Cancer
Research Products & Journal Articles
Browse the full list of research publications on this topic completed by the Rural Health Research Centers.
Products – Freely accessible products include policy briefs, fact sheets, full reports, chartbooks, and interactive data websites.
Journal Articles – Articles in peer-reviewed journals may require a subscription or affiliation with a subscribing library. For these publications, Gateway lists the article citation, a brief summary, a link to additional information and access to the full-text of the article, if available.
2024
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Cervical Cancer Screening Rates Among Rural and Urban Females, From 2019 to 2022
Journal Article
Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
Date: 06/2024
This study examines the receipt of a Papanicolaou test in the past year among U.S. females overall and females residing in rural and urban areas in 2019, 2020, and 2022, using the Health Information National Trends Survey.
2023
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Colorectal Cancer Screening in Rural and Urban Primary Care Practices Amid Implementation of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act
Journal Article
Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
Date: 06/2023
This study examined whether colorectal cancer screening rates improved among rural and urban primary care practices amid implementation of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act. Researchers tested for rural/urban differences and changes in screening rates between 2016 and 2020. -
The COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Independent and Provider-Based Rural Health Clinics' Operations and Cancer Prevention and Screening Provision in the United States
Journal Article
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 03/2023
The provision of Rural Health Clinic (RHC) cancer prevention and screening services was examined to identify any changes pre- and peri-pandemic. The research examined overall provision of cancer prevention and screening services by RHCs and the provision of these services by independent RHCs and by provider-based RHCs .
2022
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Availability of Hospital-Based Cancer Services Before and After Rural Hospital Closure, 2008-2017
Journal Article
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 09/2022
Using American Hospital Association survey data from 2008 to 2017, the changes in access to cancer-related screening and treatment services were examined to determine the impact of hospital closures across hospital service areas.
2021
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The Association of Rurality and Breast Cancer Stage at Diagnosis: A National Study of the SEER Cancer Registry
Policy Brief
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 10/2021
Patients from rural areas have lower breast cancer screening rates and poorer cancer outcomes than urban patients and received initial breast cancer diagnosis at a later stage compared with urban patients. Being uninsured was also associated with late stage at diagnosis. Patterns have persisted and suggest areas for policy change. -
Trends in Cancer Treatment Service Availability Across Critical Access Hospitals and Prospective Payment System Hospitals
Journal Article
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 08/2021
This study investigated trends in cancer services availability in urban and rural Prospective Payment System (PPS) hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Compared with all PPS hospitals, CAHs offered fewer cancer treatment services and experienced a decline in service capability over time. -
Trends in Spatial Access to Colonoscopy in South Carolina, 2000-2014
Journal Article
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 06/2021
This study looks at the availability of colonoscopy screenings in South Carolina between 2000 and 2014 with a focus on changes in spatial access for these preventive services. -
Disparities in Meeting USPSTF Breast, Cervical, and Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines Among Women in the United States
Journal Article
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 04/2021
The US Preventive Services Task Force provides recommendations for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening. This manuscript examines the sociodemographic characteristics associated with women meeting these recommendations.
2020
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Spatial Access to Vaccines for Children Providers in South Carolina: Implications for HPV Vaccination
Journal Article
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 12/2020
In South Carolina, rural children ages 13 to 17 years old have lower rates of HPV vaccination initiation. To better understand potential drivers of this rural-urban disparity, this study's objective was to examine spatial access to Vaccines For Children-enrolled clinics across rural and urban areas of the state. -
Cervical Cancer Treatment Initiation and Survival: The Role of Residential Proximity to Cancer Care
Journal Article
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 10/2020
This study looked at the role drive time to cancer care facilities played on cancer treatment initiation and survival for cervical cancer patients. -
Expanding Access to HPV Vaccination in South Carolina Through Community Pharmacies: A Geospatial Analysis
Journal Article
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 06/2020
Human papillomavirus (HPV) rates are higher in rural areas. The uptake of HPV vaccination is lower among rural populations. Pharmacies may be ideal for improving vaccination access. Does spatial access to pharmacies among adolescents and young adults in South Carolina vary by rurality and geographic access to primary care providers? -
A Bivariate Mapping Tutorial for Cancer Control Resource Allocation Decisions and Interventions
Journal Article
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 01/2020
This study demonstrates how geographic information systems software, specifically ArcGIS, can be used to develop bivariate choropleth maps to inform resource allocation and public health interventions.
2019
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Rural-Urban Differences in Financial Burden Among Cancer Survivors: An Analysis of a Nationally Representative Survey
Journal Article
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 12/2019
Rural cancer survivors may disproportionately experience financial problems due to their cancer because of greater travel costs, higher uninsured/underinsured rates, and other factors. Our objective was to examine rural-urban differences in reported financial problems due to cancer using a nationally representative survey. -
Financial Hardship Among Rural Cancer Survivors: An Analysis of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey
Journal Article
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 11/2019
This study examined contrasts in financial hardship among 1,419 rural and urban cancer survivors using the 2011 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey supplement the Effects of Cancer and Its Treatment on Finances. -
Geographic Disparities in Residential Proximity to Colorectal and Cervical Cancer Care Providers
Journal Article
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 11/2019
Persistent rural‐urban disparities for colorectal and cervical cancers raise concerns regarding access to treatment providers. To the authors knowledge, little is known regarding rural‐urban differences in residential proximity to cancer specialists. -
Multilevel Analysis in Rural Cancer Control: A Conceptual Framework and Methodological Implications
Journal Article
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 09/2019
Our objective was two-fold: 1) to develop a multilevel conceptual framework describing how rural residence and relevant micro, macro, and supra-macro factors can be considered in evaluating disparities across the cancer control continuum and 2) to outline the unique considerations of multilevel statistical modeling in rural cancer research. -
Challenges of Using Nationally Representative, Population-Based Surveys to Assess Rural Cancer Disparities
Journal Article
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 08/2019
Population-based surveys provide important information about cancer-related health behaviors across the cancer care continuum. However, due to small rural sample sizes, varying sampling methods, and/or other study design or analytical concerns, there are challenges in using population-based surveys for rural cancer control research and practice. -
Investigating the Impact of Geographic Location on Colorectal Cancer Stage at Diagnosis: A National Study of the SEER Cancer Registry
Journal Article
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 08/2019
Access to recommended cancer screening is more difficult for rural than urban residents. As a result, rural patients may present at later stages than urban patients due to delays in detection. This study compared the adjusted rates of and late colorectal cancer staging at diagnosis between patients residing in urban and rural counties.
2017
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Who Performs Colonoscopy? Workforce Trends Over Space and Time
Journal Article
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 11/2017
Using data from South Carolina from 2001-2010, this study looked at changes in the types of facilities doing colonoscopies as well as the any changes in who is performing them.
2014
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Do Rural Patients With Early-Stage Prostate Cancer Gain Access to All Treatment Choices? (Final Report)
Report
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 02/2014
This report compares rates of receipt of prostate cancer treatments and of the treatment options between early-stage prostate cancer patients living in urban and four levels of rural counties.
2013
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Rural Population Estimates: An Analysis of a Large Secondary Data Set
Journal Article
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 2013
Examines in the underrepresentation of rural counties in large secondary data sources, specifically the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).
2012
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Receipt of Recommended Radiation Therapy Among Rural and Urban Cancer Patients (Summary)
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 10/2012
This study examines whether rural patients with cancer are less likely than their urban counterparts to receive recommended radiation therapy. The study also identifies factors influencing rural versus urban differences in radiation therapy receipt.
2011
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A Rural Socioeconomic Vulnerability and Resiliency Index and Associated Health Outcomes
Policy Brief
West Virginia Rural Health Research Center
Date: 07/2011
These analyses provide evidence to support the development of programs and policies that foster educational development, and economic diversity and vitality, as means of public health improvement, especially in rural areas in selected regions of the country.
2010
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Pollution Sources and Mortality Rates across Rural-Urban Areas in the United States
Policy Brief
West Virginia Rural Health Research Center
Date: 02/2010
Rural counties contain more than 65,000 EPA-recognized point pollution sources. A greater density of water and air pollution sources in rural counties is associated with higher cancer mortality rates, adjusting for other risks. Rural areas also experience mortality risks in association with coal mining activity. -
Pollution Sources and Mortality Rates across Rural-Urban Areas in the United States (Final Report)
West Virginia Rural Health Research Center
Date: 02/2010
Rural counties contain more than 65,000 EPA-recognized point pollution sources. A greater density of water and air pollution sources in rural counties is associated with higher cancer mortality rates, adjusting for other risks. Rural areas also experience mortality risks in association with coal mining activity.
2008
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Trends in Cervical and Breast Cancer Screening Practices Among Women in Rural and Urban Areas of the United States
Policy Brief
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 08/2008
This policy brief documents the receipt of timely breast and cervical cancer screening using a rural-urban classification system and nationally representative data. -
Trends in Cervical and Breast Cancer Screening Practices Among Women in Rural and Urban Areas of the United States (Final Report)
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 08/2008
This policy brief reports on trends in breast cancer screening practices. Participation in mammography improved nationally, but women living in rural locations remained less likely to receive the test than those living in urban settings. -
Access to Cancer Services for Rural Colorectal Cancer Patients
Journal Article
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 2008
Includes findings from a study to determine how far rural and urban colorectal cancer (CRC) patients travel to three types of specialty cancer care services-surgery, medical oncology consultation, and radiation oncology consultation.
2007
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Access to Cancer Services for Rural Colorectal Cancer Patients (Project Summary)
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 10/2007
This summary provides a brief overview of findings from a study to determine how far rural and urban colorectal cancer patients travel to three types of specialty cancer care services: surgery, medical oncology consultation, and radiation oncology consultation.