Cancer Data Visualization: Developing Tools to Serve the Needs of Diverse Stakeholders

Abstract

Purpose of review To describe how cancer data visualization tools can catalyze novel research and inform local cancer control planning. Recent findings In recent years, cancer centers across the nation have increasingly embraced geospatial tools to respond to the unique distributions of disease and multilevel risk factors within their catchment areas. Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami, Florida, recently developed a publicly available, interactive, web-based cancer data visualization tool called SCAN360. Using SCAN360 as an example, we discuss key considerations and challenges for the development of cancer data visualization tools that serve the needs of stakeholders in community, academic and government settings. Summary Cancer data visualization tools are useful for stakeholders from diverse sectors and may facilitate a range of cancer control efforts, from identifying regions for targeted outreach and engagement, to informing the allocation of resources for government and community initiatives, and motivating collaborative, interdisciplinary cancer research.

Hyperlocal disparities in breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening: An ecological study of social vulnerability in Miami-Dade county

“…The flexibility of our approach also has practical implications for adaptation to unique, diverse geographies such as rural communities, which composite social vulnerability metrics consistently highlight as more vulnerable than urban areas. These data also reinforce the need for geographically-targeted health equity interventions such as Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Game Changer Vehicle, an air-conditioned motorhome equipped with private rooms for consultation, cancer screening, and multimedia education, which is strategically stationed in at-risk communities on a routine basis ( Bispo et al, 2022 ). Future community-based participatory research to elucidate which interventions to reduce disparities would be well-received will improve our understanding of how to best translate social vulnerability research to equitable healthcare practice.…”

Developing Catchment Area Data Dashboards for Cancer Centers: A Stakeholder- engaged Approach

“…Each end-user can leverage the information to further strengthen their mission and/or to make collective data-driven decisions. 14 Based on spatial patterns observed in the data, community outreach, and engagement staff can target geographic areas in need of intervention. 5 Such activities could be tailored further by understanding the sociodemographic composition of the target communities.…”

LionVu: A Data-Driven Geographical Web-GIS Tool for Community Health and Decision-Making in a Catchment Area

“…Between 1971–2016, the peer-reviewed literature has at least one affiliation in one or more author within a NCI-designated Cancer Centers [ 5 ]. Cancer data visualization tools needs to include academic, governmental, or community stakeholders with some knowledge of GIS, while safeguarding ethical concerns [ 6 ]. Specifically, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) limits the use of personally identifiable health information (PHI) for research purposes.…”

“…However, the FOA provided limited guidance and was difficult for reviewers to review the grant applications [4]. Moreover, the catchment area can be defined by the cancer center, which can range from smaller than a single county to over 200 counties, with the total NCI catchment area encompassing approximately 2.4 million square miles (6,215,971,464,810 m 2 ) [1].…”