Rural Disparities in Cancer Care: A Review of Its Implications and Possible Interventions

Cancer care has greatly improved in the last few decades, as evidenced by a 22% decline in the overall cancer-related death rate in the United States since 1991. However, the question presents itself whether rural residents, for whom the latest advancements are not as accessible, are also realizing...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inWest Virginia medical journal Vol. 112; no. 3; p. 76
Main Authors Singh, Raj, Goebel, Lynne J
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.05.2016
Subjects
Appalachian Region - epidemiology
Clinical Trials as Topic
Healthcare Disparities
Humans
Incidence
Neoplasms - epidemiology
Neoplasms - mortality
Neoplasms - therapy
Physicians - supply & distribution
Rural Health
Telemedicine
United States
West Virginia - epidemiology
West Virginia
United States
Appalachian Region
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Summary:Cancer care has greatly improved in the last few decades, as evidenced by a 22% decline in the overall cancer-related death rate in the United States since 1991. However, the question presents itself whether rural residents, for whom the latest advancements are not as accessible, are also realizing these benefits as much as their urban counterparts. The aim of this study is to provide a review of the literature regarding the disparities in cancer care facing rural Appalachia and specifically West Virginia (WV) as well as possible solutions towards bridging this gap. We find that WV has a higher cancer incidence and mortality rate with fewer oncologists per resident, while rural areas in general have lower clinical trial participation and different treatment regimens. Though programs have been put in place such as mobile mammography clinics and local outreach, more work can be done in WV in the realms of teleoncology, virtual tumor boards, patient support groups, and physician training programs.
ISSN:0043-3284