5.5 Mapping and geographical variation

Although the geographical variation in relative risk was fairly modest, there were distinct areas of higher relative risk for colorectal cancer for both men and women (Maps 5.1-5.3).

The pattern for both sexes combined showed a higher relative risk around Cork city and county, with a diffuse pattern in the north extending in a band from Donegal across to Dublin and to a lesser extent in south Waterford and Wexford (Map 5.1).

The pattern for men also showed higher relative risk around Cork and extending south-west, with a second area of higher relative risk in the east, centred on Louth, Meath, Dublin, Newry and Mourne and Down (Map 5.2). There were some smaller areas of higher risk in Waterford, Wexford, Mayo and Derry.

For women, areas of higher risk were principally in the north between east Donegal and north-east Louth, as well as in Dublin city and in Cork city and surrounds. Areas of low relative risk were mostly located in the west (Map 5.3).