An eight-year snapshot of geospatial cancer research (2002–2009): clinico-epidemiological and methodological findings and trends |
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Authors: | Dina N Kamel Boulos Ramy R Ghali Ezzeldin M Ibrahim Maged N Kamel Boulos Philip AbdelMalik |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, Egypt;(2) Department of Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, Egypt;(3) Oncology Centre of Excellence, International Medical Centre, PO Box 2172, Jeddah, 21451, Saudi Arabia;(4) Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA, UK; |
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Abstract: | Geographic information systems (GIS) offer a very rich toolbox of methods and technologies, and powerful research tools that
extend far beyond the mere production of maps, making it possible to cross-link and study the complex interaction of disease
data and factors originating from a wide range of disparate sources. Despite their potential indispensable role in cancer
prevention and control programmes, GIS are underrepresented in specialised oncology literature. The latter has provided an
impetus for the current review. The review provides an eight-year snapshot of geospatial cancer research in peer-reviewed
literature (2002–2009), presenting the clinico-epidemiological and methodological findings and trends in the covered corpus
(93 papers). The authors concluded that understanding the relationship between location and cancer/cancer care services can
play a crucial role in disease control and prevention, and in better service planning, and appropriate resource utilisation.
Nevertheless, there are still barriers that hinder the wide-scale adoption of GIS and related technologies in everyday oncology
practice. |
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