Changes in Socioeconomic Inequalities in Cancer Mortality Rates Among French Men Between 1968 and 1996

OBJECTIVES: We investigated changes in socioeconomic inequalities in cancer mortality rates among men in France between 1968 and 1996. METHODS: We used a representative sample of 1% of the French population and studied 4 periods (1968-1974, 1975-1981, 1982-1988, and 1990-1996). Causes of death were obtained by direct linkage with the French national death registry. The socioeconomic position of men aged 35 to 59 years was measured by using the occupational class reported at the time of the census at the beginning of each period. Analyses were conducted for all cancers and specifically for lung, upper aerodigestive tract, esophageal, colorectal, and other cancers. RESULTS: In all analyses, we observed socioeconomic inequalities during the 4 periods considered; the inequalities increased between the first and the last period. Most of the total increase occurred between 1968 and 1981, and inequalities remained stable thereafter. Inequalities were larger when men out of the labor force were included in the analysis. The strongest increase in socioeconomic inequalities over time was observed for upper aerodigestive tract cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Although cancer mortality rates have decreased, substantial socioeconomic inequalities in cancer mortality among men remain.