14.5 Mapping and geographical variation

Pancreatic cancer had a strong geographical pattern which was similar for men and women (Maps 14.1-14.3).

This consisted of a fairly smooth gradient, from the area of lowest risk in the north-east to the area of highest risk in the south-west (Map 14.1), highest around Cork city for men (Map 14.2) and centred on north Kerry in women, for whom there were also some areas of higher risk in Donegal (Map 14.3). The variation in risk was more pronounced for women than for men.

Map 14.1 Pancreatic cancer, smoothed relative risks: both sexes

Map 14.2 Pancreatic cancer, smoothed relative risks: males

Map 14.3 Pancreatic cancer, smoothed relative risks: females