A mixed-methods approach for understanding cancer center catchment area needs: An example of rural cancer disparities, needs, and resiliencies

Stephanie Evett; Amanda Kahl; Megan E Schmidt; Kelly Wells Sittig; Meredith Meyer; Mary Charlton; Natoshia M Askelson; Sarah H Nash

doi:10.1007/s10552-026-02166-9

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A mixed-methods approach for understanding cancer center catchment area needs: An example of rural cancer disparities, needs, and resiliencies

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

A mixed-methods approach for understanding cancer center catchment area needs: An example of rural cancer disparities, needs, and resiliencies

Stephanie Evett, Amanda Kahl, Megan E Schmidt, Kelly Wells Sittig, Meredith Meyer, Mary Charlton, Natoshia M Askelson and Sarah H Nash

Cancer causes & control, Vol.37(5), 82

04/15/2026

DOI: 10.1007/s10552-026-02166-9

PMID: 41981345

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Abstract

National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) teams are expected to collect data to describe their catchment area's cancer burden. University of Iowa Health Care Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center employed a mixed-methods approach to describe rural-urban differences. We conducted descriptive analyses of cancer registry data to characterize cancer incidence, mortality and five-year survival in our cancer center's catchment area. We used secondary data sources to identify cancer risk/protective factors. All analyses were stratified by rurality using Rural-Urban Continuum Codes. Rural cancer leaders were interviewed to gain local perspectives on rural cancer burden and resiliencies. Rural counties had higher incidence compared to urban counties for colorectal cancer, bladder cancer, and leukemia, and lower incidence for liver and breast cancers. Rural residents had higher colorectal cancer mortality and lower liver cancer mortality. Rural residents experienced higher survival from breast and bladder cancers and lower survival from lung, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers, and myeloma. Compared to urban residents, rural residents were less likely to engage in cancer screening and human papillomavirus vaccination. They were more likely to smoke cigarettes and report no leisure time physical activity. Interviews revealed rural cancer needs related to transportation, accessible care, and education. The approach that this COE team used to assess its catchment area's cancer burden may be an informative approach for other cancer centers to understand their own catchment areas. The data collected will inform policies and direct cancer center research and clinical practices to reduce Iowa's cancer burden.

Registries

Adult

Aged

Cancer Care Facilities - statistics & numerical data

Catchment Area, Health - statistics & numerical data

Female

Health Services Needs and Demand - statistics & numerical data

Healthcare Disparities - statistics & numerical data

Humans

Incidence

Iowa - epidemiology

Male

Middle Aged

Neoplasms - epidemiology

Neoplasms - mortality

Rural Population - statistics & numerical data

Details

Title: Subtitle: A mixed-methods approach for understanding cancer center catchment area needs: An example of rural cancer disparities, needs, and resiliencies
Creators: Stephanie Evett - University of Iowa
Amanda Kahl - University of Iowa
Megan E Schmidt - University of Iowa
Kelly Wells Sittig - Iowa Cancer Consortium, Iowa City, IA, USA
Meredith Meyer - University of Iowa
Mary Charlton - University of Iowa
Natoshia M Askelson - University of Iowa
Sarah H Nash - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Cancer causes & control, Vol.37(5), 82
DOI: 10.1007/s10552-026-02166-9
PMID: 41981345
NLM abbreviation: Cancer Causes Control
ISSN: 0957-5243
eISSN: 1573-7225
Publisher: Springer Nature
Grant note: P30CA086862 / NCI NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 04/15/2026
Academic Unit: Epidemiology; Injury Prevention Research Center; Community and Behavioral Health; Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center
Record Identifier: 9985153533402771

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