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Creating Maps and Mapping Systems for Cancer Control and Prevention

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Geospatial Approaches to Energy Balance and Breast Cancer

Part of the book series: Energy Balance and Cancer ((EBAC,volume 15))

Abstract

Mapping public health data provides valuable insights into geography of diseases. Maps and mapping systems can also be a useful practical tool for public health planning; the identification of areas of elevated cancer incidence or mortality can inform optimal spatial allocation of resources as well as targeted interventions aimed at cancer prevention and control. This chapter addresses the role of mapping in cancer research and the utility of mapping systems for cancer control activities through a series of examples and best practices. The chapter is organized into three sections. The introductory section briefly traces the evolution from paper maps to modern digital maps and cancer atlases, highlighting their value for understanding the geography of cancer. The second section discusses the relevance of mapping in cancer research and provides examples from recent literature where maps have been used to aid cancer research and inform interventions. The third section focuses on modern cancer mapping systems, their development, design considerations, functionality, and application through a series of examples demonstrating their value for informing cancer control activities.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Mapping systems are tools that combine geospatial data access and query capabilities with geovisualization

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Surveillance Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Zaria Tatalovich

  2. Westat, Inc., Rockville, MD, USA

    David G. Stinchcomb

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  1. Zaria Tatalovich
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Correspondence to Zaria Tatalovich .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA

    David Berrigan

  2. Center for Science, Health and Society Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Nathan A. Berger

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Tatalovich, Z., Stinchcomb, D.G. (2019). Creating Maps and Mapping Systems for Cancer Control and Prevention. In: Berrigan, D., Berger, N. (eds) Geospatial Approaches to Energy Balance and Breast Cancer. Energy Balance and Cancer, vol 15. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-18408-7_3

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