Signals of inequity in the care pathway: rural lab diagnosis, systemic therapy delays, and RAS mutation differences in metastatic colorectal cancer - Takeaways - MDSpire

Signals of inequity in the care pathway: rural lab diagnosis, systemic therapy delays, and RAS mutation differences in metastatic colorectal cancer

  • By

  • Adam Ismail

  • Amandri Dahanayake

  • Shahid Ahmed

  • Yagan Pillay

  • Areej Khatib

  • June 2, 2026

  • 0 min

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  • 1

    Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of mortality in Canada, with geographic disparities affecting patient outcomes.

  • 2

    Rural patients with stage IV colorectal cancer had higher odds of right-sided and rectal tumors compared to urban patients.

  • 3

    RAS mutations were more frequently identified in rural patients, with rates of 11.2% compared to 1.6% in urban patients.

  • 4

    Patients diagnosed in rural laboratories experienced longer delays in starting chemotherapy compared to those in urban labs.

  • 5

    Overall survival for stage IV colorectal cancer was similar between rural and urban patients, despite systemic therapy delays.

Original Source(s)

Signals of inequity in the care pathway: rural lab diagnosis, systemic therapy delays, and RAS mutation differences in metastatic colorectal cancer

  • by Adam Ismail, Amandri Dahanayake, Shahid Ahmed, Yagan Pillay, Areej Khatib

  • June 2, 2026

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