Is long travel distance a barrier to surgical cancer care in the United States? A systematic review

Background: Travel distance to surgical cancer care is increasing. The relationship between increased travel distance and receipt of surgical cancer care in the United States is not well characterized.

Methods: A systematic review of studies examining travel distance and receipt of surgery for adult patients in the United States was performed. Literature searches were conducted using PubMed and EMBASE.

Results: Seven studies were included. Only one found lower likelihood of surgery with increasing travel distance. Three studies, all based on hospital-based data, found that increased travel distance was associated with a higher likelihood of receiving surgery. Two studies found no association and one study had mixed findings.

Conclusion: We were unable to identify a consistent relationship between travel distance and receipt of surgery. Our results highlight the need for additional research examining how increasing travel distance impacts receipt of surgical cancer care.