The effect of physician density on colorectal cancer stage at diagnosis: causal inference methods for spatial data applied on regional-level data.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) through regular screening decreases its incidence and mortality rates and improves survival rates. Norway has an extremely high percentage of CRC cases diagnosed at late stages, with large variations across municipalities and hospital catchment areas. This study examined whether the availability of physicians related to CRC primary diagnosis and preoperative investigations, or physician density, contributes to the observed geographical differences in late-stage incidence rates.

Method

Municipality-level data on CRC stage at diagnosis were obtained from the Cancer Registry of Norway for the period 2012-2020. Physician density was calculated as the number of physicians related to CRC investigations, general practitioner

SUBMITTER: Draganic D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9850813 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature