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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Cancer

Policy Recommendations for Improving Rural Cancer Services in the United States
Discusses cancer healthcare access for rural residents and factors in access challenges. Discusses rural physician recruitment, facility closures, reimbursement, data gathering, and graduate medical education. Offers policy recommendations for incentivizing and increasing the rural cancer care workforce as well as gathering cancer-related data.
Author(s): Adrienne B. Lent, Daniel Derksen, Elizabeth T. Jacobs, Leila Barraza, Elizabeth A. Calhoun
Citation: JCO Oncology Practice, 19(5), 288-294
Date: 05/2023
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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cancer Patients in Western Pennsylvania: Rural–Urban Disparities
Examines the impact of COVID-19 and related concerns on cancer patients in rural and urban areas of Pennsylvania. Analyzes a sample of 1,980 patient surveys from August-December 2020 and March 2021 by patient perception of pandemic-related distress, cancer care, COVID-19 impact on personal health, and more. Includes rural versus urban data on COVID-19 concerns related to cancer care as well as demographic breakdowns.
Author(s): Kathryn Demanelis, Margaret Rosenzweig, Linda B. Robertson, et al.
Citation: Cancer Causes Control, 34(7), 595-609
Date: 05/2023
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Cancer Survival in the United States 2007–2016: Results from the National Program of Cancer Registries
Examines one-year and five-year cancer survival rates by metropolitan and non-metropolitan county, further broken down by sex, race/ethnicity, age, and cancer type. Utilizes 2007-2016 Center for Disease Control (CDC) National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR) survival data to discuss cancer survival health disparities.
Author(s): Taylor D. Ellington, S. Jane Henley, Reda J. Wilson, et al.
Citation: PLoS One, 18(5)
Date: 05/2023
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Rural-Urban Disparities in Preventive Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women With Early-Onset Dementia
Results of a study examining the differences in use of preventive cancer screenings between patients with or without early-onset Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), and comparing use of the screenings in rural versus urban areas. Features statistics on rates of preventive Pap smears and mammograms, with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Author(s): Wendy Y. Xu1, Eli Raver, Jeah Jung, et al.
Citation: BMC Women's Health, 23, 255
Date: 05/2023
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Cervical Cancer in Arkansas Update
Offers surveillance data for cervical cancer in Arkansas. Discusses risk factors, screening recommendations, mortality, vaccination, and Arkansas-specific trends over time. Includes county-level data and rural and urban comparisons.
Author(s): Daniela Ramirez Aguilar
Date: 04/2023
Sponsoring organization: Arkansas Department of Health
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Effect of Rurality and Travel Distance on Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy for Unilateral Breast Cancer
Analyzes the relationship between travel time and rurality for breast cancer patients seeking contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM). Utilizes 2007-2017 National Cancer Database data to examine demographic factors, patient rurality, surgery characteristics, and more.
Author(s): Madison M. Wahlen, Ingrid M. Lizarraga, Amanda R. Kahl, et al.
Citation: Cancer Causes & Control, 34, 171-186
Date: 04/2023
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Comparative Effectiveness of 2 Interventions to Increase Breast, Cervical, and Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Women in the Rural US: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Evaluated the effectiveness of remote interventions compared to the standard care protocols for cancer screenings in 963 Indiana and Ohio women between 50 and 74 years old. Discusses cost-effectiveness compared to increased screening odds and the impact on health outcomes, particularly mortality.
Author(s): Victoria L. Champion, Electra D. Paskett, Timothy E. Stump, Erika B. Biederman, Eric Vachon, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 6(4)
Date: 04/2023
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Influences on Lung Cancer Screening Initiation and Retention in Rural Alabama
Examines the facilitators of lung cancer screening initiation and retention in mostly Black and rural areas of Alabama. Provides feedback from 58 interviews with people who had a lung cancer screening between December 2019 and January 2022. Includes data on patient demographics, reasons for being screened, and intention to screen annually.
Author(s): Amy Copeland, Kathy Levy, Claudia M. Hardy, Jennifer C. King, Maureen Rigney
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 14
Date: 04/2023
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Geographic Diffusion of Digital Mammography in the United States
Examines the geographic availability of digital mammography facilities from 2001 to 2014 in the contiguous United States, utilizing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) facility licensing and American Community Survey demographic data. Compares availability of digital and film mammography by race, ethnicity, and level of rurality.
Author(s): Daniel Wiese, Antoinette M. Stroup, Farhad Islami, et al.
Citation: Cancer, 129(14), 2144-2151
Date: 03/2023
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The Interaction of Rurality and Rare Cancers for Travel Time to Cancer Care
Explores the connection between rurality and travel time to receive treatment for rare cancers. Breaks down data by patient characteristics, such as age and rurality, among other measures. Compares rare cancers with common cancers and by treatment type.
Author(s): Tracy Onega, Jennifer Alford-Teaster, Chris Leggett, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 39(2), 426-433
Date: 03/2023
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