Geospatial impacts on melanoma stage at initial diagnosis - a systematic review

Melanoma, an invasive and potentially fatal form of skin cancer, is projected to comprise 5% of new cancer cases and 1.4% of cancer-related deaths in 2024 alone [1]. Survival rates are closely linked to the stage at detection, with thicker tumors at initial diagnosis associated with reduced overall survival rate [2,3]. Increased distance to healthcare providers creates barriers to early detection; disparities in sun exposure and healthcare access between rural and urban populations underscore the need for targeted interventions. This review explores the relationship between rurality and distance to providers with melanoma staging at detection. A search was conducted of the PubMed and Embase databases, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines [4]. The included studies examined melanoma staging and Breslow thickness in rural versus urban areas and the impact of distance to healthcare provider. Greater distance to healthcare providers was associated with more advanced tumor stages at diagnosis, while rurality status had largely insignificant effects. This review investigates the impact of rurality status and distance to a healthcare provider on melanoma detection. Ensuring equitable access is crucial for better melanoma management across different regions.