Medico-geographical atlas of Russia “Cancer risk factors”

Abstract

The fight against cancer remains on the agenda to preserve the health of the Russian population and improve their quality of life. One of the methods of scientific analysis of the causes of the appearance and spread of cancer has become a complex system mapping with extensive use of geospatial statistics methods. Currently, the creation of cancer atlases is widely practiced in different countries of the world, which indicates their demand as an effective tool for research of the epidemiological search. No less significant is their role in educating and mobilizing the population to improve the environmental situation and, in some cases, to obtain specific practical knowledge in solving the problems that have arisen. One of the most pressing problems of modern fundamental medicine and, in particular, oncology, the solution of which is aimed at preventing cancer, is the establishment of risk factors and links between their effects and cancer. Risk factors are behavioral, biological, genetic, environmental, social, environmental, residential and work environment potentially hazardous to human health, which increase the likelihood of developing diseases, their progression and unfavorable outcome. To study risk factors on the territory of the Russian Federation, the Faculty of Geography of Lomonosov Moscow State University with the support of the Russian Geographical Society is working on the creation of the Medico-Geographical Atlas of Russia “Cancer risk factors”. The atlas is included in a series of previously published medico-geographical atlases of Russia, prepared by the faculty with the assistance of the Russian Geographical Society [2015; 2017; 2019]. The article presents the preliminary results of the preparation of the Atlas. At present, familiarization with domestic and foreign experience in the development of cancer atlases issues has been carried out; the concept of the Atlas was developed. In accordance with it, the structure and content of the Atlas was formed. The sources for the development of the Atlas were cartographic materials available on various media; statistical data for 2000–2021; the results of public surveys on the provision of medical care in oncology; original author’s development of a number of topics; numerous publications on the identification and work with cancer risk factors. Employees of leading oncological organizations are involved in the work on the Atlas: Federal State Budgetary Institution “National Medical Research Center of Oncology named after N.N. Blokhin” of the Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow Research Institute of Oncology named after P.A. Herzen and others.