Move to the countryside if you want to beat cancer

  • Rural bowel cancer patients were more likely to survive past the 3 year mark
  • Experts say it could be down to the ease of getting a GP appointment in villages
  • While they also say those living in the countryside are more likely to be affluent

By

Stephen Matthews For Mailonline


Published:
05:27 EDT, 6 June 2017

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Updated:
06:08 EDT, 6 June 2017

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Cancer patients are more likely to survive their battle if they live in the countryside, new research suggests.

Being surrounded by trees and fields in every direction reduces the risk of death by 29 per cent for those with the disease.  

Experts believe it could be down to the ease of getting a GP appointment in rural villages, allowing symptoms to be addressed quickly.

A closer relationship with the doctor may offer another explanation for the results of the British study, which city-dwellers often struggle to develop.

Scientists also hinted that those living away from urban areas are more likely to be affluent – a factor known to increase someone’s life expectancy. 

Being surrounded by trees and fields in every direction reduces the risk of death by 29 per cent for those with the disease

Being surrounded by trees and fields in every direction reduces the risk of death by 29 per cent for those with the disease

Being surrounded by trees and fields in every direction reduces the risk of death by 29 per cent for those with the disease

But the findings, led by the University of East Anglia, show a stark comparison to a body of evidence that suggests the opposite to be true.

Dr Peter Murchie, of Aberdeen University, who was involved in the study, told The Times: ‘There have been a number of papers over the years and almost universally they find that in rural areas outcomes are worse.

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‘The nature of your relationship with a GP is different in rural areas… you’re more likely to know the GP socially and that can help or hinder depending on symptoms.

‘Access to rural GPs generally speaking is easier than it would be if you’re registered at a big urban practice.’ 

For the study, the scientists assessed 926 bowel cancer patients - one of the most common forms of the disease (stock)

For the study, the scientists assessed 926 bowel cancer patients - one of the most common forms of the disease (stock)

For the study, the scientists assessed 926 bowel cancer patients – one of the most common forms of the disease (stock)

WHY YOU SHOULD MOVE FROM THE CITY

The benefits of living in the countryside, from reducing the risk of obesity to improving wellbeing, have been highlighted in a range of studies.

A Friends of the Earth Europe-funded study showed that the great outdoors had benefits for pregnant women in March.

Those living in close proximity to trees and open fields gave birth to children of much healthier sizes, they found.

After reviewing hundreds of previous studies, they also noted that it can slash the chance of an early death by 16 per cent. 

While having access to a garden, living near a park or within reach of the countryside helps people live longer, suggested a study last year.

Harvard University researchers found those who live in the urban jungle had a 12 per cent higher death rate than those with access to green spaces.

In April this year, Oregon State University experts found just going for a hike in the countryside helps to keep a smile on your face.  

How was the study carried out?

For the study, the scientists assessed 926 bowel cancer patients – one of the most common forms of the disease.

They compared the survival rates of those who lived in the cities with those who were based in the countryside.

What did they find? 

They found rural patients were more likely to survive past the three year mark, the newspaper reports.

However, such patients presented with worrying symptoms when they first saw a doctor more often than city-dwellers.

The new findings, which also showed that having to travel further for treatment didn’t impact survival, were published in the British Journal of General Practice.

What has previous evidence shown? 

University of Sheffield researchers previously found that living further away from hospitals increased the risk of death for all causes. 

Their data, published in 2007, suggested for every six miles (10km) distance, the chances of mortality increased by one per cent.

While Swedish researchers made similar conclusions in 2015 after assessing more than 500,000 patients.

They showed the chances of surviving a heart attack decreases by three per cent for every additional six miles (10km) someone lives from hospital.

An Italian study published in the same year found that the distance from hospitals can influence diagnosis, treatment, outcome and quality of life for cancer patients. 

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