detecting high risk cluster of gastric cancer incidence in iran by space-time scan statistic during 2005 to 2009

abstract background: in iran gastric cancer is the second most common cancer and the most cause of death cancer, the aim of this study is provide map geographical distribution of gastric cancer and detect high risk cluster with use of space-time scan statistic. methods: this was an applied study. the data is provided from reports published by center for disease control office in ministry of health; also the data is registred by province for a period of 5 years from 2005 to 2009. for analyzing the data and detecting the cluster, we use satscan software and for mapping the distribution of gastric cancer and showing the cluster in the country we use arcgis10. findings: we find three high risk clusters. the most likely cluster which is statistically significant were contain provinces ardabil, gilan, zanjan, east azerbaijan, qazvin, west azerbaijan, kurdistan, hamedan, tehran and mazandaran during 2008 to 2009. in addition to the most likely cluster we find two secondary cluster.the first secondary clusters which were statistically significant contain provinces south khorasan, kerman and khorasan razavi. the second cluster that is not statistically significant contains just kohgiloye and boyer ahmad). conclusion: high risk point that was detected by space-time scan statistic include province in north, northwest and center of iran specially ardabil, mazandaran, gilan and kurdistan. this study suggests screening tests in the high risk point and do more epidemiological study for implementing prevention programs key words: gastric cancer, space- time scan statistic, detecting cluster, disease mapping