STUDY FINDS WEALTHY PEOPLE AT HIGHER RISK OF CANCER COMPARED TO OTHERS

Matt Case - June 11th, 2024 - 9:17am PDT 

Rich People Face Higher Genetic Cancer Risk Compared to the Poor, Study Reveals

HELSINKI — New research conducted at the University of Helsinki indicates that wealthy individuals are genetically predisposed to a higher risk of certain cancers compared to their less affluent counterparts.

The study, led by Dr. Annelot Hagenbeek, examined the relationship between socio-economic status (SES) and the genetic predisposition to various diseases among 280,000 Finns aged 35 to 80. According to the findings, individuals with elevated SES have a higher genetic risk for cancers such as breast and prostate cancer. Conversely, those with lower SES are more genetically susceptible to conditions like diabetes, arthritis, depression, alcoholism, and lung cancer.

“This study underscores that genetic risk prediction should not be considered one-size-fits-all,” said Dr. Hagenbeek. “Incorporating socio-economic context into genetic risk models is crucial for advancing personalized medicine.”

Previous research has hinted at disparities in genetic disease risks across different socio-economic groups, but this study is notable for examining the genetic correlation across 19 diseases commonly found in high-income countries.

The findings will be presented at the European Society of Human Genetics' annual conference in Berlin. Professor Alexandre Reymond of the University of Lausanne praised the study, highlighting its potential impact on the future of personalized healthcare.