Geospatial analysis of multiple cancers in individuals in the US, 2004-2014

Association of multi-criteria derived air toxics hazard score with lung cancer incidence in a major metropolitan area

Background

Lung cancer remains a major health problem world-wide. Environmental exposure to lung cancer carcinogens can affect lung cancer incidence. We investigated the association between lung cancer incidence and an air toxics hazard score of environmental carcinogen exposures derived previously under the exposome concept.

Methods

Lung cancer cases diagnosed in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties between 2008 and 2017 were identified from the Pennsylvania Cancer Registry. Age-adjusted incidence rates at the ZIP code level were calculated based on the residential address at diagnosis. The air toxics hazard score, an aggregate measure for lung cancer carcinogen exposures, was derived using the criteria of toxicity, persistence, and occurrence. Areas with high incidence or hazard score were identified. Spatial autoregressive models were fitted to evaluate the association, with and without adjusting for confounders. Stratified analysis by smoking prevalence was performed to examine potential interactions.

Results

We observed significantly higher age-adjusted incidence rates in ZIP codes that had higher air toxics hazard score values after controlling for demographic variables, smoking prevalence, and proximity to major highways. Analyzes stratified by smoking prevalence suggested that exposure to environmental lung carcinogens had a larger effect on cancer incidence in locations with higher smoking prevalence.

Conclusion

The positive association between the multi-criteria derived air toxics hazard score and lung cancer incidence provides the initial evidence to validate the hazard score as an aggregate measure of carcinogenic exposures in the environment. The hazard score can be used to supplement the existing risk factors in identifying high risk individuals. Communities with higher incidence/hazard score may benefit from greater awareness of lung cancer risk factors and targeted screening programs.

The Association between Spatial-Temporal Distribution of Prostate Cancer and Environmental Factors in Mainland China

BACKGROUND

In China, the incidence and mortality of prostate cancer are increasing. In this study, we analyzed the spatial-temporal distribution characteristics of prostate cancer incidence and mortality in China and explored the potential associations of socioeconomic, ecological, and meteorologic conditions.

METHODS

Spatial-temporal scan statistics were used to analyze the spatial-temporal patterns of prostate cancer in China from 2012 to 2016. Spatial regression models and the Geodetector method were used to explore the potential associations of anthropogenic and natural factors with prostate cancer.

RESULTS

The incidence and mortality of prostate cancer in China from 2012 to 2016 rapidly increased. The high incidence and mortality clusters were concentrated in the economically developed Yangtze River Delta region along the southeast coast. Among the 14 selected environmental factors, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, population density, comprehensive index of environmental pollution discharge, accessibility of health care resources, urbanization rate, and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) had significant positive correlations with prostate cancer incidence and mortality. GDP per capita, urbanization rate, and population density had high explanatory power.

CONCLUSIONS

The high-concentration areas for prostate cancer are located in more economically developed cities. The index of environmental pollution discharge, NO2, and prostate cancer incidence and mortality were positively correlated. The government should advocate increasing the use of clean energy while strengthening the regulation of industrial production to reduce pollutant emissions.

IMPACT

To inform the development of prevention and control strategies for prostate cancer in China.

MULTIPLE PRIMARY SYNCHRONOUS NEOPLASMS OF THE SIGMOID COLON AND BREAST IN COMBINATION WITH SPINAL CORD MENINGIOMA. CLINICAL CASE

The incidence of multiple primary oncological diseases ranges from 2.4% to 17%. The main causes of primary multiple diseases include factors related to the patient's lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors, as well as factors related to the comprehensive treatment of previously identified malignant diseases.

We demonstrate a clinical case of treatment of a patient with synchronous primary multiple cancer of the sigmoid colon and breast in combination with spinal cord meningioma. An interesting fact is the possible correlation between meningioma and breast cancer. Thus, the risk of meningioma in women who have had breast cancer and the risk of breast cancer in women with a history of meningioma is moderately increased (RR = 1.40-1.64 and 1.54, respectively). This two-way statistical association may be a consequence of common risk factors and a partial coincidence of gene-environmental interactions that determine carcinogenesis. Further research is needed to identify problems of prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and disease-free survival. It is important that patients diagnosed with cancer have information about possible late and long-term consequences of treatment and its symptoms, as well as possible signs of relapse and the appearance of secondary tumors. It is important that patients receiving treatment for malignant neoplasms follow the recommendations for cancer prevention and early detection, including smoking cessation, physical activity, nutrition and diet, a healthy weight and all standard cancer screening tests.