Chemotherapy Deserts: A Growing Threat to Rural Cancer Patients
Subheading: Hundreds of Rural Hospitals Halted, Leaving Patients Facing Long Travel Distances and Missed Appointments
Introduction:
For rural patients battling cancer, getting treatment close to home has always been a challenge. But in recent years, the problem has become even more dire as chemotherapy deserts have expanded across the United States. According to a study published in the journal JAMA Oncology, 382 rural hospitals have stopped providing chemotherapy in the past decade.
The results of the study revealed that rural hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) had lower rates of comprehensive cancer care compared to urban hospitals. This means that rural patients are less likely to have access to the full range of cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery.
The consequences of this disparity are significant. Rural patients who have to travel long distances for cancer treatment are more likely to miss appointments, experience delays in care, and have worse outcomes. A study by the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center found that rural patients with lung cancer were 14% more likely to die from their disease than urban patients.
The expansion of chemotherapy deserts is a serious threat to the health of rural cancer patients. It is essential that policymakers and healthcare providers take action to address this issue and ensure that all patients have access to the cancer care they need.
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