Cancer and poverty: breaking the cycle.

Poverty contributes to an increase in cancer incidence and mortality. The economically disadvantaged have a higher incidence for several cancers and lower survival rates for all cancer sites combined. A number of factors are responsible for the increased mortality and morbidity from cancer among the poor and include lack of employment, lack of education, inadequate housing, lack of access to medical care, chronic malnutrition, and a fatalistic attitude. Successful strategies must be taken to reverse these trends.