Printer Friendly
Email to a Friend
Fewer Cancer Specialists Practicing in Rural Areas
(KTNC) -- A national study finds cancer care in rural America is lacking and without significant changes, won't likely improve. One of the study's authors, Dr. Blase Polite, a professor of medicine at the University of Chicago, says there are too few cancer specialists in rural areas and they face an increasing number of cancer patients.
The report found nearly two-thirds of all cancer practices with one to five doctors planned to close, merge or sell in the next year because a lot of the cost pressures.
The study finds seven in ten counties nationwide don't have a cancer specialist, and while 20-percent of Americans live in rural areas, only three-percent of oncologists are located in rural areas.
Dr. Polite says one of the downsides to increasing longevity is that as people live longer, more will be diagnosed with cancer. He says the fear is that some patients in rural areas will simply give up because of the uphill fight to get treatment in a far-away city.
Polite is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, which put out the report, "The State of Cancer Care in America: 2014." Learn more at the website: www.asco.org.
© Nebraska Radio Network
|
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Holton man killed in Jackson Co crash
Morrill pair arrested on drug, child endangerment charges
Cold case investigation leads to Holton warrant
Effingham owner regains truck following theft, arrest
Horton City Clerk's resignation accepted Monday
Local residents avoid injury in chain reaction crash
Former Kickapoo Tribal chairman arrested
90 mph+ downburst winds blamed for Thursday damage
Winchester native named as Amberwell CEO
Wamego man sentenced in second fentanyl-related death
Mayetta pair arrested on meth, child endangerment charges
Holton property search concludes with arrest
Stolen trailer, 4-wheeler, recovered in Atchison
Juveniles face charges following Atchison break-in
Atchison Co's Oswald named honorary bailiff for KS Court
Two arrested following Friday Jackson Co traffic stop
McLouth man injured in Monday wreck
No injuries in early Sunday morning house fire in Falls City
LATEST STORIES
KS prepares for severe weekend weather
Richardson County Board approves pay raise for dispatchers
NPPD urges farmers to be safe around power lines
Arbor Day proclaimed in Atchison
Former AG Schmidt running for KS' 2nd Congressional District
Doniphan Co Commission approves overlay projects
Holton property search concludes with arrest
Former Kickapoo Tribal chairman arrested
RELATED STORIES
USDA Boss Blasts Railroads for Rail Car Shortage
Falls City Hospital Receives Patient Care Award
More Storms Possible this Weekend
Red Cross says Learn to Swim Before Heading to Pool or Lake
Morel Mushroom Season Underway in Nebraska
Falls City Hospital Encouraging People to Walk at Work
Nebraska Among States Considering Legalizing Industrial Hemp
Hiawatha, Ks 66434