Abstract 5964: Integrating computational epidemiology and geographic information systems toos into cervical cancer research
Authors: Abdalla Ehsan , Nganwa David , Fall Souleymane 
Published: June 2022

Background: Cancer control researchers seek to reduce the burden of cancer by studying interventions, their impact on defined populations, and the means by which they can be better used. The first step in cancer control is identifying where the cancer burden is elevated, which suggests locations where interventions are needed. Geographic information systems (GIS) and other spatial analytic methods provide such a solution and thus can play a major role in cancer control. Our objective is to combine computational epidemiological and GIS tools to identify, map and explain racial disparities in cervical cancer treatment in Alabama, especially in the Black Belt counties (BBCs) of Alabama.

Methodology: Data obtained from ADPH/Cancer Registry were used in this study. ArcGIS 10.4 software was utilized to create maps along with graphs showing variation in cervical cancer treatment by race, stage at diagnosis, location and stratified by age groups and to measure geographical accessibility of cervical cancer patients to health care facilities. Accessibility was measured based on 10, 20, 30, 40 and50 miles multiple buffer distance from the city of Tuskegee, to sexually transmitted diseases (STD), clinics and hospitals.

Results: Overall, Blacks and Whites Alabamians who were diagnosed with cervical cancer were significantly less likely to receive treatments (surgery, radiation, surgery and radiation and chemotherapy). Blacks, who were living in rural BBCs, diagnosed with four stages of cervical cancer, stratified by the age groups (17 to 49, 50 to 64, 65 to 74 and 75 to 100 years), and underwent the four above mentioned treatment, had the highest Prevalence Rates (PR) of cervical cancer compared to their White counterparts. The ideal distance for cancer patients to the hospital shall be less than 12.4 miles away to avoid pain and discomfort during the travel. Our results show that out of seven STD clinics, ten health care centers and six hospitals are located in Macon County, and nearby Alabama counties. There are only two health care centers, namely Macon County Health Department and Tuskegee Quality Health Care Medical Clinic, which have an ideal location (around 1.9 to 2.5 and 4.0 to 6.3 miles respectively from Macon County). However, it provides only Pap smear, but no treatment.

Conclusion: We proved that disparity in outcomes result from unequal access to care and/or differences in the quality of care received. Also, factors that ultimately contribute to differences in outcome include access to timely treatment, factors which may be affected by race and age, as well as location differences. The findings could be used for planning better health care deliveries, especially in sparsely populated areas of Alabama.

Citation Format: Ehsan Abdalla, David Nganwa, Souleymane Fall. Integrating computational epidemiology and geographic information systems toos into cervical cancer research [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 5964.