ArticleThe Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology2026
Timeliness of Primary Radiotherapy for Cervical Cancer in Queensland: A 10 Year Rural-Urban Retrospective Cohort Study.
Article in The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundTimely delivery of primary radiotherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer is an important measure of quality cancer care. The impact of rural residence on timely access to radiotherapy for cervical cancer has not been examined in Australia.
aimTo establish if there are differences in timely radiation therapy for Queensland people with cervical cancer in rural areas compared to urban areas.
methodsThis retrospective population-based cohort study included all Queensland patients diagnosed with cervical cancer 2015-2024 who received primary radiotherapy with curative intent. Primary outcomes were treatment commencement within 6 weeks of diagnosis and treatment duration of combined external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy within 50 days. The secondary outcome was 5-year overall survival.
resultsOf 2115 patients diagnosed with cervical cancer, 794 received primary radiotherapy. 733 (92%) received brachytherapy. 30% commenced treatment within 6 weeks, and 39% completed treatment within 50 days. Compared with urban residence, rural residence was not associated with reduced likelihood of timely treatment commencement (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.62-1.17, p = 0.32), or timely treatment duration (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.76-1.41, p = 0.84). Rural patients were less likely to receive brachytherapy (89.4% vs. 93.9%; p = 0.02) and to complete prescribed fractions (84.8% vs. 90.4%; p = 0.02). Five-year survival was 70.3% (95% CI: 66.3%-73.9%), with no difference between urban (71.6%, 95% CI: 66.7%-76.0%) and rural patients (67.7%, 95% CI: 60.8%-73.7%; p = 0.31).
conclusionsRurality was not associated with inferior timeliness or survival outcomes for cervical cancer radiotherapy in Queensland. Adherence to recommended treatment timeframes was suboptimal across the health system.
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