New study results of recent colon cancer research called 'A multilevel study of the determinants of area-level inequalities in colorectal cancer survival,' published in BMC Cancer may provide new insights on colon cancer therapy.

Australian scientists said, In Australia, associations between geographic remoteness, socioeconomic disadvantage, and colorectal cancer (CRC) survival show that survival rates are lowest among residents of geographically remote regions and those living in disadvantaged areas.

At present we know very little about the reasons for these inequalities, hence our capacity to intervene to reduce the inequalities is limited.

The study which is a first of its kind in Australia examines the relation between CRC survival and key area and individual-level factors.

Multilevel framework is used to investigate possible determinants or area-and individual-level inequalities in CRC survival and quantify the relative contribution of geographic remoteness, socioeconomic and demographic factors, disease stage, access to diagnostic and treatment centres, to these inequalities.

The analysis is based on the survival data of people diagnosed with CRC in Queensland from 1996 to 2005, from the Queensland Cancer Registry and also data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Queensland hospitals.

Calculation of road travel distances from patients' residence to treatment centres will be done through geo-coding and spatial technology.

The findings of this study will have direct implications for the targeting and resourcing of cancer control programs designed to reduce the burden of colorectal cancer and for the provision of diagnostic and treatment services, concluded Baade and his colleagues at Viertel Center for Research in Cancer Control.

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