Poster Presentation 2025 Joint Meeting of the COSA ASM and IPOS Congress

Equitable Cancer Outcomes Across Rural and Remote Australia - cancer diagnosis, treatment and experiences in Victoria (ECORRA-Vic): A protocol for a statewide survey (126340)

Sharina Riva 1 , Hannah Jongebloed 1 , Maria Bechelli 2 , Sue Evans 2 , Rebecca Bergin 1 , Skye Marshall 1 , Trish Livingston 1 , Victoria White 1 , Sophie Boffa 3 , Anna Wong Shee 4 5 , Lan Gao 1 , Anna Chapman 1 , Luc te Marvelde 2 , Laura Alston 4 6 , Helena Rodi 1 , Anna Ugalde 1
  1. Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia
  2. Victorian Cancer Registry Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  3. Equitable Cancer Outcomes across Rural and Remote Australia (ECORRA) National Consumer Program, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
  4. Deakin Rural Health, Deakin University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  5. Grampians Health, Grampians, VIC, Australia
  6. Colac Area Health, Colac, VIC, Australia

Objectives

Disparities in cancer care between rural and metropolitan residents remain a national priority, with poorer outcomes observed for people living in rural and remote Australia. Rural cancer patients experience longer delays in diagnosis and treatment compared to their metropolitan counterparts. In Victoria, people living outside major cities are 13% more likely to die from their cancer by comparison, and this disparity is worsening.

The Equitable Cancer Outcomes across Rural and Remote Australia - Victoria (ECORRA-Vic) project aims to identify predictors of delays in cancer diagnosis and treatment specific to rural settings, driving and establishing solutions to improve cancer care for rural Victorians.

Design, sample and setting

Cross-sectional survey of adults (18 years and above) living in Victoria diagnosed with cancer between February 2024 and January 2025, identified through the population-based Victorian Cancer Registry. Eligible tumour streams include melanoma, and colorectal, oesophageal, head and neck, lung, prostate, and ovarian cancer, cancers known to demonstrate survival disparities between rural and metropolitan settings. 1200 responses (600 rural, 600 metropolitan) will be collected.

Procedures

Eligible patients will be mailed the survey which captures cancer diagnosis and treatment details and experiences, and socio-demographics. Approximately 330 eligible cases will be approached monthly. Survey responses will be analysed to identify predictors of diagnostic and treatment delays across rural Victoria.

Preliminary results

Since March 2025, approximately 900 surveys have been mailed to eligible cancer cases; 118 consents have been received (approximately 13%).

The findings will identify factors contributing to unwarranted diagnostic and treatment delays for people with cancer and identify care discrepancies between rural and metropolitan Victoria. 

Conclusions and clinical implications

ECORRA-Vic will generate evidence to inform cost-effective and evidence-based solutions for rural Australians. Understanding patient pathways and reasons behind diagnostic and treatment delays are critical steps that will inform equitable cancer outcomes for all Victorians.