Cervical cancer poverty link

Doctors point to the importance of regular tests

Women from poor backgrounds are three times more likely to contract cervical cancer than those from affluent homes, according to a report.

A study by researchers at Glasgow University indicates that unhealthy diets and smoking are partly to blame.

The research, published in the British Journal of Cancer, also suggested that poorer women are less likely to survive.

The report says it is vital for women to have regular smear tests.

Smoking is partly to blame

There are 300 new cases of cancer of the cervix every year in Scotland.

The researchers found that it is three times more common in poor women than in the more affluent.

The government-funded study says this is probably because poorer women tend to eat less fruit and vegetables, and are more likely to smoke.

The researchers also found that women from less affluent backgrounds suffered from a more aggressive form of cancer.

Vitamins' role

It is less easy to treat, meaning the women are less likely to survive.

The researchers say that vitamins in fruit and vegetables mop up harmful and potentially cancer-causing chemicals.

Smoking reduces the levels of beta carotene which prevents a virus present in many women from growing into cancer cells.

Fresh vegetables are a rich source of vitamins

Professor David Hole, one of the report's authors, said: "Certainly the role of vitamins and beta carotene, which are the substances we get from fresh fruit and vegetables, might be quite important in controlling the rate at which these tumours grow."

Last week, Scotland's chief medical officer, Professor Sir David Carter, called on the Scottish Executive to do more to reduce the connection between poverty and ill-health.

Tackling that, he said, would make a significant impact on Scotland's overall health record.

Sir David was publishing his final report on the state of the nation's health before he retires in October.