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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Cancer

The Lived Experiences and Unmet Needs of Prostate and Colorectal Male Cancer Survivors in Rural Virginia: A Qualitative Study
Analyzes unmet needs and lived experiences of 24 male cancer survivors living in rural Virginia. Utilizes focus group feedback to discuss themes such as coping with health problems, quality of and access to healthcare, navigating survivorship, and cancer prevention advocacy.
Author(s): Fariha Tariq, Alexander R. Lucas, Sherrick Hill, Malik Philips, Vanessa B. Sheppard
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2)
Date: 2025
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Travel Burden and Bypassing Closest Site for Surgical Cancer Treatment for Urban and Rural Oncology Patients
Examines travel burden to surgical cancer care and its relationship to rurality, bypassing of the nearest surgical site, and mortality rates. Analyzes 2016-218 data of 211,025 Medicare beneficiaries with cancer and includes breakdowns for type of cancer, surgery versus no surgery, patient demographics, patient health conditions, travel time, mortality rates, and location of metro, micro, or small town/rural.
Author(s): Tracy Onega, Niveditta Ramkumar, Gabriel A. Brooks, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2)
Date: 2025
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Trends in and Factors Associated with Family Physician-Performed Screening Colonoscopies in the United States: 2016-2021
Examines factors and trends related to family physician (FP)-performed colonoscopy screenings. Analyzes 2016-2021 insurance claims data from 2,943,900 qualified colonoscopies, with data breakdowns according to patient demographics, accrued charges, region, and urban-rural classification, including large central metro, large fringe metro, medium metro, small metro, micropolitan, and noncore. Discusses the impact of FP-performed colonoscopy screenings for certain populations, including rural.
Author(s): Nicholas Edwardson, David van der Goes, V. Shane Pankratz, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(1)
Date: 2025
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Barriers to Participation in Clinical Trials of Rural Older Adult Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Study
Explores barriers to clinical trial participation for older cancer survivors living in rural areas. Utilizes semi-structured interviews to discuss challenges such as lack of transportation, limited communication with providers, age, and more.
Author(s): Evelyn Arana-Chicas, Laura M. Hincapie Prisco, Saloni Sharma, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(1), e12852
Date: 2025
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South Dakota Department of Health 2024 Annual Report
Describes activities and accomplishments of the South Dakota Department of Health in 2024. Includes sections on public health preparedness and response, rural health, emergency medical services, health information technology, family and community health, and licensure and accreditation.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: South Dakota Department of Health
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Cervical Cancer Incidence and Trends among Women Aged 15-29 Years by County-Level Economic Status and Rurality - United States, 2007-2020
Examines economic and geographic variations and trends in cervical cancer incidence, utilizing US Cancer Statistics data for women aged 15-29 during 2007-2020. Data on disparities in incidence by county-level economic status by rurality, among other demographic factors.
Author(s): Radhika Agarwal, Jessica B. King, Sameer V. Gopalani, Virginia Senkomago
Citation: Cancer Epidemiology, 94, 102730
Date: 12/2024
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Closing the Distance: A Qualitative Study to Identify Equitable Innovations for Rural Thyroid Cancer Treatment
Examines differences in thyroid cancer care between rural and urban communities. Utilizes interview feedback from rural surgeons from various states that cover issues such as training, access to medical specialties, telemedicine opportunities, and collaboration with colleagues.
Author(s): Hattie H. Huston-Paterson, Yifan V. Mao, Elena G. Hughes, et al.
Citation: The American Surgeon, 91(4)
Date: 12/2024
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Arizona State Health Assessment, 2024
Reports on the health of people in Arizona, including population subgroups, social determinants of health, and priority health issues. Discusses health and access disparities in rural, tribal, and border areas. Includes county-level data.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: Arizona Department of Health Services
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Rural Versus Urban Genitourinary Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Pennsylvania: 1990–2019
Analyzes genitourinary (GU) cancer incidence and mortality in rural and urban Pennsylvania counties. Utilizes 1990-2019 Pennsylvania Cancer Registry data, examining rural and urban changes in GU cancer over time, with data breakdowns for prostate, bladder, and kidney cancers.
Author(s): Jonathan Pham, Ahmad N. Alzubaidi, Jay D. Raman, Tullika Garg
Citation: Current Oncology, 31(12), 8110-8117
Date: 12/2024
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A Community-Engaged, Mixed-Methods Approach to Prioritizing Needs in a Statewide Assessment of Community Cancer Needs
Discusses a community needs assessment (CNA) in Kentucky that addresses cancer incidence and mortality in the state. Reports on feedback from 162 people and presents a concept map focused on health behaviors, education, access, cultural beliefs, and risk factors, including those specific to rural and Appalachian areas.
Author(s): Jessica R. Thompson, Todd Burus, Caree McAfee, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 21
Date: 12/2024
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