Implications of Regionalizing Care in the Developing World: Impact of Distance to Referral Center on Compliance to Biopsy Recommendations in a Brazilian Prostate Cancer Screening Cohort

Given growing specialization in medical care, optimal care may require regionalization, which may create access barriers. We tested this within a large prostate cancer (PC) screening program in Brazil. In 2004–2007, Barretos Cancer Hospital prospectively screened men for PC throughout rural Brazil. Men with abnormal screen were referred for follow-up and possible biopsy. We tested the link between distance from screening site to Barretos Cancer Hospital and risk of noncompliance with showing up for biopsy, PC on biopsy and, among those with PC, PC grade using crude and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Among 10,467 men undergoing initial screen, median distance was 257 km (IQR: 135–718 km). On crude and multivariable analyses, farther distance was significantly linked with biopsy noncompliance (OR/100 km: 0.83, P < 0.001). Among men who lived within 150 km of Barretos Cancer Hospital, distance was unrelated to compliance (OR/100 km: 1.09, P =0.87). There was no association between distance and PC risk or PC grade (all P > 0.25). In Brazil, where distances to referral centers can be large, greater distance was related to reduced biopsy compliance in a PC screening cohort. Among men who lived within 150 km, distance was unrelated to compliance. Care regionalization may reduce access when distances are large.