A critical assessment of geographic clusters of breast and lung cancer incidences among residents living near the Tittabawassee and Saginaw Rivers, Michigan, USA.
OBJECTIVE
To assess previously determined geographic clusters of breast and lung cancer incidences among residents living near the Tittabawassee and Saginaw Rivers, Michigan, using a new set of environmental factors.


METHODS
Breast and lung cancer data were acquired from the Michigan Department of Community Health, along with point source pollution data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The datasets were used to determine whether there is a spatial association between disease risk and environmental contamination. GIS and spatial techniques were combined with statistical analysis to investigate local risk of breast and lung cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
The study suggests that neighborhoods in close proximity to the river were associated with a high risk of breast cancer, while increased risk of lung cancer was detected among neighborhoods in close proximity to point source pollution and major highways. Statistically significant (P </= .001) clusters of cancer incidences were observed among residents living near the rivers. These findings are useful to researchers and governmental agencies for risk assessment, regulation, and control of environmental contamination in the floodplains.
Guajardo
Olga A
OA
Advanced Geospatial Analysis Lab, Department of Geography and Environmental Resources, Southern Illinois University, 1000 Faner Drive, MC 4514, Carbondale, IL 62901-4514, USA.
Oyana
Tonny J
TJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007221:Industry; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D045483:Rivers; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000506:poisoning; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000506:poisoning; D055815:Young Adult
D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical