Improving Liver Cancer Screening in Rural and Underserved Communities: Early Detection for Better Patient Outcomes

Target Audience
This activity is designed specifically for primary care clinicians, registered nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses who care for patients from rural and underserved areas.

Program Overview
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most rapidly increasing cancers in the United States, with an incidence rate that has more than tripled since 1980. While the rate of new HCC cases in urban areas has declined in recent years, it has increased steadily in rural areas, particularly among Blacks and non-Hispanic Whites. Patients with HCC in rural and underserved areas are more likely than their urban counterparts to be diagnosed at a late stage and are less likely to receive treatment of any type. Residents of rural communities also face unique challenges when seeking cancer care, including shortages of oncology specialists, limited availability of treatments, long distances to care, and transportation barriers. This CME/CE activity will review risk factors for HCC and current recommendations for screening and surveillance. Evidence-based guidelines for HCC treatment and strategies to improve access to cancer care in rural and underserved settings will also be covered.

This enduring activity is a recorded session from the 3rd Annual Rural Health Clinical Congress that took place on November 20, 2021.

Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:

Implement evidence-based strategies for screening and surveillance to improve early detection of HCC in rural and underserved populations
Evaluate current evidence for treatment to improve personalized management and follow-up care for patients with HCC
Identify strategies to reduce barriers and improve care coordination for HCC patients who reside in rural and underserved communities