The US has the largest number of incarcerated people in the world. A new study shows unusually high cancer rates in the population group. It appears that 30% of incarcerated adults die due to cancer. In addition, they are more likely to develop gastrointestinal cancer than other population groups. Thus, researchers propose that incarcerated adults should have better access to cancer screening for early detection of the condition. Those who have been to prison must also be aware of higher cancer risk.
The US has the largest number of people in prison at any given time, with more than 2 million detainees. It means that there are several million individuals who have spent at least some time in confinement. Not all of them are for serious crimes. However, studies suggest that the risk of certain health conditions is higher in those who have spent some time in prison, including complex regional pain syndrome and chronic pain.
Considering that these numbers are massive, it is vital to understand the risk of various health conditions in this population group. Regretfully, it is also among the most neglected population groups. However, now a new study shows that incarcerated people are at a significantly greater risk of dying due to cancer than people who were never imprisoned. It is worth understanding that cancer is, in fact, the leading cause of death in those who have spent time in prison. Studies suggest that almost 30% of all deaths in incarcerated people occur due to cancer, numbers much higher than the general population.
The problem is that incarcerated people are more likely to die due to cancer, even when they are outside prison. To confirm this fact, researchers analyzed data from the cancer registry. First, they analyzed all cancer cases from 2005 to 2016. They found that cancer prevalence was almost 50% higher in the population group, and they were almost twice as likely to die from invasive cancer as other people. Generally, people do not consider this population group at greater cancer risk. Instead, people believe that incarcerated individuals are perhaps at a greater risk of infections, substance abuse, and thus metabolic disorders, and other health conditions. However, it appears that even some time in prison considerably increases cancer risk.
There might be many reasons for such an increase in cancer risk and poor survivability. It could be due to high stress, inadequate medical care, dietary issues, etc. Confinement also means less mobility and poor access to certain comforts. Studies also show that the cancer pattern differs in incarcerated people. They are more likely to develop cancer of the gastrointestinal system, followed by lung, prostate, leukemia, and lymphoma.
Some things are pretty easy to understand. In prison, there is no access to high-quality medical care. It means poor treatment of chronic health conditions. It also implies a delay in the diagnosis of cancer and other health conditions. Additionally, incarcerated people may not get proper treatment and palliative care, which may explain much higher cancer mortality in the population group.
The truth is that researchers still do not fully understand why incarcerated people have higher cancer rates. Therefore, researchers say that their study also shows the importance of creating transition centers for incarcerated individuals. This will help reduce certain barriers associated with an early cancer diagnosis. It will also ensure better primary care, food security, and employment. This will also ensure better reintegration into society.
Researchers suggest that cancer screening must be part of primary care for people recently released from detention centers. These findings are especially important for policymakers who need to carry out some significant changes in the prison systems, as cancer is now the leading cause of disease and mortality in the population group.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if you get cancer in prison?
Too often, it is found late and treated poorly. Prisons lack access to high-quality medical care, so chronic conditions go undertreated and cancer diagnoses are delayed. Incarcerated people may also miss proper cancer treatment and palliative care. Put together, those gaps help explain why cancer kills this population at a much higher rate than it kills people who were never imprisoned.
What is the leading cause of death among people who have been in prison?
Cancer. It is the leading cause of death in people who have spent time in prison, accounting for almost 30% of all deaths in incarcerated people, a share much higher than in the general population. Many people assume infections, substance abuse or metabolic disorders are the bigger threat to this group. Cancer is the one that kills most often.
Which cancers are most common in incarcerated people?
Cancers of the gastrointestinal system lead, followed by lung cancer, prostate cancer, leukemia and lymphoma. That pattern differs from the general population, and it matters for screening: a doctor caring for someone with a history of incarceration should know which cancers to look for first.
Does the higher cancer risk continue after release from prison?
Yes. Incarcerated people are more likely to die of cancer even when they are outside prison. Registry data on cancer cases from 2005 to 2016 showed cancer prevalence almost 50% higher in this group and nearly twice the risk of dying from invasive cancer. Researchers want cancer screening built into primary care for people recently released, plus transition centers that remove barriers to early diagnosis.
Why are incarcerated people at higher risk of cancer?
Researchers do not fully know yet. Likely drivers include high stress, inadequate medical care, poor diet, and less mobility during confinement, along with delayed diagnosis once cancer starts. Even a limited time in prison appears to raise cancer risk considerably, which is why anyone who has been incarcerated should know about the higher risk and ask about screening.
Dr. Gurpreet Singh Padda, MD, MBA, MHP
