The construction and use of the electric atlas of cancer mortality and incidence in Taiwan

Objective: To construct an electric atlas of cancer mortality (1972-2001) and incidence (1995-1998) in Taiwan by using a Geographic Information System (GIS). Methods: Three sets of color maps were made based on "Age-Adjusted Mortality by Rate", "Age-Adjusted Mortality by Rank" and "Imputed Poisson Trend Surface". For the production of the electric atlas, the Visual Basic (version 6.0) and Map Objects LT (version 2.0) software were used to integrate the three sets of color maps. Results: The electric atlas provides the information with regard to the population density, birth rate, ethnic distribution, geology, topography, soil and mortality/incidence rate, with a series of functions buttons including Zoom In, Zoom Out, Pan, Auto Identify, Zoom to Full Extent, mortality/incidence switch button, sex button, index button, international comparison, age-specific rate, secular trend of cancer mortality, legend and print button. Conclusion: The electric atlas is a cheap and fast tool. The electric atlas integrates various cancer maps. Therefore, it becomes more powerful for examining spatial patterns, quicker for comparing the various maps, and easier for updating and identifying the data. Using the electric atlas in Taiwan could elucidate the risk factors of cancer.