9.5 Mapping and geographical variation

Stomach cancer had a strong geographical pattern with lower relative risk in most of the south and west of Ireland and higher relative risk in parts of the north (Maps 9.1-9.3).

For both sexes combined, the main area of higher relative risk extended northwards from Dublin as far as the border counties and west into the midlands (Map 9.1). There were also isolated areas of higher risk in Donegal, Belfast, Antrim, north Lisburn, Kerry and Connacht.

The pattern for men was similar to that for both sexes combined (Map 9.2).

For women, the main area of higher relative risk extended in a band from Dublin to Donegal, excluding the north-east of NI, but including Belfast, south Antrim, north Lisburn, Ards and parts of Down. Comparatively high relative risk was also found in western parts of Galway, west Cork and west Kerry (Map 9.3).

Map 9.1 Stomach cancer, smoothed relative risks: both sexes