A study led by Dr. Fengyu Wen from the Institute of Medical Technology at Peking University Health Science Center and Professor Luxia Zhang from the National Institute of Health Data Science at Peking University explored survival disparities among cancer patients based on their healthcare mobility patterns. Using data from over 20,000 cancer patients in Shandong Province, the research analyzed three mobility patterns: intra-city, local center, and national center care.

The findings revealed that cancer patients who traveled to local or national healthcare centers had higher five-year survival rates (69.3%) compared to those who received treatment within their residential cities (65.4%). The study highlights the role of advanced healthcare resources and specialized treatment in improving survival outcomes, while also pointing out the financial and logistical burdens associated with traveling for medical care.

The research team emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to enhance healthcare quality in resource-limited cities and reduce survival disparities. Future studies will incorporate additional data, such as cancer stages and diagnosis timelines, to refine insights and guide public health policies effectively.