4.5 Mapping and geographical variation

The geographical variation in relative risk of breast cancer was fairly modest (Maps 4.1-4.3).

Taking 1995-2007 overall, areas of higher relative risk existed around Dublin and Newry and Mourne and, to a lesser extent, Down, North Down, Ards, Limavady, and much of Munster (Map 4.1).

In the period 1995-2001, the areas of higher risk were in the major urban areas of east Belfast (including North Down), Dublin, Cork and Derry, and also in Limavady, Down, Ards and Castlereagh (Map 4.2).

In 2002-2007 the variation was somewhat more pronounced, with areas of higher relative risk extending in a band from Newry and Mourne to Dublin (Map 4.3). Areas in the west and north-west had consistently low relative risks throughout.

Map 4.1 Breast cancer, smoothed relative risks: females 1995-2007