How many deaths would be avoidable if socioeconomic inequalities in cancer survival in England were eliminated? A national population-based study, 1996-2006

The downward trend in the annual number of avoidable deaths reflects more an improvement in survival in England overall, rather than a narrowing of the deficit in cancer survival between poor and rich. The lack of any substantial change in the percentage of avoidable excess deaths highlights the persistent nature of the deficit in survival between affluent and deprived groups.