New survey data show rural adults are falling behind urban and suburban adults in medical screenings.
Only 48% of rural Americans have had a routine medical visit or cancer screening in the past year, as opposed to 56% of urban and suburban adults, revealing a widening care gap, according to Prevent Cancer Foundation’s 2026 Early Detection Survey.
The survey, which was fielded in January, surveyed a demographically representative sample of 7,510 U.S. adults aged 21 or older. It was conducted by Atomik Research, an independent market research agency, and included cancer screenings for breast cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, oral cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer and testicular cancer.
A crucial barrier for rural respondents accessing preventative care is cost, with nearly four in 10 rural respondents saying they are behind on screenings because they cannot afford them.
Cost is not the only barrier to accessing screenings, however, as rural adults also exhibit higher percentages of skepticism towards the health care system and providers. More than half (55%) of rural respondents believe the healthcare system prioritizes profit over patient care, and a quarter of the respondents also reported feeling dismissed by a provider. This is 5% higher than their urban and suburban counterparts, who tend to trust their providers more than the system itself.
Rural respondents also have lower confidence in preventive measures, including vaccines, screenings, and avoiding tobacco, than urban and suburban respondents, according to the survey. Sixty-four percent of rural respondents believe in cancer prevention or risk reduction through the various lifestyle factors mentioned above, compared with 71% of adults in urban or suburban areas.
These respondents’ lack of confidence in cancer prevention accompanied a lag in HPV vaccination, with 42% of rural respondents reporting vaccination uptake for their children, compared to 49% in urban/suburban areas.
The survey also sought solutions to close the gap in care between rural and suburban/urban adults, which included clearer communication from providers, more convenient and less invasive screening options, and financially and geographically accessible care for rural communities.
Forty-eight percent of rural respondents said transparent, consistent communication from providers would build trust, meaning that there are opportunities for growth that may strengthen outcomes in these communities.
Respondents also stated an interest in home and self-administered tests that can reduce distance, time constraints, and overall discomfort. Almost half of rural adults surveyed were interested in self-administered cervical screening (48%), while approximately one third were interested in less invasive colorectal tests (33%), including at-home tests (32%) and blood tests (30%).
Other ways to reduce barriers to care are geographical methods, such as mobile screening units and community-based care programs, and financial methods, such as explaining costs and coverage and connecting people to financial assistance.
“It’s clear from the data that barriers in rural communities go beyond access—they show a need to improve trust, information sharing and the patient experience,” said Jody Hoyos, CEO of the Prevent Cancer Foundation, in a statement. “When people feel heard, receive clear information and can access routine screenings in ways that work for their lives, they are more likely to take action. That’s where we have an opportunity to make meaningful, lasting change.”