Investigating the Relationship Between Geographic Distribution of the Mortality Rate due to Various Types of Cancer and Climatic Components; Case Study of Isfahan Province

Due to the large influence of environmental and geographical factors on the incidence and widespread distribution of cancer, medical geography researchers are interested in studying and identifying the centers of the incidence crisis and the dispersion of people with this disease. The geographical and climatic features of Iran have provided a good basis for the incidence of cancer in most parts of the country and have made Iran a pivotal potential for the emergence and spread of the disease. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the scientific understanding of the relationship between the three important climatic elements (temperature, precipitation and elevation) and the mortality rate due to various types of cancer.
The present study used library and documentary methods. Required data on climatic elements (temperature, precipitation and elevation) and mortality from cancer (skin and moles, lung and bronchus, bladder, brain, esophagus, breast and prostate) in Isfahan province were extracted from Iran Meteorological Organization and Ministry of Health and Medical Education’s report (2014), respectively. Also, in order to climatic-zone the Isfahan province, Emberger method was used. Excel software (version 2010) was used for statistical analysis of data, and ArcGIS software for drawing maps of spatial distribution of various diseases in Isfahan province’s counties.
The results of this study showed that there was a positive and significant relationship between the mortality rate from cancer (esophagus, prostate, skin and moles, breast and brain) and temperature. Also, there was a statistically negative and significant relationship between the mortality rate from lung, bladder, brain, prostate, and breast cancer and precipitation rates. In addition, there was a statistically negative and significant relationship between prostate, skin and moles, bladder, brain, esophagus, breast, and lung cancer and number of deaths.
In order to prevent the spread of diseases, it is essential to establish an appropriate and efficient communication network between health centers and institutions. Furthermore, the use of modeling techniques is useful in estimating the healthcare shortages in different regions in order to control the incidence, prevalence and fight against various diseases.