Rural residence is related to shorter survival in epithelial ovarian cancer patients.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Rural residence has been related to health disparities and greater mortality risk in cancer patients, including gynecologic cancer patients. Lower survival rates for rural cancer survivors have been attributed to limited access to specialized healthcare, including surgery. Here, we examined whether a rural/urban survival gap existed in ovarian cancer patients receiving surgery at tertiary-care facilities, and potential causes for this gap, including educational attainment.

Methods

Rural and urban patients with high grade invasive ovarian cancer (n = 342) seeking treatment at two midwestern tertiary-care university hospitals were recruited pre-surgery and followed until death or censoring date. Rural/urban residence was categorized using the USDA Rural-Urban Continu

SUBMITTER: Lutgendorf SK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8511108 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature