Does socioeconomic status change cancer survival?

In Norwegian women, lower education and income predicted worse cancer survival until stage and smoking were accounted for.

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What overall SES–survival pattern was found?

A negative socioeconomic gradient in cancer survival.

Which behaviour strongly predicted survival?

Smoking status prior to diagnosis.

How was SES measured?

Years of education or gross household income.

What happened after adjusting for stage and smoking?

Survival differences by education and income turned non-significant.

Which cohort was analysed?

The Norwegian Women and Cancer (NOWAC) Study.

Was stage a consistent explanation of SES gaps?

No—the contribution of stage at diagnosis was inconsistent.

What residual claim follows full adjustment?

Little significant variation remained for potential treatment differences.

What primary outcome is studied?

Cancer survival.

What does SES abbreviate?

Socioeconomic status.

What clinical burden factor appears in descriptive analyses?

Comorbidity prior to diagnosis.

Why adjust for smoking when studying SES survival?

Smoking is SES-patterned and prognostic, so it can confound crude gradients.