title: Spatial analysis of Relative Risks for skin cancer morbidity and mortality in Iran, 2008-2010.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  One of the most prevalent cancers in whole world is skin cancer and its prevalence is growing. The present research sought to estimate relative risk of morbidity and mortality due to skin cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study. The required data were gathered from the registered cancer reports of Cancer Control Office in the Center for Non Communicable Disease of the Iranian Ministry of Health (MOH). The data were extracted at province level in the time span of 2008-10. WINBUGS software was used to analyze the data and to identify high risk regions. ArcGIS10 was utilized to map the distribution of skin cancer and to demonstrate high risk provinces by using classic and fully Bayesian models taking into account spatial correlations of adjacent regions separately for men and women.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Relative risk of morbidity for women in Yazd and for men in Kurdistan and relative risk of mortality for women in Bushehr and for men in Kohgiluyeh were found to be the highest. Bayesian model due to regarding adjacent regions correlation, have precise estimation in comparing to classical model. More frequent epidemiological studies to enact skin cancer prevention programs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High risk regions in Iran include central and highland regions. Therefore it is suggested that health decision makers enact public education, using anti UV creams and sunglasses for those parts as a short preventing program.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, School of Paramedical Sciences, Safety and Environment, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran E-mail : kavousi_am@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Farid
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zayeri
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kavousi
authors.forename: Hadis
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Najafimehr
mesh_terms: D001499:Bayes Theorem; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology*; D062206:Spatial Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors