Abstract AP03: OVARIAN CANCER AND PULP AND PAPER MANUFACTURING IN THE US: A GEOSPATIAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

Abstract The goals of this research were to: 1) utilize geographic and geostatistical methods available in geographic information systems (GIS) software to gain an in-depth understanding of the spatial distribution of ovarian cancer incidence rates, at national, state and county levels; and2) based on patterns identified from the first goal, conduct a preliminary assessment of the hypothesized association between ovarian cancer occurrence and pulp and paper manufacturing. We used the following approaches: 1) exploratory spatial data analysis of 2008-2012 ovarian cancer incidence at the county level – choropleth mapping, trend surface analysis, spatial autocorrelation and hot spot analysis;2) exploratory spatial data analysis of pulp and paper production sites, using EPA's Toxic Release Inventory data from 1988-2012;3) geographically weighted regression analysis to examine the relationship between ovarian cancer incidence and toxic emissions to air and surface water; and4) preliminary fate and transport modeling of a case study area (Wisconsin) to examine river effluent and atmospheric dispersion of chemical by-products. Results indicate that there is a strong north-to-south trend (i.e. higher rates in the north) in ovarian cancer incidence at both state and county levels. This coincides with historically higher numbers of pulp and paper mills in northern states. Exceptions to this overall trend are statistically significant multi-county clusters of high rates in Georgia and Alabama, both of which have high levels of pulp and paper production. The hypothesis is weakly supported by geographically weighted regression, when migration patterns are taken into account. In conclusion, this research indicates that there is some support, at an ecological level, for the hypothesized association between ovarian cancer incidence rates and pulp and paper production. Citation Format: Carol L. Hanchette, PhD. OVARIAN CANCER AND PULP AND PAPER MANUFACTURING IN THE US: A GEOSPATIAL ANALYSIS [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 11th Biennial Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium; Sep 12-13, 2016; Seattle, WA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2017;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr AP03.