The atlas is a book of maps, text, tables, and figures showing the geographic patterns of cancer death rates throughout the United States from 1950-94 for more than 40 cancers.
Different colors represent higher or lower rates.
The color maps make it easy to pinpoint geographic areas with average, below average, or elevated rates. The geographic patterns of cancer may provide important clues to the causes of cancer. The atlas does not provide information about why death rates may be higher in certain localities than in others, but it can generate leads for in-depth epidemiologic studies that may shed light on factors contributing to cancer risks. Possible risk factors include tobacco use, occupational exposures, dietary habits, ethnic background, and environmental exposures from the air or water. In addition, geographic differences in mortality rates may reflect differences in access to medical care, such as screening, diagnosis, or treatment facilities.