Rural disparities in cancer screening: Development of a systems-based, cost-effective approach for improvement
1
Olympic Medical Center, Port Angeles, United States
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1173
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Rural communities have disproportionately lower cancer screening rates compared to urban areas due to a combination of socioeconomic, structural, cultural, and access-related barriers, including those related to income, education, insurance, logistics, and healthcare infrastructure. These disparities have been shown to result in delayed diagnoses and higher cancer mortality rates in rural populations, as highlighted from population data on breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer. This work thus sought to present a multi-step, evidence-centered synopsis of the core issues surrounding rural disparities in cancer screening with the goal of developing systems-level interventions that could ameliorate inequities in increasingly resource-constrained environments.
METHODS:
This study was designed based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) statement. A literature search of peer-reviewed publications was undertaken to identify studies pertaining to cancer screening disparities in rural populations, particularly focused on breast, lung, colorectal, and prostate cancer. Articles published from January 2013 to January 2023 were included. The PCC framework (population, concept, and context) was utilized as a guide to construct clear and meaningful objectives and eligibility criteria for this review and to identify works that could be used to construct the core framework for presentation. For the purpose of thematic development, basic qualitative content analysis using a descriptive approach to analysis and involving a process of open coding to allocate concepts or characteristics into overall categories was conducted.
RESULTS:
A total of 30 original articles were identified and differed broadly in their design, methods, and endpoints. Using the PCC approach, the works could be categorized into 3 distinct themes focused on systems-based initiatives, community engagement, and programmatic efforts to promote education and awareness.
CONCLUSIONS:
A multistep framework centered on organizational leadership, community outreach, and education was developed to promote cancer screening in rural communities. The clinical implications are discussed.
Rural communities have disproportionately lower cancer screening rates compared to urban areas due to a combination of socioeconomic, structural, cultural, and access-related barriers, including those related to income, education, insurance, logistics, and healthcare infrastructure. These disparities have been shown to result in delayed diagnoses and higher cancer mortality rates in rural populations, as highlighted from population data on breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer. This work thus sought to present a multi-step, evidence-centered synopsis of the core issues surrounding rural disparities in cancer screening with the goal of developing systems-level interventions that could ameliorate inequities in increasingly resource-constrained environments.
METHODS:
This study was designed based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) statement. A literature search of peer-reviewed publications was undertaken to identify studies pertaining to cancer screening disparities in rural populations, particularly focused on breast, lung, colorectal, and prostate cancer. Articles published from January 2013 to January 2023 were included. The PCC framework (population, concept, and context) was utilized as a guide to construct clear and meaningful objectives and eligibility criteria for this review and to identify works that could be used to construct the core framework for presentation. For the purpose of thematic development, basic qualitative content analysis using a descriptive approach to analysis and involving a process of open coding to allocate concepts or characteristics into overall categories was conducted.
RESULTS:
A total of 30 original articles were identified and differed broadly in their design, methods, and endpoints. Using the PCC approach, the works could be categorized into 3 distinct themes focused on systems-based initiatives, community engagement, and programmatic efforts to promote education and awareness.
CONCLUSIONS:
A multistep framework centered on organizational leadership, community outreach, and education was developed to promote cancer screening in rural communities. The clinical implications are discussed.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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