Journal article
Proximity to cancer rehabilitation and exercise oncology by geography, race, and socioeconomic status
Cancer, Vol.131(1), e35515
01/2025
DOI: 10.1002/cncr.35515
PMCID: PMC11694168
PMID: 39306697
Abstract
Abstract Background Cancer rehabilitation and exercise oncology (CR/EO) have documented benefits for people living with and beyond cancer. The authors examined proximity to CR/EO programs across the United States with respect to population density, race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and cancer incidence and mortality rates. Methods This cross‐sectional study was conducted in 2022–2023. Online searches were initiated to identify CR/EO programs. Geocoding was used to obtain latitudinal and longitudinal geospatial coordinates. Demographic data were abstracted from the 2020 5‐year American Community Survey. Cancer incidence and mortality data were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. US 2013 Rural‐Urban Continuum Code (RUCC) classification was used to define counties as either urban (RUCC 1–3) or rural (RUCC 4–9). Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between being far from a program and census‐tract level factors. Results In total, 2133 CR/EO programs were identified nationwide. The distance from a program increased with decreasing population density: rural tracts were 17.68 ± 0.24 miles farther from a program compared with urban tracts ( p < .001). Program proximity decreased as the neighborhood deprivation index increased ( p < .001). Exercise oncology programs were less common than cancer rehabilitation programs in tracts with a larger proportion of minority residents ( p < .001). Conclusions Prior research has documented that underrepresented populations have worse cancer‐related symptoms and higher cancer mortality. Herein, the authors document their findings that these same populations are less likely to have proximity to CR/EO programs, which are associated with improved cancer‐related symptoms and cancer mortality outcomes. To realize the positive outcomes from CR/EO programming, efforts must focus on supporting expanded programming and sustainable payment for these services.
A search for exercise oncology and rehabilitation programs across the United States identified 2133 programs. Geographic proximity to these programs varied by rural versus urban geography, race and ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Proximity to cancer rehabilitation and exercise oncology by geography, race, and socioeconomic status
- Creators
- Kathryn H. Schmitz - University of PittsburghKathryn Demanelis - University of PittsburghMary E. Crisafio - Colorado State UniversityMary A. Kennedy - Edith Cowan UniversityAnna L. Schwartz - University of Nebraska Medical CenterAnna Campbell - Edinburgh Napier UniversityJessica Gorzelitz - University of IowaKelley C. Wood - ReVital Cancer Rehabilitation Select Medical Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania USAChristopher M. Wilson - Oakland UniversityRaymond L. Scalise - University of PittsburghAlex Vincent - University of Pittsburgh
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Cancer, Vol.131(1), e35515
- DOI
- 10.1002/cncr.35515
- PMID
- 39306697
- PMCID
- PMC11694168
- NLM abbreviation
- Cancer
- ISSN
- 0008-543X
- eISSN
- 1097-0142
- Publisher
- WILEY
- Grant note
- American Cancer Society: CRP-22-081-01-CTPS
Kathryn H. Schmitz was supported by an American Cancer Society Clinical Research Professorship Award (Grant CRP-22-081-01-CTPS).
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 09/22/2024
- Date published
- 01/2025
- Academic Unit
- Obstetrics and Gynecology; Health, Sport, and Human Physiology
- Record Identifier
- 9984719267702771
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