Disparity in cancer survival between urban and rural patients--how can clinicians help reduce it?

Many reasons for the disparity in survival of 5-7% between rural and urban cancer patients relate to government policies and funding issues. However rural healthcare workers, particularly medical practitioners, can make an impact on reducing this disparity with attention to factors such as reducing referral processing time, using telemedicine, and ensuring ongoing education of rural patients regarding risk factors and screening programs, among other strategies.