Barriers to malignant melanoma diagnosis in rural areas in the United States: A systematic review

Malignant melanoma is a challenging cutaneous cancer with increasing incidence and potential for aggressive progression. Despite progress in melanoma research, the impact of rurality on melanoma diagnosis and outcomes is limited and sometimes conflicting. This systematic review explores barriers to melanoma diagnosis in rural US communities, including distance, limited health care, socioeconomic disparities, and specialized care access, and their respective impact on patient outcomes. Rural residents face delays in diagnosis and subsequent management due to limited access to specialized care, with a link between increased distances and worse outcomes. Limited health care infrastructure and socioeconomic factors exacerbate disparities. Collaborative efforts involving health care providers, policymakers, and communities are crucial, with strategies such as telehealth, education, and outreach suggested. However, regional complexities highlight the need for tailored interventions. Equitable access, mitigating distance, and improving social determinants can improve melanoma diagnosis and outcomes. Further research is required for targeted interventions, bridging rural–urban health care gaps, and enhancing melanoma care in rural settings.