A new Center for Disease Control report suggests while the number of cancer-related deaths has decreased, the number of cancer-related deaths in rural areas is higher compared to urban.
The number of cancer-related deaths in rural America dropped one-percent per year, while the number of cancer-related deaths in urban America dropped one-point-six-percent per year, according to the Center for Disease Control?s (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly report, published Thursday.
Dr. Lisa Richardson is the Director of Cancer Prevention and Control at the Center for Disease Control (CDC). She finds the new data concerning.
?It appears that deaths in rural America are equal for breast cancer, but higher for cervical cancer for women in rural America. That?s a concern because we know that cervical cancer is completely preventable, if we do the screening test and treat those things that may become cancerous if not treated,? Richardson said.
Key findings:
- Death rates were higher in rural areas (180 deaths per 100,000 persons) compared with urban areas (158 deaths per 100,000 persons). Cancer deaths in rural areas decreased at a slower pace, increasing the differences between rural and urban area.
- While overall cancer incidence rates were somewhat lower in rural areas (442 cases per 100,000 persons) than in urban areas (457 cases per 100,000 persons), incidence rates were higher in rural areas for several cancers, including those related to tobacco use such as lung cancer and those that can be prevented by cancer screening such as colorectal and cervical cancers.
- While rural areas have lower incidence of cancer than urban areas, they have higher cancer death rates. The differences in death rates between rural and urban areas are increasing over time.
Researchers found higher rates of new cases for lung, colorectal and cervical cancers in rural America. However, researchers found lower rates of new cancers of the female breast and prostate. Despite the rates of new cases, researchers found increased death rates from lung, colorectal, prostate and cervical cancers in rural America.
Richardson said the slower reduction in cancer deaths in rural America is the result of fewer treatment options.
?We know that there are fewer medical facilities and doctors in rural areas. It?s very difficult to get care, if those who provide the care aren?t there. (For) treatment, if the providers are lower, the treatment might be as well,? Richardson said.
Other correlations include: rural populations tend to be older with other medical conditions, limiting the ability to properly execute cancer control, as well as elevated risk factors such as smoking. In efforts to reduce the gaps in new cancer cases and deaths, the CDC plans to implement additional cancer services in rural America.
?I think that?s what we?re really about, if people have access to the services they need then they have a decision. Without access, there is no decision that can be made,? Richardson said.
The CDC will also try to promote healthy lifestyles, in an attempt to reduce the gaps in new cancer cases and deaths.
?Cancer screening for lung cancer is a really hot topic right now. The best treatment for that is to never get it. (We?re) trying to get people to stop smoking, and young people to never start smoking. That is the number one risk factor for cancer and cancer deaths,? Richardson said.
The report is part of a series of MMWR studies on rural heath.
