Experiences of patients with bladder cancer: A comparison of urban and rural areas.

568 Background: Bladder cancer patients encounter unique challenges and advantages in urban and rural environments, significantly influencing their path from diagnosis to treatment. While numerous studies explore bladder cancer from clinical and therapeutic perspectives, there is a noticeable gap in research addressing patients' experiences based on geographical locale. This study aims to bridge this gap by offering a comparative analysis of urban versus rural experiences. Methods: The World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition and IQVIA formulated an online survey, designed to capture the multifaceted experiences of bladder cancer patients. Available in various languages, the survey was accessible from October 2021 to February 2022. Responses underwent systematic analysis, with parameters including gender, time since diagnosis, age, region, and disease stage, forming the sub-analytical categories. Results: We received a total of 1,198 responses from 45 countries. Key findings are summarized in the table, highlighting the comparative experiences of urban and rural patients. Conclusions: Significant disparities emerge between urban and rural bladder cancer patients. Rural patients particularly face prolonged diagnosis times, less clear communication from healthcare providers, and experience greater challenges in accessing treatment. These findings underscore the need for a re-evaluation of communication strategies and healthcare infrastructure, especially in rural areas. This research serves as a stepping stone for further investigations aimed at fostering a more patient-centric approach to bladder cancer care. Limitations to consider involve the inherent biases of online survey distribution and the possibility of certain regions being underrepresented. [Table: see text]