A new study from the University of Kentucky's Markey Cancer Center reveals significant disparities in access to proton therapy, highlighting how many patients in the U.S. lack convenient access to this treatment due to the limited number of proton therapy centers, which are costly to build and maintain.

The research, published in JAMA Network Open and conducted in collaboration with Brown University, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, assessed the travel times required for patients to reach the nearest proton therapy facility across the country, considering factors such as age, income, and geographic location. Findings showed that only about one-third of the U.S. population lives within an hour’s drive of a proton therapy center, while over 16% would need to drive four hours or more.

The study identified older adults, those with lower incomes, and individuals in rural areas as the groups facing the greatest challenges in accessing these centers.

“These disparities present a barrier to an emerging technology in cancer treatment and inhibit equitable access to ongoing clinical trials,” said Todd Burus, the study's lead author and a researcher at Markey Cancer Center’s Community Impact Office.

The study's findings suggest that the long travel distances required for proton beam therapy can create significant obstacles for patients, who often prefer treatment closer to home. Moreover, the lack of insurance coverage for lodging near treatment centers adds to the financial burden of cancer care. The researchers emphasize that awareness of these travel demands is crucial for clinicians and patients when considering proton beam therapy as a treatment option.

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