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Local Treatments May Help with Advanced Colon Cancer—but Access Is Not Equal

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Rurality and Use of Metastasis-Directed Therapies for Medicare Beneficiaries with Metastatic Colon Cancer A Retrospective Cohort Study.DOI 10.1245s10434-025-18412-4

Some people with advanced colon cancer can benefit from special treatments that target cancer in the liver or lungs. These are called metastasis-directed therapies. They can include surgery, precise radiation, or heat treatments that destroy cancer. These options can help people live longer—but not everyone has the same access.

A new study looked at over 11,000 people on Medicare who had colon cancer that spread to the liver or lungs. Only about 7% of them got one of these special treatments. The study checked whether people in rural areas were less likely to get these treatments.

Surprisingly, living in a rural area did not make a big difference. People in cities and rural towns had about the same chances of getting these treatments. But other factors did matter. People with both Medicare and Medicaid, and those living in poorer areas, were less likely to get treated.

The study also found that people who did get these treatments were more likely to live longer. This shows how important it is to make sure everyone can access the best care, no matter where they live or how much money they have.

If you or a loved one has advanced colon cancer, talk to your doctor about whether local treatments to the liver or lungs might help.

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Dr Harsh Shah - GI & HPB Oncosurgeon in Ahmeadbad
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