Bridging the Gap: Precision Medicine in Rural Oncology as a Step Toward Cancer Care Equity

BACKGROUNDOne in five people in the United States lives in rural areas.This population faces a higher risk of disease and mortality compared to urban residents, including a greater risk of death from conditions such as cancer.Access to molecular medicine for tailoring cancer treatments to patients is a significant challenge.The Hartford Health Care Cancer Institute at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital primarily serves two municipalities in Connecticut: Winsted, with approximately 6,500 residents, and Torrington, a larger city with 34,000 residents.This location caters to a rural, underserved, and socioeconomically diverse population.