A new report finds that people who are poor, old or living in urban areas are more likely to be affected by cancer.

The study by the National Cancer Registry shows that whether a person gets and survives cancer will depend largely on their age, wealth and where they live.

It finds that cancer rates are up to 38% higher in some urban areas, when compared to rural parts of the country.

Director of the National Cancer Registry Dr Harry Comber, says the results are quite striking: “the chances of surviving cancer are considerably poorer if you live in a deprived area.

“If you look at cancer overall, it is between a 30% and 40% poorer chance of surviving,

“I suppose the other thing that is quite striking is that again for people living in more areas, their chances of having surgery for their cancer are less, for the majority of cancers.”