Occupations and socioeconomic position

In NOCCA, occupational titles can be analysed as detailed occupational categories, but they can also be recoded into broader socioeconomic position (SEP) groups. This makes it possible to study both specific occupations and broader social patterns in cancer incidence. The SEP recoding groups occupations into larger categories such as professionals, administrative and clerical workers, sales and service workers, agricultural workers, transport and production workers, and economically inactive groups, depending on the chosen classification framework.

Why recode occupations into SEP?

  • To reduce a large number of occupational categories into broader analytical groups
  • To study social inequalities in cancer risk
  • To compare patterns across countries more easily
  • To present results in a simpler and more policy-relevant way

How the recoding works

  • Each occupational category is assigned to a broader SEP group
  • The recoding is based on the social and functional characteristics of the occupation
  • This allows both occupation-specific and SEP-based analyses from the same underlying data
  • The approach is useful for both descriptive and comparative studies

Analytical possibilities

  • Compare detailed occupations within the same SEP group
  • Compare SEP gradients across cancer sites
  • Study whether occupational differences remain after broader SEP grouping
  • Assess how occupational and social patterns overlap

Available stratified results

  • All results are available by 4 calendar periods
  • All results are also available by 3 age groups
  • This allows analysis of temporal trends and age-specific patterns
  • The same structure can be applied to both occupation-based and SEP-based results

Use of SEP recoding in NOCCA analyses

Recoding occupations into SEP provides a complementary perspective to the original occupational classification. Detailed occupational analyses are useful for identifying specific high-risk occupations, while SEP-based analyses are useful for showing broader gradients and inequalities. Together, these two approaches strengthen interpretation and help distinguish between occupation-specific patterns and more general social differences.

Results by period and age

A particular strength of the NOCCA results is that they are not limited to overall estimates. We have all results presented by 4 periods and by 3 age groups, making it possible to examine how patterns change over time and whether associations differ by age. This applies both to the original occupational groups and to analyses based on recoded SEP categories.

How the data can be used

1

Start with occupations

Analyse detailed occupational groups to identify specific patterns of cancer incidence.

2

Recode to SEP

Collapse occupations into broader socioeconomic groups for a more structural perspective.

3

Stratify results

Review findings by 4 periods and 3 age groups to assess time trends and age differences.

4

Interpret jointly

Combine occupation-based and SEP-based results for a fuller understanding of cancer inequalities.

Summary

NOCCA occupations can be analysed in their original detailed form or recoded into broader SEP categories. This makes the data useful both for occupation-specific cancer research and for studies of socioeconomic inequalities. In addition, all results are available by 4 periods and 3 age groups, allowing detailed analyses of temporal and age-related variation.

NOCCA data can be used both for detailed occupational analyses and for broader socioeconomic analyses based on recoded SEP groups.