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Rural Health Information Hub

Cancer Prevention and Treatment in Rural Areas – Resources

Selected recent or important resources focusing on Cancer Prevention and Treatment in Rural Areas.

Vital Signs: Colorectal Cancer Screening Test Use — United States, 2018
Reports on colorectal cancer screening among adults 50-75 years of age. Includes data by location of patient residence for metro and nonmetro areas, with breakdowns by age group for 50-64 and 65-75 years of age.
Author(s): Djenaba A. Joseph, Jessica B. King, Nicole F. Dowling, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(10), 253-259
Date: 03/2020
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Association of Neighborhood Measures of Social Determinants of Health With Breast, Cervical, and Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates in the US Midwest
Results of a study examining how area-level social determinants of health and rurality were associated with cancer screening practices in 75 Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic Health System practices in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin in 2016-2017. Features statistics on factors associated with 3 types of cancer screenings, with breakdowns by urban, rural, and highly rural areas.
Author(s): Shaheen S. Kurani, Rozalina G. McCoy, Michelle A. Lampman, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 3(3)
Date: 03/2020
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Rural-Urban Differences in the Association Between Individual, Facility, and Clinical Characteristics and Travel Time for Cancer Treatment
Examines the association of patient, facility, and clinical characteristics with round trip travel times for all types of cancer patients living in rural and urban areas with the objective to help providers understand which patients may be most in need of resources to assist with travel.
Author(s): Joel E. Segel, Eugene J. Lengerich
Citation: BMC Public Health, 20(1),196
Date: 02/2020
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Barriers to Palliative and Hospice Care Utilization in Older Adults with Cancer: A Systematic Review
Shares the results of a literature review analyzing various sociodemographic variables, including rural residence, to describe challenges older adults with cancer experience when accessing hospice and palliative care services.
Author(s): Jyotsana Parajuli, Aluem Tark, Ying-Ling Jao, Judith Hupcey
Citation: Journal of Geriatric Oncology, 11(1), 8-16
Date: 01/2020
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Three Large Scale Surveys Highlight the Complexity of Cervical Cancer Under-Screening Among Women 45-65 Years of Age in the United States
Examines cervical cancer screening rates based on data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the Health Center Patient Survey, and the Health Information National Trends Survey. Discusses demographics, including rural and urban location, and screening rates by age, location, education level, race and ethnicity, and insurance coverage.
Author(s): Diane M. Harper, Melissa Plegue, Kathryn M. Harmes, Masahito Jimbo, Sherri SheinfeldGorin
Citation: Preventative Medicine, 130, 105880
Date: 01/2020
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Factors Associated with Not Receiving HPV Vaccine among Adolescents by Metropolitan Statistical Area Status, United States, National Immunization Survey–Teen, 2016–2017
Examines 2016 and 2017 data from the National Immunization Survey - Teen (NIS-Teen) to better understand the sociodemographic factors for adolescents not initiating the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series, including by metropolitan statistical area (MSA) status. Table 1 shares data on several sociodemographic and healthcare access factors by MSA for teens aged 13-17 that did not receive an HPV vaccine, including age, sex, immigration status, region of the U.S., parental information, vaccination facility type, and more.
Author(s): Charnetta L. Williams, Tanja Y. Walker, Laurie D. Elam-Evans, et al.
Citation: Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 16(3), 562-572
Date: 2020
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Rural-Urban Differences in Financial Burden among Cancer Survivors: An Analysis of a Nationally Representative Survey
Analyzes 2012, 2014, and 2017 data from the National Cancer Institute's Health Information and National Trends Survey to determine differences in reported financial problems due to cancer in rural and urban populations. Table 1 provides a rural and urban comparison on several demographic and cancer characteristics, including sex, age, marital status, race and ethnicity, income, insurance status, and several factors related to cancer treatment.
Author(s): Whitney E. Zahnd, Melinda M. Davis, Jason S. Rotter, et al.
Citation: Supportive Care in Cancer, 27(12), 4779-4786
Date: 12/2019
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Mortality-to-Incidence Ratios by U.S. Congressional District: Implications for Epidemiologic, Dissemination and Implementation Research, and Public Health Policy
Analyzes congressional district-specific mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIR) between 2011 and 2015 for all cancers and for cancers of breast, cervix, colorectal, esophagus, lung, oral, pancreas, and prostate cancers. Compares MIRs across regions, state Medicaid expansion status, race, and rurality. Discusses implications for policymakers and researchers.
Author(s): Jan M. Eberth, Whitney E. Zahnd, Swann Arp Adams, et al.
Citation: Preventative Medicine, 129(S), 105849
Date: 12/2019
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Understanding Primary Care Providers' Perceptions of Cancer Prevention and Screening in a Predominantly Rural Healthcare System in the Upper Midwest
Study examining primary care provider experiences and perceptions of using electronic medical record (EMR) systems for cancer prevention. Discusses survey data from 36 primary care clinics to evaluate EMR systems as prevention tools.
Author(s): Daniel M. Saman, Kayla M. Walton, Melissa L. Harry, et al.
Citation: BMC Health Services Research, 19, 1019
Date: 12/2019
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Lung Cancer Incidence in Nonmetropolitan and Metropolitan Counties — United States, 2007–2016
Reports on lung cancer incidence rates in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties, with data by sex and by age at diagnosis. Includes data for 2007 and 2016, as well as the change in rate from 2007 to 2016. Discusses strategies to reduce exposure to lung cancer risk factors and how those strategies might be targeted to decrease disparities.
Author(s): Mary Elizabeth O'Neil, S. Jane Henley, Elizabeth A. Rohan, Taylor D. Ellington, M. Shayne Gallaway
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 68(44), 993-998
Date: 11/2019
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Last Updated: 9/30/2025