Proximity to Radiotherapy Center, Population, Average Income, and Health Insurance Status as Predictors of Cancer Mortality at the County Level in the United States
Matthew Beckett, Luc Goethals, Ryan Kraus, Kseniya Denysenko, Maria Fernanda Barone Mussalem Gentiles, Yaroslav Pynda, May Abdel–Wahab
Abstract
PURPOSE: Sufficient radiotherapy (RT) capacity is essential to delivery of high-quality cancer care. However, despite sufficient capacity, universal access is not always possible in high-income countries because of factors beyond the commonly used parameter of machines per million people. This study assesses the barriers to RT in a high-income country and how these affect cancer mortality. METHODS: ≤ .05) on univariate analysis were included in a step-wise backward elimination method of multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: < .001). CONCLUSION: This analysis used unique high-quality data sets to identify significant barriers to RT access that correspond to higher cancer mortality at the county level. Geographic access, personal income, and insurance status all contribute to these concerning disparities. Efforts to address these barriers are needed.