Impact of Persistent Poverty on Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment, and Survival

Disparities in cancer outcomes were found in counties with persistent poverty since 1980, significantly affecting diagnosis, surgical resection, and survival rates for patients with non-small cell lung (nsclc), breast, and colorectal cancer. Patients in persistent poverty were more likely to present with advanced disease, less likely to undergo surgery, and had increased cancer-specific mortality compared to those without poverty. These effects were less pronounced in counties with current poverty and disappeared in counties that were no longer in poverty. Addressing persistent poverty could be a strategy to reduce disparities in cancer care and outcomes.