Incidence Patterns and Spatial Analysis of the Most Common Cancers in Southeastern Iran Using Geographic Information System (GIS)

Background and aim: Cancer is the third leading cause of mortality in Iran. By use of Geographic Information System, location-based and accurate analytical and descriptive date can be given to health policy makers. The aim of this study is to identify the incidental patterns of cancers (random, scattered, cluster) and analyze them spatially. Method(s): This is a periodical descriptive and analytical study which has investigated all new recorded incidents of cancers in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province in southwestern Iran from 2008 to 2011. The data were analyzed using ArcGIS9.3 and Stata12. Spatial Auto correlation coefficient and Moran I and Getis-Ord, t test, ANOVA and Chi-square were used for data analysis. Results revealed that in the age Mean and Standard deviation of the patients was 5/81 ±9/59. The mean age of the patients was meaningful according to gender and different towns (P=0.037). Standardized Incidences of Cancer in Shahrekord, Farsan, Ardal, Kiar, Koohrang, Lordegan and Borougen towns were 220/9, 154/3, 143/8, 80/9, 64/2, 61/1 and 57/2 per one hundred thousand of population, respectively. The most frequency of cancers was related to cancers of the digestive system ((2/25%, skin(2/81%)and urinary system (9/85%) and the least of them was related to cartilage(3/0%). Patterns of cancer incidence in southwestern Iran was random (P=0.13519). In Conclusions: Reports of differences in cancer incidence based on age, sex, city of residence and non-cluster cancers in the area studied can support the cancer prevention and screening programs focusing hypothesis and pave the road for decision makers and planners in the health system.