Rural cancer research activity across Europe: A bibliometric analysis on patterns, gaps and policy implications

Area of Science:

• Bibliometrics and Health Services Research
• European Public Health
• Cancer Epidemiology

Background:

• Rural populations face significant cancer pathway challenges, contributing to health inequalities.
• Existing research on rural cancer is largely non-European, creating a knowledge gap for European policy.
• A comprehensive understanding of European rural cancer research is needed for equitable policy planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To map European rural cancer research activity, including publication trends, geographical distribution, collaboration, and thematic focus.
• To identify gaps and concentrations in current research to inform future policy.
• To provide a foundation for equitable cancer policy development in European rural areas.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric review using Scopus and Web of Science (1940-2025).
• Analysis included annual output, citation metrics, country/institutional productivity, collaboration networks, and thematic mapping.
• Multiple Correspondence Analysis was employed for thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• 2050 publications analyzed, with annual output growing at 6.04%.
• Research activity is concentrated in the UK, France, Germany, Poland, and Italy.
• Strong collaboration networks exist, particularly in Western Europe, but research themes are narrow, focusing on screening and epidemiology, with limited data on treatment and survivorship.

Conclusions:

• European rural cancer research is unevenly distributed and thematically limited.
• Integrating rurality into cancer inequality monitoring and EU policy frameworks is crucial.
• Enhancing research capacity in under-represented countries is essential for equitable cancer policy.