across the cancer pathway.
Read the report in fullThe 2025 report is our most recent report on socio-economic deprivation. You can find older editions of this report below.
Cancer in the UK: Deprivation and cancer inequalities in Scotland 2022 (PDF, 1.81 MB)
Cancer in the UK: Socio-economic deprivation 2020(PDF, 737 KB)
Produced by the Cancer Intelligence team in the Health Policy & Evidence department, Cancer Research UK, February 2026.
If you have any comments, questions or feedback, please reach out to our team.
