Neil Campbell - Overview

More than 20% of the UK population live in rural areas, but most cancers require specialised treatment, often only available in cities. Our research is concerned with rural factors in cancer care. We have found that, in Scotland, increasing distance from cancer centres is associated with poorer early survival from cancer and more advanced stage disease at diagnosis. These findings are similar to those in other countries despite them having very different rural areas. We are investigating patient decisions to consult with symptoms that could be cancer, symptom complexes at presentation in general practice, and delays before and differences in cancer treatment (comparing rural patients with their urban counterparts). Our research uses a wide spectrum of methods, for example, in-depth interviews with patients and professionals, consensus methods, and epidemiological techniques, including hierarchical modelling. In the longer term we are attempting to develop models for the provision of cancer services in rural areas.

Being based in a Department of General Practice and Primary Care, we are interested in the role of primary care in the management of cancer. Much of our work involves collaboration with colleagues in the Scottish School of Primary Care. We also collaborate closely with hospital-based specialists in Aberdeen and other parts of Scotland.