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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Cancer

Rural-Urban Disparities in Cardiovascular and Other Competing Risk of Death among Cancer Patients
Examines rural versus urban disparities in cardiovascular (CVD) death among cancer patients. Utilizes 1990-2017 data from 2,022,482 cancer patients and provides data breakdowns according to mortality, rural versus urban location, and cause of death. Discusses non-cancer and CVD death burden in cancer patients living in rural areas.
Author(s): Tianwang Guan, Jiaqi He, Liangjia Zeng, et al.
Citation: Journal of Advanced Research, 85, 725-736
Date: 07/2026
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Distance to Care, Regional Context, and Survival in Early‐Onset Colorectal Cancer
Examines the impact of rurality and traveling for care on early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) survival. Utilizes 2010-2022 National Cancer Database data to analyze 404,440 individuals for EOCRC compared to average-onset colorectal cancer (AOCRC), with additional breakdowns according to distance traveled for care, CRC type, rural versus urban location, survival, and undergoing surgery.
Author(s): Sara Myers, Elizabeth S. Davis, Sing Chau Ng, et al.
Citation: Journal of Surgical Oncology, 134(3), 403-412
Date: 06/2026
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The Need for Community-Based Multimodal Screening for Chronic Disease and Cancer in Rural Kansas
Discusses how the development of community-based, multimodal screening infrastructure can address the high prevalence of cancer and other chronic diseases in rural Kansas by improving access to preventive services and effectively addressing clustered chronic health conditions.
Author(s): Jordan A. Neely, Jerah R. Schmidt, Elham S. Ziaei, et al.
Citation: International Journal of General Medicine, 19, 613943
Date: 06/2026
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Evaluating Underrepresentation in Cancer Clinical Trial Enrollment Across Three National Cancer Institute–Designated Cancer Centers: A Retrospective Demographic Study
Analyzes how the enrollment in cancer clinical trials varies demographically and geographically across three Comprehensive Cancer Centers (Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, Yale Cancer Center). Provides data on rural enrollment by center.
Author(s): Guannan Gong, Jessica Liu, Mahanaz Syed, et al.
Citation: JCO Oncology Advances, 3(2), e2500159
Date: 06/2026
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Rural–Urban Variation in Guideline-Concordant Management of Early-Stage Kidney, Prostate, and Testicular Cancer in the United States (2010–2022)
Examines how receipt of guideline-concordant management of early-stage kidney, prostate, and testicular cancers varied among rural and urban populations, using 2010-2022 SEER data.
Author(s): Canan D. Dirican, Samer Jumean, Anas Al Mardini, Michael Maroules
Citation: Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations, 44(6), 189-196
Date: 06/2026
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A National Virtual Peer Support Group for Women Veterans Living with Breast Cancer: Lessons from the Field
Discusses implementation and findings from a Veterans Health Administration virtual peer support specialist-led support group for women veterans with breast cancer. Discusses experiences of rural program participants.
Author(s): Jenny K. Cohen, Kara Zamora-Rogoski, Caitlin L. McLean, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(6), 817
Date: 06/2026
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Reporting of Rurality, Deprivation, and Socioeconomic Characteristics in Cancer Clinical Trials A Systematic Review
Examines the frequency in which geographic, socioeconomic, and demographic characteristics are reported in oncology clinical trial publications. Analyzes 441 randomized clinical trial primary reports for reporting of core demographic characteristics, education, insurance status, deprivation index, income, and rurality. Discusses the importance of cancer research that features sociodemographic and geographic breakdowns of data.
Author(s): Joseph M. Unger
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(6), e2619836
Date: 06/2026
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Reasons for Uninsurance among Rural Working-Age U.S. Adults with Histories of Cancer
Analyzes reasons for uninsurance among uninsured, rural-dwelling people with and without a history of cancer, using 2020-2024 National Health Interview Survey data of 1,930 adults aged 18-64. Compares reasons related to cost, eligibility, ability to meet patient needs, and other factors by cancer history and sociodemographic group.
Author(s): Ingrid Jacobson, Wade Swenson, Emily McGovern
Citation: Discover Public Health, 23, 997
Date: 06/2026
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Timely Adjuvant Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer: Barriers and Facilitators in Rural Care
Examines initiation delays of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) following surgery in rural patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Utilizes qualitative data from patients, caregivers, and staff at 2 rural New England cancer center clinics and discusses barriers and facilitators of PORT, such as communication, caregiver support, healthcare access, leveraging rural resources and culture, and more.
Author(s): Garrett T. Wasp, Shahed Khudaier, Olivia Siroonian, et al.
Citation: JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, 152(6), 569-577
Date: 06/2026
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Highlights from 2026 U.S. Cancer Statistics
Highlights age-adjusted data on cancer incidence using U.S. Cancer Statistics data. Includes rural-urban comparisons, including rural and urban cancer incidence breakdowns by demographic group.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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