Who are the cancer survivors? A nationwide study in Denmark, 1943-2010

Br J Cancer. 2015 Apr 28;112(9):1549-53. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2015.68. Epub 2015 Feb 26.

Abstract

Background: No nationwide studies on social position and prevalence of comorbidity among cancer survivors exist.

Methods: We performed a nationwide prevalence study defining persons diagnosed with cancer 1943-2010 and alive on the census date 1 January 2011 as cancer survivors. Comorbidity was compared by social position with the non-cancer population.

Results: Cancer survivors composed 4% of the Danish population. Somatic comorbidity was more likely among survivors (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.57-1.60) and associated with higher age, male sex, short education, and living alone among survivors.

Conclusions: Among cancer survivors, comorbidity is common and highly associated with social position.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Comorbidity
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Denmark / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Neoplasms / mortality*
  • Prevalence
  • Prognosis
  • Registries
  • Risk Factors
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Survival Rate
  • Survivors / statistics & numerical data*
  • Time Factors
  • Young Adult