Despite decreases in cancer death rates nationwide, a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows slower reduction in cancer death rates in rural America (a decrease of 1.0% per year) compared with urban America (a decrease of 1.6% per year), according to data published by Henley et al in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The report is the first complete description of cancer incidence and mortality in rural and urban America.
Researchers found that rates of new cases for lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and cervical cancer were higher in rural America. In contrast, rural areas were found to have lower rates of new cancers of the female breast and prostate. Rural counties had higher death rates from lung, colorectal, prostate, and cervical cancers.
“While geography alone can’t predict your risk of cancer, it can impact prevention, diagnosis. and treatment opportunities—and that’s a significant public health problem in the United States,” said CDC Acting Director Anne Schuchat, MD. “Many cancer cases and deaths are preventable and with targeted public health efforts and interventions, we can close the growing cancer gap between rural and urban Americans.”
Study Findings
In the study, researchers analyzed cancer incidence data from CDC’s National Program of Cancer Registries and the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program. Cancer deaths were calculated from CDC’s National Vital Statistics System. Counties were grouped by urbanization and population size.
Key findings from analysis of cancer rates were:
“Cancer—its causes, its prevention, and its treatment—is complicated,” said Lisa C. Richardson, MD, oncologist and Director of CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control. “When I treat cancer patients, I don’t do it alone—other health-care professionals and family members help the patient during and after treatment. The same is true for community-level preventive interventions. Partnerships are key to reducing cancer incidence and the associated disparities.”
Strategies to Lessen the Difference
The CDC researchers identify a number of proven strategies that can reduce the gaps in new cancer cases and deaths. Health-care providers in rural areas can:
For more information on rural health, visit www.cdc.gov/ruralhealth.
The content in this post has not been reviewed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Inc. (ASCO®) and does not necessarily reflect the ideas and opinions of ASCO®.