Cancer disproportionately impacts adults living in rural areas

Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States (US). A total of 1.9 million new cancer cases and 610,000 deaths from cancer are expected in the US in 2022. Detecting cancer early, before it spreads throughout the body, saves lives. Currently, only 5 types of cancer have commonly available screenings, which leaves too many cancers with no way of being detected early. In fact, more than 70% of cancer deaths are due to those cancers with no recommended screening test. Those living in rural areas often face greater public health challenges, as they have more limited access to healthcare, are less likely to be insured, and are more likely to live in poverty. Those challenges can lead to increased late-stage cancer incidence and cancer deaths. While cancer mortality rates across the nation have been decreasing, this decline has not been experienced equally. For many rural populations, cancer mortality is not decreasing; it is steady and, in some cases, rising. This issue brief seeks to compare the rates of diagnosed cancers in metropolitan vs non-metropolitan areas to help quantify the disparity in cancer burden for patients living in non-metro areas.