Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Cancer
Differential Effects of Social Determinants on Cancer Survival by Age at Diagnosis: A Population-Based Study in Alabama
Examines whether the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) on cancer survival differs by age at diagnosis. Utilizes 2010-2019 Alabama Statewide Cancer Registry data on adults diagnosed with breast, prostate, colorectal, or lung cancers and analyzes survival rate alongside social vulnerability, rurality, and insurance status.
Author(s): Mackenzie E. Fowler, Geetanjali Saini, Elizabeth Baker, Mahak Bhargava, Ritu Aneja
Citation: Journal of Geriatric Oncology, 17(8), 103094
Date: 11/2026
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Examines whether the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) on cancer survival differs by age at diagnosis. Utilizes 2010-2019 Alabama Statewide Cancer Registry data on adults diagnosed with breast, prostate, colorectal, or lung cancers and analyzes survival rate alongside social vulnerability, rurality, and insurance status.
Author(s): Mackenzie E. Fowler, Geetanjali Saini, Elizabeth Baker, Mahak Bhargava, Ritu Aneja
Citation: Journal of Geriatric Oncology, 17(8), 103094
Date: 11/2026
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Disparities in Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Rural Versus Urban Michigan
Compares rural and urban cancer incidence and cancer-specific mortality in Michigan, using 2017-2021 data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Includes breakdowns by cancer type for 10 leading cancers, as well as incidence by Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) stage for colorectal, female breast, lung and bronchus, and prostate cancer.
Author(s): Reba Dhillon, Stephanie Mackenzie, Austin H. Qasawa, et al.
Citation: Cancer Medicine, 15(11), e72396
Date: 10/2026
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Compares rural and urban cancer incidence and cancer-specific mortality in Michigan, using 2017-2021 data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Includes breakdowns by cancer type for 10 leading cancers, as well as incidence by Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) stage for colorectal, female breast, lung and bronchus, and prostate cancer.
Author(s): Reba Dhillon, Stephanie Mackenzie, Austin H. Qasawa, et al.
Citation: Cancer Medicine, 15(11), e72396
Date: 10/2026
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Rural Skin Cancer Patients Tend to 'Slip Through the Cracks.' These Programs Are Trying to Change That
Provides a brief overview of barriers to accessing dermatology healthcare services and highlights programs to improve dermatology care in rural areas. Features a mobile unit offering skin cancer screenings and other dermatology services in rural areas of California, Idaho, Illinois, Oregon, and Utah; a rural dermatology residency training track in Mississippi; and a Wisconsin program that provides dermatology training for rural primary care providers, equipping them with the hands-on skills to provide basic care when access to a specialist is limited.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Provides a brief overview of barriers to accessing dermatology healthcare services and highlights programs to improve dermatology care in rural areas. Features a mobile unit offering skin cancer screenings and other dermatology services in rural areas of California, Idaho, Illinois, Oregon, and Utah; a rural dermatology residency training track in Mississippi; and a Wisconsin program that provides dermatology training for rural primary care providers, equipping them with the hands-on skills to provide basic care when access to a specialist is limited.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Patient-Provider Distance in Medicare Outpatient Oncology Telehealth Versus Office Visits, 2021‐2023: Cross-Sectional Claims Analysis
Presents a study exploring the use of telehealth to extend the patient-provider geographic reach for outpatient oncology-related visits in patients aged 66 or older. Draws data from Medicare Fee-For-Service claims to compare patient-provider distance for in-office and telehealth oncology visits, by rurality and U.S. Census region.
Author(s): Lingbo Liu, Tracy Onega, Erika L. Moen, et al.
Citation: JMIR Medical Informatics, 14, e95370
Date: 10/2026
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Presents a study exploring the use of telehealth to extend the patient-provider geographic reach for outpatient oncology-related visits in patients aged 66 or older. Draws data from Medicare Fee-For-Service claims to compare patient-provider distance for in-office and telehealth oncology visits, by rurality and U.S. Census region.
Author(s): Lingbo Liu, Tracy Onega, Erika L. Moen, et al.
Citation: JMIR Medical Informatics, 14, e95370
Date: 10/2026
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Physical Activity and Perceptions of the Community Walking Environment Among Cancer Survivors, National Health Interview Survey, 2024
Examines how physical activity among cancer survivors differs by clinical and demographic characteristics and by perceptions of the local walking environment, using 2024 National Health Interview Survey data. See Table 2 for data on leisure-time physical activity among cancer survivors by rurality, among other factors.
Author(s): Jonathan Bryant-Genevier, Michael Boring, Elizabeth A. Rohan, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23, 260220
Date: 10/2026
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Examines how physical activity among cancer survivors differs by clinical and demographic characteristics and by perceptions of the local walking environment, using 2024 National Health Interview Survey data. See Table 2 for data on leisure-time physical activity among cancer survivors by rurality, among other factors.
Author(s): Jonathan Bryant-Genevier, Michael Boring, Elizabeth A. Rohan, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23, 260220
Date: 10/2026
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Women's Health in Pennsylvania
Provides information on demographic makeup of Pennsylvania women as of 2025. Includes statistics on number of births in Pennsylvania from 1990-2025 and number of breast cancer diagnoses in 2023, with breakdowns by urban and rural areas. Also features a county-level map with fertility rates from 2021-2025.
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Provides information on demographic makeup of Pennsylvania women as of 2025. Includes statistics on number of births in Pennsylvania from 1990-2025 and number of breast cancer diagnoses in 2023, with breakdowns by urban and rural areas. Also features a county-level map with fertility rates from 2021-2025.
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Clinician Discussion of Family Cancer Risk and Use of Genetic Testing Among US Adults With a Family History of Cancer
Examines clinician-patient discussion of family cancer risks and use of genetic testing among U.S. adults with a family history of cancer. Utilizes 2023 National Health Interview Survey data from 9,476 respondents to explore clinician discussion of cancer risk, with breakdowns according to demographics, access to care, rural residence, and receipt of genetic testing.
Author(s): Abe E. Sahmoun
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23
Date: 10/2026
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Examines clinician-patient discussion of family cancer risks and use of genetic testing among U.S. adults with a family history of cancer. Utilizes 2023 National Health Interview Survey data from 9,476 respondents to explore clinician discussion of cancer risk, with breakdowns according to demographics, access to care, rural residence, and receipt of genetic testing.
Author(s): Abe E. Sahmoun
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23
Date: 10/2026
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Geographic Disparities and Temporal Trends in Aggressive Prostate Cancer: A SEER Population-Based Analysis (2004–2022)
Analyzes how the incidence of all prostate cancer and aggressive or metastatic prostate cancer varies by Appalachian or non-Appalachian area, rural or urban dwelling, and race and ethnicity, using 2004-2022 SEER data of 951,965 cases of prostate cancer among men aged 40 years and older.
Author(s): Yifei Xu, Ayush Singh, Eric Li, et al.
Citation: Cancer Causes & Control, 37, 181
Date: 10/2026
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Analyzes how the incidence of all prostate cancer and aggressive or metastatic prostate cancer varies by Appalachian or non-Appalachian area, rural or urban dwelling, and race and ethnicity, using 2004-2022 SEER data of 951,965 cases of prostate cancer among men aged 40 years and older.
Author(s): Yifei Xu, Ayush Singh, Eric Li, et al.
Citation: Cancer Causes & Control, 37, 181
Date: 10/2026
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Cannabis Use and Perceptions among Rural and Urban Cancer Patients and Survivors from a Pennsylvania Cancer Center
Explores how perceptions of cannabis use vary among 186 rural and urban or suburban cancer patients who received treatment from Penn State Cancer Institute between June 2023 and June 2024. Compares openness to use, perceived benefits and risks, and more.
Author(s): Jeremy Ireland, Leah Holben, Cheryl L. Thompson, et al.
Citation: Supportive Care in Cancer, 34, 1074
Date: 10/2026
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Explores how perceptions of cannabis use vary among 186 rural and urban or suburban cancer patients who received treatment from Penn State Cancer Institute between June 2023 and June 2024. Compares openness to use, perceived benefits and risks, and more.
Author(s): Jeremy Ireland, Leah Holben, Cheryl L. Thompson, et al.
Citation: Supportive Care in Cancer, 34, 1074
Date: 10/2026
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Digital Breast Tomosynthesis Use, Facility Mammography Volume, and Timely Follow-Up After Abnormal Screening Mammograms in Appalachia, United States
Explores the effect of facility-level characteristics, such as rural versus urban location, and digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) use on post-screening follow-up times in rural versus urban areas in Appalachia. Breaks down data by facility volume and individual patient characteristics that are associated with follow-up delay.
Author(s): Silas Selorm Daniels-Donkor, Fabian T. Camacho, Gloribel Bonilla, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(4), e70229
Date: 10/2026
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Explores the effect of facility-level characteristics, such as rural versus urban location, and digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) use on post-screening follow-up times in rural versus urban areas in Appalachia. Breaks down data by facility volume and individual patient characteristics that are associated with follow-up delay.
Author(s): Silas Selorm Daniels-Donkor, Fabian T. Camacho, Gloribel Bonilla, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(4), e70229
Date: 10/2026
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