Abstract PO1-09-05: Reversing Rural Disparity Through Increased Access to Breast Care Using Model of Academic-Community Collaboration
Authors: Shelton Charles , Ruiz Antonio 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background: Rural disparity in Breast Cancer (BC) often relates to poor geographic access. We are small county in rural North Carolina with historically poor outcomes, including more advanced stages of BC at presentation, higher mastectomy rates, and higher BC-specific mortality rates than elsewhere. Beginning in 2002 we increased access to care by construction of a 19-bed Critical Access Hospital. With a higher median age population (10 years older), and cancer as the number one cause of death (30% of all deaths), we began to increase access to services with focus on cancer. Two decades later, we still do not provide all aspects of care locally, but through a model of collaboration we have increased access to all aspects of cancer care. Breast Cancer is the most common, and this report details the reversal in disparity seen rurally based on our model of collaboration with both a regional community cancer program and academic cancer program. Methods: We partnered with academic and community cancer centers in nearby counties to increase access to imaging, cancer specialists, radiation therapy and chemotherapy services, and support services for breast care. When we could not provide these services locally, we helped navigate patients to these other facilities to improve access. We invited dedicated breast surgeon from community cancer program to attend clinic weekly in our area. We created virtual breast-specific tumor boards to discuss 100% of cases prospectively, with improved access to pathologists, geneticists, fellowship-trained imaging specialists, breast surgeons and other multi-disciplinary care members (reconstructive surgery, PT/OT, integrative medicine, GYN). We became cancer accredited with both COC and NAPBC. We compare metrics pre/post-improvements. Results: Baseline:
1. Mortality rates: (2002-2006) 5-year BC mortality rates in our region averaged 32.3/100,000 population which was in the top quartile for the state, 30% higher than the state average.
2. Stages at presentation: 47% of BC stages were early (stages 0/1) in our service region compared to 62% elsewhere (NCDB data). Stage IV represented 6% in our region versus 4% elsewhere. 2500 mammograms/year at hospital at baseline.
3. Surgery/Radiation Therapy: Mastectomy rates averaged &gt;50% in region, with correspondingly lower breast conserving rates than elsewhere due to lack of access to breast surgeons and radiation therapy services locally. Closest RT facility 80 miles.
4. Distances to high quality breast care averaged 150 miles. Closest Academic/Community Cancer Program 2-hour drive (one way). Post Collaboration: 1. Mortality rates: (2015-2019), 5-year BC mortality rates in our region averaged 16.3/100,000 population which is in the lowest quartile, 20% lower than the state average.
2. Stages at presentation: 74% of BC stages are early (stages 0/I) in our region versus 68% elsewhere. Stage IV now below parity with 3% locally versus 4% nationally. More than 5100 mammograms/year done currently at local hospital.
3. Surgery/Radiation Therapy: Mastectomy rates average 21%, with partial mastectomy rates of 79% in our area versus 70% elsewhere (NAPBC data) with RT services available locally.
4. Distances to quality breast care average 20 miles, and we are nationally accredited program in breast care as a critical access hospital. Analytic case load is now triple baseline numbers. Conclusion:
We reversed the trend in rural disparity in breast cancer outcomes through model of collaboration. We increased screening rates locally, doubling the number of screening/diagnostic exams, increased the percentage of early stage at diagnosis, halved our mastectomy rates, and reduced BC-specific mortality 50% relative to baseline (and now 20% lower than state). We are now at parity with most BC-specific quality metrics reflecting a huge shift in rural disparity, which could only be achieved rurally through collaboration.
Reversing Rural Disparity Through Increased Access to Breast Care Using Model of Academic-Community Collaboration

This table depicts the changes in our region over time, which have brought us to parity with Breast Care nationally.
Citation Format: Charles Shelton, Antonio Ruiz. Reversing Rural Disparity Through Increased Access to Breast Care Using Model of Academic-Community Collaboration [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO1-09-05.